Top Five DIY Home Investments That Pay Off For Sellers

If you’re planning on selling in the coming months, you might be thinking of home renovation projects that could help boost the resale value of your family’s home. Rather than allocating substantial savings to major upgrades, consider these five DIY quick fixes that are rewarding home investments.

Curb appeal starts at the front door

When it comes to impressing home buyers, it’s important to make a first impression that stands out from other properties on the market. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by painting the front door in a color that pops. Rather than opting for traditional black or white, choose a shade that makes the entry to your home warm and welcoming for potential buyers. From bold reds to optimistic yellows or even calming greens, the right color can make all the difference.

Invest in planet conscious solutions

Within the past five years we’ve witnessed a shift in the home buying market as Millennials demonstrate significant changes in home buying behavior. Anna DeSimone, author of Housing Finance 2020, recently shared with Forbes, “Millennials are environmentally conscious, and are seeking energy conservation, open spaces, walking trails and sustainability in their home choices.” This call for environmentally conscious, energy-saving devices from prospective home buyers is one that pays off for sellers, too. According to a recent survey of home sales, about 60% of new home shoppers are willing to pay more for smart home features.*

One of the easiest ways to increase the resale value of your home is to replace your old thermostat with an ENERGY STAR® certified ecobee smart thermostat. It saves homeowners up to 23%¹ annually on heating and cooling costs, and ecobee customers have saved over 17.6 TWh of energy to date. That’s the annual equivalent of saving enough energy to take all the homes in Las Vegas off the grid for a year.

In terms of installation, everything you need is included right in the box, and free expert support is available if you need it through Customer Support.

Update your kitchen cabinets

While remodeling your kitchen would likely increase the selling price, it can also be an expensive and stressful task. The key is prioritizing each home renovation to ensure you achieve the highest ROI when it’s time to sell.

If your kitchen could use a design refresh, we suggest starting with a makeover moment that won’t break your budget, like the kitchen cabinets. Reimagine them with a new coat of paint, or refinished surfaces, and swap out the hardware to add modern appeal. Depending on how organized your family can keep things during open houses, you might even try taking the doors off completely. It’s a quick and easy total transformation that highlights beautiful dishes or glassware in an inviting way.

Embrace the Om zone

Industry trends indicate home buyers are seeking domestic spaces that reflect one’s well-being. This includes eco-friendly, Zen-like areas that help people practice meditation, find their best yoga stretch, or simply curl up with a good book.

Dedicating areas to these kinds of lifestyle choices doesn’t require ample space. Start by decluttering your home to make room for inspiring possibilities that will make potential home buyers envision your home as an oasis for their interests and passions.

Showcase the green space

Since we’re always digitally connected, people are placing increased value on backyards where they can unwind, recharge and get back to nature’s simplest pleasures.

No matter how large or small your outdoor space is, celebrate what your home has to offer with thoughtful solar lights and patio furniture to bring the comfort of the indoors outside. It’s amazing how much people appreciate simple touches, such as colorful flower boxes or a well-manicured lawn, to help them visualize a new beginning in your home, no green thumb required.

* John Burns Real Estate Consulting, LLC Independent survey of 16% of all new home sales (Aug-17).

¹Compared to a hold of 72°F/22°C.