Weekend DIY Projects to Improve Your Home Value

The best home improvements are those that have a high return on the investment.  The National Association of Realtors offers the 2013-2014 cost vs. value  report with the Top 10 remodelling projects and their return. 
The report is based on the assumption that you're using professional labor to perform the remodel. You'll get an even higher return on your dollar, when it's time to sell your home, if you do the job yourself.
We've compiled our own list of DIY projects that buyers like, you'll enjoy in the meantime, and you can accomplish in a weekend. To keep it simple, we focused on two areas of the home that are key when it comes time to sell: the entryway and kitchen.

Upgrade Your Entry

As potential buyers walk up to your home, they can't help but notice the door. Upgrading to a new entry door is the perfect weekend DIY project. Even better, it's one of the projects listed on the Cost vs. Value Report, year after year, as a remodel that returns most of the investment upon the sale of a home.
According to the 2013-2014 Cost vs. Value Report, a replacement steel door recoups 96.6 percent of the investment.
However, the report factors in labor to determine how much of the cost is recouped. When you install the door yourself, your return can only be higher.
Even if you've never done anything similar, hanging a door isn't beyond your capabilities. Expect to spend less than a day on this project.

Touch Up the Kitchen

Everyone seems to gravitate to the kitchen, and many buyers consider it the most important room in a home.
Any single item on our list will make a noticeable difference in the feel and value of your kitchen.

Refinish your cabinetry. Modern veneer kits make resurfacing cabinet boxes fairly easy. Take off the doors and remove the drawers first. After installing the veneer, put new drawers in place. Add new knobs and pulls as well. The result: new-looking cabinets at a fraction of the cost.

Replace the counter tops. Depending on the new counter surface selected, replacing a counter top is fairly simple and not likely to take more than a day or two.

Install new sink hardware. A mid-priced sink and new faucet freshen up the look of an older kitchen. Don't be afraid to try a different style or material.

Go shopping. New appliances can only increase your home value. Focus on ovens and cook tops that offer greater energy efficiency.

Focus on the flooring. As much traffic as the kitchen witnesses, the floor gets worn out easily. Consider installing new flooring to raise the value of your home.

When contemplating remodel projects, keep in mind that it's possible to over-improve a home, depending on the neighborhood and real estate market. Compare your home's features to those of nearby homes to get a better idea of what will prove valuable – or not – in your area.

Call us anytime for advice on making improvements!

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Direct: 519-495-1541
Email: richardthyssen@kw.com
www.thyssengroup.com