10 Simple DIY Projects to Give Your Home Equity a Boost

If you’re thinking of selling some time in the near future, you might want to take a look around and pinpoint areas that could use some improvement. Making some updates around the house can add some extra value to your home that you can recoup when it comes time to sell.

No matter what your budget might happen to be, there are projects you can tackle yourself to add a little extra equity to your home.

1. New Front Door

If your front door is tired-looking, you might want to reface it. But you can add even more value to your home by replacing it altogether, especially if you swap your old door for an esthetically-appealing, durable steel door. They’re not as expensive as you might think, given the material used.

In fact, you can probably snag one for as little as $150. Of course, you can always spend a lot more for something more elaborate, but the point is that a new steel front door can give your home’s curb appeal the boost it needs to bring up the value of your home. If you can handle this job on your own, you can save a few hundred dollars in installation costs, which will help keep more money in your pocket.

2. New Garage Door

While you’re replacing the front door, you might want to consider replacing your garage door too. These components play a key role in curb appeal, which is critical to the perceived value of your home. You might want to think about changing your old garage door for a new model and set it up with a motorized garage door opener too (if you don’t already have one).

While you might want to get some assistance from a friend or neighbor to install your new garage door, you can recoup as much as 150% on the cost of the material.

3. Clean Exterior

If your home’s exterior walls are covered in grime or have become discolored over the years, you can breathe some life into them with a good power wash. If cleaning the exterior isn’t enough to brighten them, you might want to go so far as to paint them. Even if you have to pay someone to tackle this job for you, it’s still rather affordable in terms of remodeling and can help make your home look like new.

4. Updated Landscaping

Before you tackle the interior, take a close look at your home’s landscaping. As mentioned earlier, curb appeal speaks volumes in terms of perceived value, so anything you can do to grab attention – in a good way – can help add some equity to your home.

For starters, get rid of any clutter that may have accumulated, including dead leaves, kids’ toys, or shoes on the front porch. Trim the bushes, cut the grass, plant some flowers, and fix any loose stones or bricks along the walkway. If the driveway is full of cracks and potholes, have them filled and give the surface a new coat of asphalt.

It may take a full weekend of work, but a refreshed landscaping job can do wonders at adding value to your property.

5. New Fixtures

You’d be surprised at how much of a difference little things like door knobs and electrical outlets make to the overall look of a space. Swapping your old fixtures and hardware for newer, more modern ones can give your home just enough of a facelift to add a little value to it.

Assess all of the light fixtures, curtain rods, door handles, and light switches, and see if they could use some updating. Making some changes can make a dramatic difference in how your home looks and how it is perceived by buyers.

6. Crown Molding

The addition of crown molding at the joints between the walls and ceilings can add an element of luxury at a reasonable price. And the installation process is actually quite easy and shouldn’t require the help of a paid assistant. Most home improvement stores carry crown molding in various designs. All you need to do is measure your space, cut the molding to size, and affix it with a nail gun.

7. Freshly Painted Walls

Perhaps the easiest and most cost-effective way to add equity to your home is to simply give the walls a fresh coat of paint. In fact, a new paint job can recoup as much as 300% after paying for a few cheap buckets of paint and rollers. Newly painted walls can give a home a new and updated look, which can go a long way at impressing buyers. Just make sure to fix any dents first and paint in a neutral tone in order to make your home more attractive to a larger group of buyers.

8. New Window Treatments

Any old-fashioned drapes or cheap plastic blinds that are covering your windows are just taking away from the esthetics of your home. If your window treatments could use an update, consider making some changes to improve the looks of your windows and potentially even let more natural light in, which is always a good thing. This simple improvement can go a long way at improving the looks of your home, which buyers will notice.

9. Restored Hardwood Flooring

Many older homes have hardwood flooring, even if they’re covered with wall-to-wall carpeting. Whether your home has exposed hardwood or floors that are hidden from sight, restoring and refinishing them can bring back some gleam and luster that your home’s floors have been lacking. While it’s a messy job, sanding down your hardwood floors and refinishing them can all be done yourself with the right tools.

By restoring your hardwood flooring, you can add plenty of value to your home, which will make the job well worth it in the end. And if your home doesn’t have any hardwood, consider installing them with click-lock hardwood planks, which can also be done all on your own.

10. Refaced Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is undoubtedly the most important room in the home and its condition and style can either add or take away a lot of value. If your kitchen cabinets leave much to be desired, it may be time for a makeover.

While you could replace the cabinet doors altogether with a newer, more modern material, you can also save a little money by sanding them down and repainting them instead. All you need to do is remove the doors and all hardware, clean out the cabinets, and get yourself some paint or stain in the color of your choice for a completely revamped look – and more value – to your kitchen.

The Bottom Line

There are tons of different projects that can add immense value to a home, but many of them are super expensive can don’t bring in much of an ROI. On the other hand, there are plenty of little DIY projects you can tackle on your home that can add value without breaking the bank. In the end, you can recoup any money spent on these improvements – and then some – to make the sale of your home even more profitable.