When it comes to selling your house in northwestern Wisconsin, you first need to understand the actual value of your house. Even if you think you have a pretty good idea of your home’s value, the most accurate way to get an idea of the real number is to have your home appraised by a professional.

For the most part, every house has specific improvements that can raise the property value. While your unique situation and budget will dictate your own path forward, they might include anything from DIY upkeep to major renovations. But what do professionals look for when assessing a home’s value? Here are some of the most common upgrades that are worth the effort.

 
A few things to consider before upgrading

When you’re thinking of upgrading your home before selling, you’ll first need to determine your budget. How much money do you want to spend on improvements? The cost of making home improvements can range from nearly free (say, power-washing your house) to a major investment, like energy-efficiency upgrades.

The projects you choose will depend on your available time as well. Do you have a few months before you plan to put your house up for sale, or are you aiming for ASAP?

Finally, what’s the return on investment (ROI)? Some projects are spendier than others, but a great ROI might make it worth your time.

7 ways to increase your home’s appraisal value

As you’re planning your projects, remember to keep the buyer in mind. Take a look at your home: what will they notice first? What upgrades will make the biggest difference? Here are 7 of the most effective ways to increase a home’s value:

1. One thing that can set your house apart from the rest is by investing time in improving your landscaping and curb appeal. Small improvements like a new mailbox or updated house numbers can make a real difference in a buyer’s perception of your house — after all, if you can’t take care of a mailbox, what’s the inside going to be like? Making a great first impression matters.

   In the same vein, be sure to keep your lawn manicured and gardens well-kept. If your landscaping could use a refresh, consider a consultation with a local gardener. You can hire a full-service landscaping company if you want to put it in the hands of professionals or keep costs down by planting and maintaining your lawn and garden yourself.

2. Another way to improve the value of your home is to add more living space. This can mean anything from finishing an attic or basement to adding a bedroom or bathroom — the more bedrooms and bathrooms, the higher the appraisal value of your house.

   If you have the room, consider adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property. It’s a popular option for those who want extra space for guests or a separate home office or gym. ADUs are not inexpensive, but the additional square footage and flexibility of the space make it a great investment.

3. Putting on a fresh coat of paint is an easy way to up your property value. Both indoor and outdoor surfaces can benefit from a fresh coat of paint, and it’s a quick and affordable way to spruce up the place. Most Realtors recommend painting interior walls a neutral shade of gray, beige, or white. This simple project can improve the overall feel of your home, as well as make small rooms seem more spacious.

   It can get expensive to repaint the exterior of your home, but even a quick power-washing can make a huge difference. If you have the time and money, installing stone veneer is one of the most popular ways to upgrade the look of your house.

4. No list of home improvements would be complete without mentioning a kitchen remodel. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and most buyers rate it very highly on their list of needs. There are countless ways to improve your kitchen, from embarking on a complete remodeling job, replacing the appliances, and adding an island to replacing the fixtures or countertops. The scale of the job depends entirely on your budget.

5. A great roof does more than just sit on top of your house: it’s essential to the structure of the house and a major element affecting the insulation (and efficiency) of your house. That’s why fixing a roof before putting your home on the market is a surefire way to sell faster and increase the value of your home.

6. If your home was constructed before digital assistants came onto the scene, you should consider investing in smart home technology. This is an option that can come in at many price points. For example, replacing your old light bulbs with LED bulbs that hook up to an Alexa is a fairly low-cost way to implement smart technology into your home. You might also try a thermostat that’s controlled by an app.

   If you’re investing in new appliances, there are many options to choose from. Would your kitchen remodel benefit from a smart oven that can preheat while the new owner’s on the way home from work? How about a refrigerator that can tell you how much milk is left? The options are endless.

7. One element that almost every buyer is looking for is energy efficiency. An easy way to get an idea of the type of projects that could improve your home’s energy efficiency is by setting up an appointment with your utility company. They can assess where your home is wasting energy and the upgrades that will save you the most money. They might recommend new seals on doors, double-glazing the windows, or replacing old and outdated appliances with new energy-efficient appliances.

Again, the projects you take on will depend on your budget and the level of effort you’re willing to put in. You must also consider what’s currently selling in your area — do potential buyers want more outdoor space? Improved energy efficiency? Be sure to discuss any major changes with your Realtor before you start knocking down any walls.

Raise the value of your northwest Wisconsin home appraisal

If you’re looking to improve your home’s appraisal value, you need advice from a trustworthy source. At Northwest Wisconsin Realty, we work with you to maximize the value of your Hayward, Cable, or Winter home by telling you what’s selling — and what’s not. Reach out to our Realtors today to get started on improving your home’s appraisal price!