What are some cheap or easy upgrades/repairs that add the most value to a home?

Question

I was curious as to what kinds of upgrades add the most value to a home be it adding a bathroom, adding a bedroom, drywalling a garage, etc. In terms of the answers I was hoping to find out what is the most economical as far as adding the most value with the least amount of cost or work to do the repair or addition.

Answer 1

If you have a yard, the best upgrade you can do is keep a healthy lawn. Sprinkle grass seed, keep it mowed, plant some bushes or shrubs.

Dry walling a garage wouldn't add much value (and I don't really see the point unless you store temperature-sensitive things in there), the insulation wouldn't be utilized effectively.

Painting the walls is another good one, and replacing the carpet. The most major work I would ever do is replacing the plumbing, but only if the pipes are corroded.

Answer 2

Look at it this way, if your home is in average to good condition then there is not a lot you can do to add value. The value of your home is based on the homes of similar style, GLA (gross living area above grade) similar age and condition within 1 mile of your home and that have sold within the past 6 months. If you add a bathroom, it will cost you between $15-25K and you will only get back 4K on an appraisals. If you have a 2 bedroom and and a 3rd it will get you about $2500. Little things like light fixtures and small item add little or no value but make your home easier to sell  

Answer 3

If you only have one bathroom, a second one (or even a half bath) is a great upgrade - it may cost you money to do, but the return on the value of your home will be worth it.

Answer 4

Landscaping, ceiling fans, bathroom  and kitchen upgrades such as refinishing vanities and cabinets .  New fixtures are simple do it yourself stuff that make a real difference.

Answer 5

The cheapest and easiest is a clean fresh coat of paint and maybe new carpet, dont have alot of clutter and use neutral colors to attract everyone. Adding a bedroom is great but thats going to cost, just neaten things up a bit.

Answer 6

A fresh coat of paint and landscaping normally will add a little value to a house.

To add real value to a home up grade the kitchen and bath rooof A bath should cost between 5-6K and a kitchen about 5-8K depending on what you do and if you do some or all the work yourself.

The next thing to add additional value is to add a bath to the master bedroom if one is not there currently.

The other way is to add another bedroom and bath to the existing house. This will get you the maximum value for your property. This works on house that have 1-2 bedrooms and one bath.

One thing you must remember no matter what you do, do not over build for the area. In other words if houses in the neighboorhood are going for $350,000 don't build a $425,000 house because you will not be able to get compts to support your value.    

I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck.

"FIGHT ON"