Whether you are looking to increase your property's value before selling, or you just want to improve your living space, getting started on home improvements can be daunting. You may be asking yourself, “How do I implement home improvements to increase the value of my house without breaking the bank or committing to long-term building projects?”
 
 We have a simple 6 step plan you can easily implement to increase your homes value.
 
Minimize your clutter to maximize your visual space
 
 If you have pets and children, or even if you don't, you know how quickly clutter can get out of hand. But a clutter free home appears cleaner and larger and this quickly translates into increased value as it becomes more attractive to potential buyers. They want to view a clean, clutter free house and to be able to imagine themselves and their belongings inside it. Like cleaning, decluttering your home is an easy way to immediately increase your home's appeal and it costs next to nothing to achieve. Ultimately your goal is to visually increase the space that your home offers. A clutter free house is easier to keep clean, and costs you nothing.
 
Do a deep clean
 
 A bright and sparkly home can attract buyers like a magnet. A house can never be too clean. If you were a buyer, would you choose the house that is slightly dingy or the home down the street that is clean and welcoming? Let's face it, family homes become messy in no time, especially in areas like the bathroom and kitchen. Another great benefit of cleaning your house is that you can also give your home a quick audit while you clean in order to make a list of things big and small that need fixing. And any of these small jobs such as fixing fixtures or holes are that much easier when you are working in a clean and clear space.
 
Reinvent your interiors with fresh paint
 
 If you want to transform a room, nothing is quite as effective in terms of both time and money as a paint job. 
 
 Choose your colors wisely. A recent study shows that by going for a calm, neutral color like grays, beige, whites and off-whites, lighter colors, this will reflect the light and help to create a sense of space. They also allow prospective buyers to imagine themselves in the space.
 
 Kitchens:
 In kitchens, look into the general category of interior wall paints, but avoid flat or other types of matte paints, as they can be difficult to wipe down. While satin or eggshell sheens are popular, some homeowners concerned about maintenance even opt for semi-gloss sheen in their kitchen. 
 
 Bathrooms:
 Because of bathrooms' moisture, the need for wipe-ability is even greater than in the kitchen. Paints with glossier shines have a tighter molecular structure than flat paints, making it more difficult for moisture to penetrate.
 
 Living Rooms and Bedrooms:
 Living rooms and bedrooms are low-impact areas and can use any kind of paint you wish. Most homeowners though go for flat, satin, or eggshell latex paints. 
 
Attractive curb appeal for an attractive offer.
 
 A large percentage of home buyers decide whether to look inside a house or pass based on curb appeal. The way the house looks on the outside from the street. You can ensure they want to come inside your house by spending some time working on its exterior appearance. 
 
 Owners and buyers don't look at a house the same way. Owners often can't see their house's faults. Decide to stop thinking of the property as a home. It's a house that you want to sell for the highest dollar possible. 
 
 They say that you only get one chance to make a first impression, so you definitely want to make a great first impression. Start by assessing the overall curb appeal of your house as if you were a buyer. Make a list of the issues that you need to address, such as broken downspouts and missing roof shingles. 
 
 The first step to enhancing your curb appeal is to give the front of your house a face-lift. 
 
 Here's a sample checklist:
 
 Clean windows and gutters.
 Wash driveway and decks.
 Reseal driveway
 Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
 Mow and clean the lawn.
 Trim tree limbs near or touching the house to maximize the homes visual.
 
 Pay special attention to the front door and garage. A fresh coat of paint does wonders for a tired looking front door and garage.  
 
Eliminate dull or harsh lighting
 
 Nothing kills a mood faster than bad lighting. A quick and affordable fix is to install new light bulbs if your current ones are weak and not giving a bright view.
 
 Lighting is particularly important in the bathroom, where it should be warm and bright. 
 
 The kitchen is usually the heart of the home for many buyers. This is another room that can instantly be improved by tweaking the lighting, and new fixtures will give the room an updated feel for a reasonable cost. You could also consider replacing a central overhead light fixture with track lighting to allow you to direct light for particular tasks. You may also want to invest in LED under-cabinets lights to eliminate any dark corners.
 
 Also, don't forget the role that natural light plays in a house. Let it in by keeping your windows clean and ditching light-blocking window treatments. You can also maximize your light by hanging mirrors on adjacent or opposite walls to your window to reflect light and give the impression of more windows.
 
Freshly Scented House
 
 We all love our pets and they are an important part of family life, but let's face it, nobody ever welcomed a dog into the family in order to enhance the value of their property. Even so, you don't want the smell to be the thing that visitors remember when they leave. 
 
 If you have pets, keep them and all their accessories clean. Try to keep your pets off the furniture by creating space for them and providing them with easy-to-wash bedding. You can't stop your pet from shedding but you can take on the challenge of removing animal hair from furniture with a simple sponge wrapped in duct tape.
 
 If you have cats make sure you have at least one litter tray per animal and a good tip is to add baking soda to the litter to help control odors. Baking soda also works on carpets if you give them a good sprinkling before vacuuming.
 
 Pets are not the only cause of dubious smells, of course. And musty odors, which may indicate the presence of mildew or mold, give prospective buyers justified reason for concern. You can alleviate bad smells by simply airing your home regularly and investing in a dehumidifier to tackle areas with damp, but mold outbreaks need to be dealt with with a scrubbing brush or detergent. 
 
 If you have any questions please call us at 416-276-2150.