Home prices in Southwest Florida have increased over the last few years. That growth has slowed a bit lately, but properties are still more expensive then they used to be in our area. Also, interest rates are still much higher than in recent years. This all makes buying a new home in SWFL more difficult because it slashes your buying ability. And when it gets harder to buy a new home many people start investing in their own home instead. This allows you as a homeowner to improve and enjoy the home you already have. It also helps increase the value of your home. But not every improvement will increase the value of your Southwest Florida house. Below we share some ways how to add value to your home, ranging from easy and low-cost to more involved.
Simple Ways to Add Value to Your Home
When it comes to increasing home value most people think big. Things like renovating a kitchen and bathrooms or adding space are top of mind. Some of these are very worthwhile. But, not everyone has the money, time, or ability to do major renovations. But that is okay. There are many ways to add value to your home without breaking the bank or tearing your home apart. Here are a few that most folks can tackle without a big budget or a ton of time.
Exterior and Interior Paint Have a Dramatic Effect
Adding fresh paint to your interior and exterior spaces has a huge return on investment. In fact, it might be one of the best ROI items when it comes to increasing your home’s value.
Compared to many other home improvements paint is affordable and easy. Even if you decide to pay someone to do it for you, you can get huge results for a very modest investment.
Why?
Fresh paint makes your home look cleaner, newer, and more inviting. Paint can transform your home. It has the power to turn plain and boring spaces into something more modern, inviting, or exciting.
Even if you go with a simple color scheme it will make your home look cleaner, newer, and more appealing.
In summary, new paint is a great way to boost your home’s value without spending a lot.
Boost Your Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is what catches people’s eyes when they pass by your home. It gets attention and makes your home stand out vs others. In turn, it makes prospective buyers want to see it. That is why boosting your curb appeal will also help add to your home’s value.
Paint is one we mentioned above. Adding new exterior paint is a great start when it comes to boosting your home’s curb appeal.
Other simple and affordable things include adding new plants and landscaping features. For example, you can add concrete or brick edging to your flower beds. This is a great way to enhance your home’s landscape. Then adding mulch or decorative stone to your flower beds is another great step. Plants help add color and can act as focal points to your landscape. And shrubs and trees help you to fill in your yard and add substance.
Home Improvements that Add Value and Enjoyment
If you are selling your home you may be looking for ways to boost its value to maximize your sales proceeds. But what about if you are planning on staying in your home, even for a little while? If so, making improvements that both increase value and make your home enjoyable is a win-win. You will be able to enjoy your home while you are there. And when you decide to sell your home the improvements will help you get more for it.
Below are some of the best improvements that increase both value and enjoyment to your home.
Relax & Enjoy Summer with a Pool
Does a pool add value to your home? In some geographic areas a pool may not add value. In fact, it could even reduce the value of your home. But, here in Southwest Florida it is much more likely that adding an inground pool will increase the value of your home.
The reason is understandable. Southwest Florida is a perfect place to have a pool. You can use a pool here for most of the year. This is unlike some other areas where you may only be able to use it for a few months a year. So that means buyers look for Southwest Florida homes that have an inground pool. And buyers will pay a premium for houses that have one.
The best thing about adding a pool is that you will be able to enjoy it. Having a nice kitchen or bathroom is amazing. Do not get us wrong. But you could make an argument that a pool in SWFL may offer the most enjoyment of any improvement on this list.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Spaces
Improving your outdoor space(s) will help attract more buyers. It will also make your home more enjoyable. Having an outdoor oasis is something that makes your home more appealing. We do not mean you have to build a water park in your backyard. But things like adding a patio or refreshing your patio are worthwhile. You want to focus on improvements that make your outdoor spaces more attractive and enjoyable to use.
Upgrading finishes in your Kitchen and Baths
These rooms are generally viewed as make or break rooms when valuing or selling your home. Buyers will weed out homes online by looking at pictures of these spaces. This means if your kitchen and bathrooms are not up to snuff you may lose buyers before they even walk in the door.
These are also two areas of a home that most people spend a lot of time. So there is a big opportunity to increase your enjoyment in your home by upgrading these areas. And if you sell your home, you will have boosted its value.
But here is an important thought. A lot of people go overboard with renovating these rooms. So is it better to do a full-on renovation, or should you make select improvements?
Depending on their condition your kitchen and bath(s) may be due for a total renovation. But, in a lot of cases you do not have to completely re-do (or overdue) these rooms to add value to your home. In fact, upgrading your finishes may be the best way to both add value and increase your enjoyment.
What are some examples of upgraded finishes for a kitchen? Well, you can upgrade your countertops and reface your cabinet doors. You can also repaint your cabinet boxes and update your cabinet hardware. Updating your kitchen faucet is also a great tactic. It could also be things like replacing or upgrading your appliances. All these improvement items can have a great return.
The same goes for your bathroom. You can upgrade your bathroom flooring, vanity and hardware. These can have a huge impact at a lower cost vs a complete renovation.
This work will increase the value of your home by making it more appealing. It will also increase your enjoyment while spending time in these areas.
Home Improvements that Add Value and Peace of Mind
Next are improvements that add value to your home while also increasing your peace of mind. These are generally higher cost than other items, but they also have a lot of benefits.
Reinforce and Improve Your Roof
An old or compromised roof can cause several issues in Southwest Florida. You, and anyone who buys your home will want to ensure that your roof is structurally sound and up to code. If it is in poor condition or too old you may not be able to insure the home. And if it is in poor condition (or not up to code) you may be at risk of serious damage during a hurricane.
If your roof is past its usable or insurable life then replacing it may be necessary. Your insurance company may make this decision for you if it is not insurable.
A new roof is a good way to both protect your home and add to its value. Why? The number of buyers who will be willing or able to buy your house and then incur the cost of a roof will be small. Replacing the roof will expand your buyer pool and allow the buyer to insure the home.
There are also some improvements that may not add significant value. But they will ensure your home is more protected and limit the repair costs of a hurricane. This includes upgrading your roof’s attachment so it is up to code. Also you can add secondary water protection. Both of these will increase protection and may provide insurance discounts.
Hurricane Protection
If you live in South or Southwest Florida then hurricane protection is a must. And yes storm protection products are an investment. But still there are many reasons why they are one of the best improvements you can make here in SWFL.
Adding hurricane shutters and/or impact windows will add value to your home. But even more they will also protect your home and family. That protection and peace of mind is one reason buyers look for it. It is also the reason why homes with it have a higher value.
Here are some reasons why hurricane shutters and impact windows add value to a home in Florida:
- Protect your home, family, and provide peace of mind
- Prevent major damage and help reduce repairs caused by hurricanes
- Provide security protection, which reduces theft and increases peace of mind
- Buyers in Southwest Florida value homes that have hurricane protection. It is one less thing a buyer has to add after the sale.
- Hurricane protection can set your home apart from other homes that do not have any. If all else is equal a buyer will chose the home with shutters or impact glass vs one that does not have any.
- Impact glass and decorative hurricane shutters can boost your home’s curb appeal. this will help make your home more appealing and attractive.
Learn more about how impact windows increase home value and hurricane shutters increase home value here in Southwest Florida.
