If you are concerned that your property might not be worth as much as you’d hope, then there are a few things you can do to help justify a higher price. If you own a home and want to retain its value, then consider the steps below for improvement.

Outdated or Unfashionable Furnishings

You might have your own personal taste and there is nothing wrong with this, but at the end of the day, some people have more of a unique taste than others. To appeal to the widest audience of buyers, you’re going to want your house to have a neutral and timeless design. This way, potential homebuyers can picture themselves in your home. Although the industry of interior design pushes things that are trendy, you have to remember that things do go off-trend, and they will soon be out of popularity again. You also need to make sure that you aren’t one of those people who are buying items and then not decorating again for several decades. If you decorated your kitchen in the early 2000’s, then you will probably need to have a bit of a do-over. If you want to make a positive difference here, then take the time to assess the damage. Figure out how many rooms need redecorating, or need to be renovated. You don’t have to do everything at once, but you do need to make sure that you’re aware of the work that needs doing and why. Get quotes for everything and make sure that you are not overlooking small costs as they can add up.

Structural Damage

If you believe that your home has structural damage, then this is another major concern. Structural damage has to be dealt with right away, as if you don’t then it can easily lead to even more expense later down the line. If you’re not sure if you have structural damage or not then look out for termites, or a roof that is sagging or leaving. Wall cracks or ceiling tracks are a concern, as is having a damp subfloor. You may have doors or windows that once fit but that don’t anymore, or crumbling concrete around the area. Don’t ignore buildings or extensions when assessing your home either, as they can also indicate that structural damage has occurred, even if your main property is not showing signs.

Pets

If you have pets then you may find that they also cause damage to your home, even without you realizing it. Even though dogs can look cute and they can have a lot of energy, you have to remember that they can also scratch and bite areas around the home. It may be that you also have muddy footprints to deal with, which can lead to your carpet wearing out. If you are thinking about getting your home valued, then you need to have a chat with a trusted friend. You need one who is not afraid to give you their true opinion. If this is the case then you can count on them to give you their honest opinion about the state of your home, if you have pets. Pet odor is one of the biggest deterrents for people when they view a home, so it is imperative that you take note of the smell of your pets too and that you take steps to deep clean and eliminate odor as much as possible. 

Area Issues

If you have several issues with the local area, then this can also cause your property value to deteriorate. Buyer demographics are just one thing that you need to think about. You also need to think of a housing surplus. If you own a three-bedroom house and you see that a property developer also wants to build another set of homes near you that have the same number of bedrooms then this will work against you. Other issues such as the closure of facilities, for example, employment amenities or even public services will affect you too. If you are targeting families then buyers often want to move to somewhere that has a good school. If you know that your local area doesn’t have a good school anymore then this is another factor that you need to consider. Although there is nothing you can do about this, you must keep it in mind when the time comes for you to value your home.

Economic Factors

The banking crisis has a huge influence on nearby properties. It still hasn’t fully recovered in places too. Many homeowners have been left out of pocket with things like mortgages that they cannot afford anymore. Interest rates can also affect the value of your property. If you notice that interest rates are going up then this could result in you getting a lower price for your home. The housing market works very much in tangent with the interest rate so make sure that you consider this when the time comes for you to sell your home.

Neglected Maintenance

Deferred or even neglected maintenance is a major issue. A small drip from a water heater might not seem like a big deal at all but when it leaks into your foundation, it may begin to crack. Hiring a plumber is essential here. Even if your systems function well today, you may find that over time they need to be maintained as well. If this is the case and you don’t do it, then you may find that it leads to a whole range of other issues which is just the last thing you need. Going through every part of your home and doing a general checkup is one of the best things you can do, to mention that it will help you to pinpoint issues that could occur later down the line. Old HVAC systems or even termite damage can be a major problem, and so can frayed electrical wires. Cracked driveways and leaky plumbing can also bring up several problems, which again, is the last thing you want. If you want to do something about this then be sure to get any home issues dealt with as soon as you can and take the time to look into making any repairs that have to be done as soon as possible.

Bad Home Improvements

Bad home improvements that are not done right, or that are not done to code will knock a significant amount of money off your home. Sometimes doing your home improvements can save money but only if you get the job done right. If you don’t do the job properly then you may find that your wallet takes a real beating. If building permits are forgotten about then \this could lead to things like code violations too. If you want to do something about this then you need to try and make sure that you are aware of what you have to meet and why. Only then can you take steps to stop issues from cropping up at a later date.

Neglected Roof

Over time, your roof will start to experience problems. If you feel as though your roof has seen better days, then one thing you can do is simply get it repaired. Although this may sound simple it’s not though, so make sure that you hire someone who knows what they’re doing. If you have leaks in your roof or if you can see missing shingles then this will work against you and you may even find that during a bad storm, you end up with expensive repairs. One way to work around this would be for you to get your home inspected regularly, so you can make sure that you’re not blowing money on a repair that could have been avoided.

Consult With A Real Estate Agent

Before you make any drastic changes to improve your home, it may be best to consult with a real estate agent who understands home values or at least get an estimate of your property’s value before you start spending. The main reason for this is so that you don’t go spending thousands on repairs or changes that won’t actually add value. As simple as that sounds, homeowners do it all the time. If you don’t know where to start, SimpleShowing can connect you with an agent for a free home valuation and consultation to make sure your money is going to the right things.