If you want to add the most value to your home, a full renovation will do it. However, such work can put a hole through your bank account. Plus, with the New Zealand housing market currently slumping, you don’t need to make immediate and flashy changes to your home. Right now, the best projects are the simple ones.
You should also consider that not every home improvement venture can enhance your home’s value. Digging up a new swimming pool or installing a new floor to your home is just a complete waste of time and money. So, what simple and affordable home improvement projects can you get into to improve the value of your property?
Improve Your Landscaping
A yard is a place where people and their loved ones can go to relax and soak up the sun. If it’s unkempt for, with weeds and dead grass all over the place, buyers will either look for another place or try to bargain for a lower price. Fortunately, you can put in some sweat equity and improve your landscape on your own.
Get rid of weeds
Weeds are invasive plants that feed off the nutrition of your grass and other plants. The best way to get rid of them is during their early period of growth. Their roots are still small and easy to pull out. Put some gloves on, get a claw rake, and extract weeds. Pull from the base, and if it’s too difficult to do, try to pry the root off with the claw rake.
Plant indestructible, yet beautiful plants
Not every homeowner has the time to tend to their plants. But plants only look great when they’re healthy and well-cared for. If you want to improve your landscape without the hassle of looking out for it constantly, low-maintenance and native plants are your best choice. There is a variety of them in New Zealand.
Sempervivums
These succulents can survive anything. Their name comes from the Latin words “semper,” which means “always” and “vivus,” meaning “living.” They’re so resilient that they’re known as Jupiter’s beard in Roman mythology and the plant of Thor in Nordic mythology. Their colors range from green, purple, bronze, red, and even gray. They only need full sunlight, proper soil drainage, and weekly watering during spring and summer.
Cosmos
These are annual plants that reach maturity within just two months. They stay in bloom for a long time. They come in various beautiful colors like yellow, orange, red, magenta, white, and even pastel pink. They only need full sun. Cosmos don’t need watering unless the soil is intensely dry.
Rosemary
Rosemary is beautiful, useful, and durable. They’re perennials, which means they live more than a year. It grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. Rosemary only needs to be watered once every one to two weeks.
Keep Your Lawn in Top Shape
If you haven’t been maintaining your lawn in a while, it might have developed thatch. Thatch is a layer of organic material that collects on your grass. It’s a combination of both living and dead plants. And it can restrict the flow of air and water on your turf, causing your grass to die. Rake these off regularly to keep your lawn healthy.
Add a Fresh Splash of Color
If you want your home to look fresher, a new coat of paint is your best bet. Not only does it improve the look of your place, but it’s also easy on the wallet. You can do it yourself with buckets of paint from your nearest home improvement store, a paint roller, and some plastic sheets to protect your furniture from paint. If you’re looking to sell your home in a few years, go for neutral yet attractive colors like green, beige, and other earth tones.
Update Your Fixtures
Outdated, rusty, and outright broken fixtures and lighting can be a dealbreaker for buyers. Luckily, they’re easy and cheap to improve. Start with your lighting. If you still use fluorescent bulbs and old switches, get an electrician to swap them out for LED bulbs and more tactile switches. As for your fixtures, you can install various modern bathroom vanities, showerheads, and mixers.
They won’t just add value to your home. They’ll improve your quality of life during your stay. Updated lighting shines brighter, and good fixtures keep your water pressure at a rate you want while also keeping your bills low.
Home improvements don’t have to be extravagant to add value. They need to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. These suggestions do just that. With a bit of sweat equity from landscaping and painting your walls and patience, you’ll have a beautiful home that buyers won’t hesitate to close a deal on.