Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living - Issue 5 | Page 24

definite investment
greenbook
J. Melvin Premier properties

Home Improvement Ideas that

Increase Home Value
By Darryl Crosby

Preparing a home for the
market can seem like a fulltime job—without the paycheck. While upgrades can
increase your home’s value
and speed up its sale, it’s
easy to spend more on home
improvement than you will
recoup when you sell.

greenbook | spring 2015

Fortunately, it’s not usually
necessary to invest in major
projects like a full kitchen remodel to make your house attractive to buyers. Let’s take
a look at some minor tweaks
you can make to your home
that will increase its value
when it’s time to sell, without
breaking the bank.

24

Take your home from
shabby to sensational with
surface upgrades
The lived-in look is perfectly
acceptable for a home, until

it goes on the market. Shabby,
stained or scratched-up surfaces
can keep buyers from seeing your
home’s real charm.
A few simple cosmetic upgrades
can make all the difference.
Power-wash the exterior. Vinyl,
brick, concrete, wood decks and
other exterior surfaces can start
to look dingy and drab after years
of collecting airborne dust. A quick
power wash will make them look
fresh and attractive again.
Patch and paint. A simple coat of
paint can make a shabby-looking
room bright and appealing.
Taking the little bit of extra time
to patch cracks and nail holes will
make your paint job look even
cleaner. When choosing paint,
go for neutral colors for the
majority of the house. Warm
whites, tans and grays will allow prospective buyers to see the

home, not just the walls.
However, don’t be afraid to
include a colored accent wall or
two, or a little color on the
bathroom walls. This can add a bit
of character to your home and help
it stand out in people’s minds. Just
don’t go overboard with wild color.
Soft blues, greens and teals are
generally safe; pink and
orange are good colors to avoid.
Replace caulk. When you are
selling your home, try to keep it
looking as pristine as possible. Old
caulk frequently looks stained and
unsightly even if it’s clean. This
can detract from the
appearance of your kitchen or
bathroom. Replacing the caulk
around your tub and sinks is an
inexpensive fix that will really
improve the appearance of these
important rooms.
Refinish wood surfaces. Natural
wood is warm, inviting and