Photo by Binyamin Mellish from Pexels

Did you know that, on average, Idaho homes increased by over 25 percent in some areas between 2020 and 2021? While this number is much higher than the national average, it does change from year to year, and investing in your home will always add value, whether the economy does or not.

Whether you are just moving into your first home or are looking to increase the value of your current home before you sell, there are many things that you can do to increase the value of your home. The following tips will help you determine how to approach making updates or renovations in order to get the best return on your investment.

Update Your Kitchen

Photo by tamil king from Pexels

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. If you’re planning on selling, it’s probably better to choose a timeless design rather than follow all the latest trends. With trend cycles moving faster than ever, you don’t want to risk your kitchen looking dated before it’s finished being painted.

A new countertop, a stylish sink and faucet, and a fresh coat of paint on your cabinets can all work wonders in bringing a dated kitchen to life without a major renovation.

If it’s in your budget, updated appliances can make a big impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen—and therefore your entire home. While you will need to shell out some money initially, think about it in terms of an investment that you’ll get back in an even higher volume when you sell your home.

Update Your Bathrooms

There is a reason why “your home is your castle.” With that in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising that buyers often feel better about a house when the bathrooms are updated. Some updates you can make to improve the look and function of your bathroom include:

• Installing new countertops

• Replacing old showerheads with newer models that reduce water and energy usage

• Replacing old flooring and sinks with new, updated models

• Painting walls and cabinets a fresh color

The key to making your updates shine is the quality of the materials you purchase. Lower-quality products may look okay at first glance, but they won’t hold up well over time —and that’s when things get expensive. Make sure to choose high-quality products for your home that will improve the look and functionality of your bathroom without causing you any future problems.

Install a New Roof

Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels

If you are planning on keeping your home for more than ten years, or you’re about to sell, it is important to remember that your roof does have an expiration date. Homeowners should plan on replacing their shingle roofs around every 20 years or so.

Replacing a roof doesn’t have to be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you hire the right professionals to take care of your project. Many contractors can show you conceptual photos before they even touch your roof to make sure you get exactly what you want when you want it.

For an estimate on what it would cost you to reshingle, inspect, or update your roof, get in touch with Jeremy or Blake over at Mighty Dog Roofing in SW Idaho.

Resurface Your Driveway & Patios

Idaho winters can be brutal. Frost heaves and cold temperatures can seriously reduce the life on an asphalt or concrete drive, causing cracks no matter how well it was leveled at installation.

If your driveway and patios are cracked, it’s time for a resurfacing. And while you can always pour new cement to make these surfaces look new, resurfacing is significantly less expensive. Resurfacing also prevents water from seeping into the cracks in your concrete due to changes in weather or temperature, which could cause further issues down the road.

Replace or Paint your Garage Door

Garage doors can be a pricey item to replace. If you have a wood garage door that is looking worn, consider having it painted or stained instead. Painting your garage door only costs a fraction of the cost to replace it and will give your house an immediate facelift without the cost or hassle of replacement.

If you do decide to replace your garage door, consider choosing an updated style that reflects the current trends in garage door styles. Garage doors are one of the biggest visual indicators of age on your home, so replacing them is an easy way to increase the perceived value of your house.