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DIY Projects That Can Increase Your ROI


Want a Higher Home Sale Price? Consider These Home Improvement DIY Projects


When it’s time to sell, we all want a maximum return on our investment. While many improvements are best tackled with professional help (we will cover some of those next month), there are plenty of improvements you can make on your own that really pay off in terms of a higher selling price. And they don’t have to cost a fortune. Consider the following ideas for improvements you can make with a little creativity and some sweat equity:


1. Interior paint. Fresh paint looks and smells clean and bright and sets the tone for the rest of the home. A neutral color can create the illusion of space (even if your home doesn’t have a lot of that!) and makes it easier for potential buyers to imagine their furniture in your space. If you can’t paint everything, focus on the main living areas: kitchen, living room and hallways and don’t forget the trim!


2. The kitchen. A common saying in real estate is “kitchens sell houses”. A fresh, clean, and functional kitchen appeals to ALL buyers. And while a complete kitchen remodel is a big-ticket item, here are some things you can do yourself:

• Change the hardware on drawers and cabinets. Go modern with black or matte silver or gold handles. Even your light switch plates should look new. Sleek, spare, and super clean.

• How are your faucets and handles? If they are rusty, leaky, or loose, it’s time to replace them. You don’t have to buy the most expensive ones. Go to your home improvement store and you’ll be amazed at the options available at reasonable prices. Bonus points if they are the same material as your cabinet hardware.

• While new cabinets are pricey, you can change the look of your existing cabinets with a coat of paint! YouTube is full of videos that will walk you through the process of transforming cabinets with paint. It will need to look good to potential buyers – so if you are uncomfortable with doing this work, best to lean on a professional painter for a good, clean finish – and it will still be less expensive than installing all new cabinetry. And once you have painted them, go through them and de-clutter so potential buyers will see spacious storage instead of messy piles of stuff.

• Finally – consider a backsplash if you don’t have one now. You might consider one of the newer - and better - peel and sticks OR (if you have the skills) re-tile it yourself.


3. Bathrooms. Like kitchens, buyers see dollar signs when looking at outdated bathrooms. If a remodel isn’t in the budget, here are a few upgrades you can make yourself:

• As above, cabinets are easy to paint. If yours are discolored, beaten up, or simply dated, consider a fresh coat of paint.

• Take a critical look inside the cabinets too – buyers WILL open drawers and doors. If they see mounds of disorganized bits and pieces, they will assume that there isn’t adequate storage (which might not be true.) Time to clean it up.

• And just like the kitchen, faucets and fixtures are easy enough to replace.

• Consider lighting and mirrors too. A new mirror that is contemporary and attractive can work wonders in a bathroom – and it doesn’t have to be a bathroom mirror! Home goods stores (like HomeGoods!) often have fun and different mirror options for a small investment.

• And finally, hang the “good towels” when you have a showing.


4. The exterior: we all know that “curb appeal” matters. Cleaning up your front yard, porch, stairs and gardens is basically free and can have a huge impact. Other quick fixes:

• Professional landscaping is a bonus, but even simple flowers, shrubs and mulch can mean the difference between a plain exterior and something more welcoming. Most garden centers are full of experts who can help you choose the right plants for your sun exposure.

• Paint the front door! Choose a welcoming color that attracts buyers even before they walk in. if you live at the beach, consider a “beachy” blue or green. In town, consider a bolder or warmer color like navy, black, or red. OR, if you want your door to really stand out, try an unusual (but not off-putting) color like a golden yellow or a deep olive green. Need inspiration? Check out the 2025 “colors of the year” in this Family Handyman article. https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/colors-of-the-year-2025/

• Lighting matters – especially if buyers come early or late in the day. Uplighting on the front of your house can add drama and highlight your attractive landscaping and trees. But even your humble porch light will look better if you wash it and clear out all the dead bugs! String lights are very popular now too – consider adding some to your back porch or outdoor seating area. Lighted house numbers add a fresh look – and solar ones mean no additional electricity costs.


Next month we’ll explore the skilled trade improvements you might consider for your home pre-sale, but I hope these quicker fixes have been helpful. Let me know what kinds of improvements you’ve made to your home prior to selling.

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