Easy Ways to Increase your Home's Value

Although it might not be the best time to sell a home given the current state of the economy, many people have put their home on the market recently, or are preparing to do so come spring. And while homes values in many parts of the country are down substantially compared to a few years ago, there are a few easy things you can do to boost your home's value- for very little money. (Or none at all!)

Knowing which projects and upgrades are worth the time - and money - can be difficult, so we went to an expert for a bit of advice. Matt Knox, CEO of www.DiggersList.com - the free constructions classifieds site - gave us a list of 10 things that the average DIYer can do around the house to update and freshen up a home in order to attract potential buyers. This handful of updates and items can make a big difference in getting the bids - and price - that you want.

10 easy & affordable DIY projects for home sellers

Ceramic mosaic tile sheets

Most Do-It-Yourselfers can handle a small tiling project, and since kitchens and bathrooms are tops on most home buyers' lists, investing in a "new" countertop or bath surround can make a huge difference. Ceramic mosaic tile sheets are relatively easy to install in a weekend.

Antique brick paving blocks

Antique bricks- frequently available for free on DiggersList.com - offer a fast and easy way to add character to landscaping projects. Adding them to a garden or small outdoor space is fast and easy- a great upgrade you can do in one afternoon.

Mid century modern lighting

Lighting has become more important in the last few years- younger buyers can easily spot standard big box home store fixtures, and may use this as a point of negotiating a lower price. Cut them off at the pass by getting rid of any old, ugly, or cheap fixtures and install a few new ones. Simple mid-century pieces are eye-catching, contemporary and fresh. (While you're at it, switch out the handles on cabinets and drawers; IKEA, Lowe's and Home Depot all sell modern pulls and knobs- or get them for even less on DiggersList.com)

Base Board Moulding

Details make all the difference, and when it comes to trim, one afternoon and $50 per room can be transformational. (An added bonus is that when you paint - see the next suggestion - you don't have to tape-off the ceiling and can work more quickly because you don't have to worry about clean lines.) Crown moulding, chair rails, and wall base moulding is simple to install and available for under $1 per linear foot.

Paint

Home d�cor experts nearly always suggest paint as the easiest way to transform a room- and with good reason. Everyone can paint, a new color brightens up a room, and by investing $100 and a weekend you can refresh your home and make it much more desirable.

Caulking

Since bathrooms are incredibly important to homebuyers, you want to make sure yours looks good. Not only should it be squeaky clean, it should also hide the fact that someone's been using it for years; gross caulking is a dead giveaway. Pick up a few tubes of bright white - or clear - caulking and a caulk removal tool, set aside about an hour per area (sink, bath, etc.), and prepared to be shocked at how much better your bathroom looks.

Bathroom Sink and Vanity sets

Installing a new vanity and sink might sound daunting, but it's actually one of the easier upgrades homeowners can do- and offers a great return-on-investment. Scope-out DiggersList.com for a great deal on a vanity and sink, then go online for installation advice if you're not sure how to do it.

Note :: We recommend hiring a plumber or handyman to actually hook-up the pipes, unless you're comfortable with it and have done it before.

Next page :: tackling a nasty shower... and getting funky!

Update your shower head

One of the easiest and least expensive upgrades around: just unscrew the old one and screw in the new one! (You may want to use a bit of plumbers/Teflon tape when doing this, to get a tighter seal.)

Cedar Landscaping Timbers

Landscaping is easy for many DIYers, and it makes a huge difference when it comes to curb appeal. (It's also very forgiving should you mess up!) Large landscaping timbers can frame out a garden, or replace an old cement wall around trees or flowerbeds.

Go for the unusual

Most potential home buyers will look at multiple houses in one day- which means that they can often blend together, causing buyers to forget what details they liked in various houses. Adding an unusual, unique touch somewhere in your house gives them a point of reference and will help make your home stand out among the others in buyers' minds. Unusual woods - like stained barn boards and other reclaimed wood - can be hung over doors, as art, or even paneling. Just make sure that if it's very unusual it's also fairly easy to remove should the new owners not share your same sense of style!