By: Paul Wolfert - "The Move-Up Expert"


Whether you're looking to sell right now or merely thinking about the future, improving your home's value with an easy, inexpensive remodel is a great way to ensure a quicker sale.

It's easy to get in over your head while remodeling, so make sure you do your research before you get started. Here are five easy remodels that will give your home an instant facelift.

Replace the Front Door

The front door is one of the first impressions people get of your home. Replacing it is certainly one option, but you don't even have to go that far. Instead, check for rusty or stiff hinges, cracks or splits in the surface, or a loose doorknob. Repair or replace anything necessary, and then spiff it up even more with a decorative doorknocker, pretty brass numbers for the address, or a cool doorbell that plays a unique tune.

Fix the Roof

Replacing the roof is an expensive proposition, but taking care of the existing roof is inexpensive and adds a lot of value to your home. Cover holes, apply anti-rusting solutions and paint the roof every one or two years. This keeps it looking fresh and new while also ensuring that it stays leak-free. Even a quick power-wash can totally change the look of your roof - and the entire house. When fixing up your roof, inspect it for any serious damage so you can get major repairs completed before you end up needing to get a whole new roof.

Paint the Walls

The paint on your walls can make your home look dated and, depending on its condition; it can also make the house look dirty or unkempt.

Refresh the wall color every couple of years. Get adventurous with the colors, and use a primer to hide scuffs and other problems. Try new techniques such as sponging or splattering one color over another. Paint is cheap and easy to change, so if you don't like the look, you can easily change it. Bright and light colors add space to a room, so try one of those in a smaller room.

Update Your Landscaping

Like the front door, the yard makes one of the first impressions. Making sure the grass is green, lush, and cut, adding some pretty flowers, and maybe creating a slate or tile sidewalk from the driveway to the door, can totally change the look of your front yard and create great curb appeal.

Replace the Lights

Like paint, old light fixtures can make your home look dated. Swapping out older fixtures for new, more contemporary ones can make a huge difference in how your home looks. It's also a great opportunity to play around with showing off your personality and style.

Remodeling and updating your home doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, nor does it require turning your home into a construction zone for weeks or months. A few simple changes to what's already in your home can make your home look fresh, new and inviting. However, updating your home is a big deal, so you need to make sure you are doing it right. Research the basics of renovation and the specifics of any of your projects before you start so you don’t end up with a huge problem.

Resources

How to Replace an Exterior Door

What Can I Do to Maintain My Roof?

Rules of Renovation

Paint Colors that Make Your Space Feel Bigger

Quirky, Colorful, and Fun Lighting Ideas

Smart Ways to Update Your Front Yard