Inexpensive ways to increase your home's value

Ideas for €99 or less

Inspect it first.

Not all home improvement projects are cosmetic. Red brocade 1970s wallpaper in the bathroom is pretty obvious, however, deteriorating window seals, insect infestations, or outdated electrical systems will play a major role in your house sale. While whole new windows may not add appreciably to market value, a serviceable home is expected by home shoppers. 

A dilapidated property can quickly squelch the deal, or at least cost you as the seller. The amount the buyer estimates the repairs will cost, he or she will negotiate off the listing price. Furthermore, it will cost you the trust of a buyer who now suspects you won’t have maintained other parts of the home, as well. 

You can’t fix it if you don’t know it’s broken, so spend time looking over your home with fresh eyes, as if you were the one buying it. Look at all areas of the house, including the ones you wouldn’t normally see in your day-to-day life. 

If you have the budget to stretch to it, hire an inspector to check out the areas of your home more thoroughly. Conducting an inspection ahead of selling can alert you to unseen issues that could negatively impact the value of your home. 

Small problems (like minor water leaks) can become big, expensive problems quickly; the longer you delay repairs, the more expensive those repairs will be.

Get a professional perspective.

Engage a real estate agent or interior designer to examine your home with an eye to improving sale value. Many real estate agents, such as Private Luxury Collection, will do this as a courtesy, but an interior designer will likely require a consultation fee. 

Check with designers in your local area; the hourly fee is normally less than €100. In that time, they can give you ideas for necessary or desirable improvements. Even small improvements, such as paint colours or furniture placement, can go a long way towards improving the salability of your home.

Paint, paint, and paint some more.

One of the most obvious yet straightforward and affordable changes in preparing a home for sale is fresh paint. Updating paintwork is a necessary step in achieving a better list price.

A room that has recently been painted appears tidy and modern, and that adds value. When selecting paint, use neutral paint colours to make your property more appealing to a wider audience.

On average 5 litres of paint typically costs €30, giving you enough cash to purchase rollers, painter's tape, drop cloths and brushes. Get the ladder out and get to work!

€100 to €200 Improvements

Install a water filtration system 

Install a water-filtration system in the kitchen to add a little touch of luxury while saving money over time. These systems clean your water while reducing the need for bottled water. A water filtration system is a low-cost upgrade and the kind of opulent feature that draws purchasers to houses.

Plant a tree.

Trees improve curb appeal. If you don't intend to sell your house immediately, a longer-term strategy to add value to your property is to plant a shade tree. A mature tree can reduce your cooling bills by as much as 40% while also increasing the value of your property. The environment benefits from mature landscaping because it creates a habitat for wildlife.

Add low-upkeep landscaping 

Think green and enhance the curb appeal of your property with shrubs, bushes, and vibrant plants. Purchase locally-adapted plants or greenery that can withstand drought-like circumstances so that they will need less water and upkeep.

Take down popcorn or textured ceilings.

Few structural components indicate a home's age like popcorn ceilings. Increase the value of your home by removing the antiquated appearance. . After softening the texture using a solution, scrape the popcorn off. Even though removing a popcorn ceiling may not seem like a significant change,  making any necessary repairs, replacements, or removals before listing your house for sale is one of the keys to adding to its value. 

Home Improvements in the €200 to €400 range

Hire a landscaping company to tidy up the garden.

The garden is essential for buyers looking to own a property in Portugal. Prospective homeowners are quickly turned off by improperly manicured grass, brown patches, and untrimmed bushes and hedges. For a few hundred euros, you may hire a landscaping or gardening company to cut your lawn and prune your hedging. This allows for your garden to go from going messy to maintained.  

Small bathroom renovations pay off big.

Even if you can't afford to completely redesign or to renovate your bathroom, making simple modifications like repainting, taking down outdated wallpaper, and switching out old lighting fixtures will modernise the space without breaking the bank. Install a wall fan in the bathroom if there isn't any ventilation. 

Install new, energy-efficient fixtures.

In the warmer months, a ceiling fan can provide a gentle breeze that can cut back on the need for pricey air conditioning while also providing light. However, a ceiling fan that is outdated, chipped, loud, or damaged is a pointless annoyance. To make your home more enjoyable to live in and to raise the value of your home if you decide to sell, replace outdated fixtures with new ones.

Home Improvements: €400-€750

Upgrade the bathroom for a significant return on investment.

A €750 bathroom renovation might bring in buyers and provide a good return on investment. The value and sales potential of a home will increase with a single inexpensive improvement, such as laying new tile flooring, replacing an old vanity, or updating the plumbing and lighting fixtures.

An updated kitchen increases value.

Similar to bathroom modifications, practically any kitchen improvement will increase the value of your house and attract buyers. For purchasers, the kitchen and bathroom are crucial. To increase the value of your property, start by replacing one thing, like a dated sink, with a brand-new stainless steel one. Your home's value will improve even with minor renovations.

Change any worn rugs or tiles.

It is worthwhile to spend the money to replace your worn-out or soiled area rugs and tiles. The idea that a home's whole flooring will need to be replaced right away deters buyers. Though replacing them all is ideal, if money is tight, start by replacing the tile in the room that has the most visible wear and tear. Then, when funds allow, replace the others.