Tips for adding value to your home

Whether you are remodeling your home or getting ready to start a new construction, you will want to get the most out of your dollar. I have yet to have a customer walk into my office with a briefcase of cash and say that money is no object, so I understand that everyone has tight budgets.

Making sure you gain the most from your home’s budget now so your home can yield more money down the road is imperative. In today’s article, I’m going to cover some ways that homeowners can get great results — without breaking the bank.

Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects of your home. It is the welcome mat to an individual and when that person will make their first assumptions about your home and the quality it represents. Fortunately, there are many simple ways to attract the eye.

Paint in and of itself is not overly expensive so using a palette of like colors that complement one another can really make your house pop. I typically break the potential areas for color into three broad categories: trim, siding and accent.

Trim and siding are a great place to start with contrasting colors, but you can typically add that wow factor by painting a gable or section of the house in a complementary color that adds an edge of extra value.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your front door either. There are many colors and designs to choose from; just make sure you don’t pick colors or designs that are wrong for your home style or look garish with the other colors of your exterior.

Visit your local paint shop. Representatives there can show you pre-made color palettes that can give you some ideas, created by the professionals, to start from.

They will be happy to make recommendations.

If your budget is a little more restricted, cleaning your existing exterior paint rather than removing it, and then applying a fresh coat of paint on your front door can also do the trick. You’ll be amazed how much that can help.

When it comes to the inside of your home, too many paint colors can be a bad thing. Generally, it is a good rule of thumb to paint the majority of your home a solid, neutral color. If you want to do accent walls in a few places like the great room or master bedroom, I recommend a few shades within the existing paint color palette for maximum visual impact.

Adding trim work to the interior of your home also adds value without spending a lot of money. The addition of a taste-

ful chair rail in the dining area or — for you “Fixer Upper” fans out there

— the inclusion of shiplap on the wall of your great room can be the perfect accent to a fireplace. Crown molding in the right setting also provides a very upscale feel to a space.

All these minor upgrades will help your guests feel like they are in a luxurious space when they visit your home.

If you are building a home and your budget allows, try and stretch for a basement. Although it is not cheap, it will pay out big-time down the road when it comes to gaining a good return on your investment, and you

don’t even need to finish it immediately.

Also, if you have the opportunity, opting for taller ceilings on your main level will make your space feel much larger than the actual square footage. In today’s marketplace, it’s not about having as many rooms in the house to create square footage, it’s about using the space as efficiently as possible to make the house feel larger than it actually is.

My last tip involves flooring in your home. Hard surfaces typically equate to greater value. There are many options on the market right now, but a fantastic choice for value and visual appeal is Luxury Vinyl Tile/Plan (LVT or LVP). Most manufacturers offer countless different stains and wood

looks that would typically be high dollars for real wood.

Not only does it look good, but it is easy to maintain. It’s typically waterproof and it holds up well to scratches and dings. If you have large animals or pets with sharp nails, this flooring is a no brainer.

Like many builder and remodeler members of the Home Builders Association of Dayton, I love helping customers get creative with their choices and budget to create their perfect home.

There are many different ways beyond my tips, so for more information contact the Home Builders Association of Dayton or visit www.HBADayton. com for a member directory.