Are you looking to sell your home in Portland but you’re not sure how to get the most from your investment? You might be surprised that there are a few things you can do to raise property values without breaking the bank.
In the Pacific Northwest, the ground tends to shift as temperatures fluctuate from season to season, which can occasionally lead to cracks in your concrete floors. For basements in particular, these cracks can be breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and cause serious foundational problems that can have a significant impact property values.
If your interior and basement floors need to be sealed or refinished there are plenty of options that can revitalize and improve the overall appearance, and protect against leaks and future cracks.
We’ve all been told to never judge a book by its cover, but when you’re shopping for a home it’s hard not to do just that. If the exterior of a home does not impress potential homebuyers, they most likely won’t take the time to tour the interior.
Take some time to evaluate the exterior of your home and try to determine what needs to be repaired or improved. Perhaps the deck could be re-stained or the roof is warped and leaky. Being proactive and addressing issues before they become a disaster pays dividends when selling your home.
How’s the yard? Hiring a professional landscaping company could also help boost your curb appear—in fact, 95% of respondents to a Society of Real Estate Appraisers survey said that professional landscaping adds to the dollar value of both residential real estate, while 99% of them said it improved the sales appeal. Bottom line, maintaining a visually pleasing home exterior is vital to increasing your property value.
Garages are notorious for stockpiling the dirtiest, most abrasive tools in the home. Car storage produces the inevitable oil stains, landscaping tools, and projects that may scratch floors, and general clutter can make a garage quite the weekend cleanup. Basements are also known for being neglected and underused spaces.
Cleaning out the garage or basement, sealing cracks, and resurfacing concrete floors are effective and noticeable repairs that, if done properly by a professional, can have lasting effects. Not to mention, when you do clean out the garage and basement, you may realize how much space you have and decide to build a man cave, home office, family room, or other personal space. Read our blog outlining our best tips on how to convert your basement into a useable space.
Foundation repairs are perhaps the most important renovation that can dramatically improve property values. If your home contains mold or mildew from a foundation problem, be sure to seek a trained professional to ensure that the repair is done properly. Remember, a home is only as solid as its foundation.
Installing solar panels is a green upgrade to your home that can considerably boost your home’s value as well as help you save on the electric bill. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory released a helpful guide that determines how much your property value will climb and how much your bills will decline after installing solar panels. According to the study, a small 3.1-kilowatt (kW) system can add an average of $17,000 to the value of a medium-sized home and each additional $1 in energy bill savings adds $20 to your home’s value.
Can think of any other maintenance tips that will increase your Portland home’s property value? Leave us a note in the comments!
At Rock Solid, our experienced contractors help homeowners throughout the Pacific Northwest increase the value of their home by providing waterproofing and flooring solutions. From sealing your foundation, to completely overhauling your basement flooring – we’ll help transform your home and address any underlying issues.
