Many of us aren't satisfied until it's perfect...regardless of what "it" is. What if "it" being close to perfect could make you a ton of money!? Would you put in the sweat equity? I know I would. Well below is a Top 5 list, compiled from the top realtors in the United States,  of things you can do to your home that would significantly boost it's value!

1. Create Space

Knock down a non-structural wall, or remove a kitchen island if it's not needed. People want open floor plans these days so for just a few hundred bucks you can achieve that. If your kitchen has plenty of cabinet space, think about getting rid of that pesky island if it's not yielded the functionality it should be.

2. Mind your yard!

Many people, especially in the PNW, disregard their yards for most months out of the year. For around $400-500 you can have your yard whipped into shape by a pro and the returns can be 5 times that! Think about looking at a brand new present but the wrapping is loose and falling apart, not very appealing.

3. Lighting

One of the most trending things these days are tubular skylights. They're much less expensive and invasive than framing out a traditional skylight and you can add several of them to your home for the price of one skylight, but yield more wide-spread results to your living spaces. Let there be light! Also remember, high wattage light bulbs can make smaller spaces feel larger. Size matters!

4. Don't neglect your home

Before you think about fancy upgrades, don't forget about the basics of upkeep of your home. Repair leaks, insulate your attack, replace rusty/leaky rain gutters, and annually inspect/service the furnace and septic. These types of fixes go a long way toward value.

5. Look down

Don't underestimate what you're walking on. People make up their minds with the first 10 seconds of entering a home....floors are the first thing they see. 90% of brokers recommend that you do some sort of upgrade to the flooring of your home. It doesn't have to be crazy expensive either. With an investment of about $600-900, brokers are expecting a return of around $2000, that's incredible!

So tell me. What is that ONE thing you would change in your home right now if you could? Or tell me what you HAVE changed in your home?

Brad Nugent

Buyer's Agent

Nykole Larson Real Estate Group