Tips for Correcting the Things Decreasing Your Home's Value

Did you know there are several things related to your home’s value that you, as the homeowner, have control over? Today we’re focusing on ways to correct the things which could lower your home’s property value. Following these home improvement tips will help you avoid making any costly mistakes. 

Ignoring Home Maintenance

Putting off necessary and needed home fixes can lead to larger and costly repairs later on. For instance, if the drippy faucet is taken care when it’s first noticed, this could be fixed with the purchase of some supplies that cost less than dinner. If you wait and ignore these first signs of a leak, it can morph into much larger and more serious plumbing issues requiring a skilled plumber and hours of labor plus an increasing number of supplies to get things under control. 

The most commonly deferred home maintenance examples including leaky roofs, peeling paint, cracked foundations, neglected landscaping, outdated HVAC systems, and plumbing issues. 

When you first notice an issue, be intentional about figuring out what is needed. If you’re handy and like tackling repairs yourself, you may be able to DIY what’s necessary. Otherwise, reach out to a professional to get a quote and discuss your plans and options. 

Practicing preventative home maintenance helps you stay ahead of issues and takes care of repairs when they are first noticed. This proactive approach gives you peace of mind and reduces the number of small fixes from morphing into something much larger. 

Begin by routinely following a monthly or quarterly checklist to review key areas of your home. 

• Look at the condition of the roof and shingles for any damage or need of replacement.
• Pay attention to peeling paint.
• Check for drafty windows or cracked glass.
• Watch for cracks in the foundation, sidewalks, driveway, or leaky gutters.
• Treating any signs of mold or mildew.
• Routinely change air filters and schedule maintenance on your home’s systems—HVAC, furnace, pool, etc. 
• Regularly service appliances following the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule.
• Routinely test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Smoking Odors & Other Unappealing Scents

Overtime you may have grown used to the smell of cigarette smoke or your pets to the point that these odors are unnoticeable to you and your family. For non-smokers or non-pet owners interested in buying your home, these odors can be quite noticeable. The same can be said about odors of mold and mildew around damp areas of your home. 

There are ways to tackle these tough odors which involves deep cleaning surfaces, airing out the home, changing air filters, and repainting the walls using paint with a specialized odor blocker primer. Soft surfaces such as carpets and drapes may be treated with a deep cleaning method or need to be replaced. For severe cases, professional restoration or ozone generators may be a viable option.  

Outdated Rooms

It is a common perception that outdated rooms have been neglected and could be hiding problems or areas needing repair. Small changes can go a long way in ushering an outdated room into present day expectations. These changes could be as easy as changing paint colors or updating flooring choices. Removing stains, signs of wear, or older out-of-fashion features can also remove potential buyer objections or eliminate low offers that included a subtracted amount to cover the cost to update the room. 

Does a room have an awkward layout or size? Talk with your real estate agent to decide if this should become a home improvement project prior to listing the home. Your agent’s experience and keen eye will aid you in spotting areas that could be less appealing to a potential buyer. This gives you the opportunity to make an upgrade to boost the home’s value. 

Poor Curb Appeal

The first impression of your home begins from the street when you’re driving up the to address. How does your home look? If your lawn is overgrown and the flowerbeds are filled with more weeds than blooms, this is going to make prospective buyers keep driving. Instead keep things mowed, trimmed, and colorful to catch the eye of those passing by. 

Adding pops of colors with in-season flowers and cheery door decoration will make your home feel inviting. There’s nothing like a freshly mowed lawn to make a property look its best. Freshly washed windows and a door glass that is free of fingerprints will sparkle. Make plans to power wash the sidewalk and driveway to remove any grime or dirty build-up. A good first impression sets the tone for what the inside of the home may look like. 

In Summary

Practicing regular home maintenance is one of the best ways to correct anything decreasing your home’s value. Got questions about real estate or how to increase your home’s value? Let’s talk. It’s my honor to serve you and answer your questions. 

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, #2 in 2022, #5 in 2023 and 2024. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.