The Best $1,000 You Can Spend To Increase Your Home’s Value
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Looking to up your home’s value without going broke? Well, Who isn’t? Turns out, you can make some seriously impactful improvements with just $1,000. Real estate and home improvement experts have weighed in on the smartest ways to invest that money for the biggest return.
Here’s the best $1,000 you can spend to increase your home’s value.
Fresh Paint Works Wonders
Want to know one of the most foolproof ways to boost your home’s value? Break out the paintbrushes. “Fresh and updated paint is one of the best ways to add value to your home since even if the color doesn’t appeal to sellers, having a good quality paint job that looks fresh and recent is a good indication the rest of the home has been well maintained,” said Carr Lanphier, CEO of Improovy.
If you’re planning to sell, Lanphier suggested sticking with neutral colors. “This keeps things pretty buyer-friendly and can also give your home’s interior a touch of class,” he said.
Light Up Your Investment
Multiple experts pointed to lighting as a game-changing investment. “Nothing kills the first impression of a house like bad lighting. If a room feels dark and gloomy, it can make the place seem like it’s not well taken care of, even if everything else is perfect,” said Justin Cornforth, owner and CEO of Ace Home Co.
Want to make your home look more expensive? Light it up at night.
“Exterior lighting is always high on the list of things homebuyers look for,” said Cornforth. “Use lights to highlight your home’s architectural features and its beautiful trees. Just a few more light fixtures make your home look way better and give what realtors call ‘curb appeal.'”
Cornforth suggested a combination of LED recessed lighting for your kitchen and living room, outdoor wall sconces for your front porch, and solar-powered path lights for your driveway or garden. And it doesn’t even need to cost $1,000.
“Update old lighting to new, energy-efficient models that cost around $200 each and make a space look and feel more high-end,” said Brett Johnson, owner of New Era Home Buyers.
Create a Stunning First Impression
Your home’s exterior deserves some attention too. “Homeowners often forget about the exterior and landscaping is the first place to start. The easiest way to make a big impact with landscaping is by adding fresh mulch and seasonal flowers, which costs just a few hundred dollars and some DIY effort,” said Johnson.
Fix Those Little Annoyances
Sometimes the best investment isn’t in flashy upgrades but in fixing what’s already there. “The best $1,000 someone can spend to improve their property value is fixing any deferred maintenance they have,” said Holden Andrews, founder of Helpful Home Group. “This will be touching up paint, fixing drywall, repairing creaky doors, or any of those little things that add up.”
Andrews noted that these small issues can be a major turn-off to potential buyers. “It is a real turn-off to a buyer when they tour a house they are thinking about buying and they start making a to-do list of all the things they need to do to make it feel nice,” he said.
Smart Design Elements
Strategic design choices can make a big impact. “Well-chosen lighting fixtures and a fresh accent wall not only modernize the space but also evoke a sense of quality that resonates with potential buyers,” said Justin Miller, co-founder and CEO of Showplace.
More From GOBankingRates
