Top Improvements to Increase Your Home’s Value

Your home is your biggest investment. And the best way to protect and grow this investment is through home improvements. Whether you are planning to live the rest of your life in your home or you are thinking about selling within the next few years, a few strategic upgrades can boost your curb appeal, improve your energy efficiency, and add new living spaces. Not only will your home’s value grow—your day-to-day enjoyment of your home will grow as well. The good news is that home improvements don’t require a major renovation or budget. Even small upgrades can make a big impact—especially when they’re chosen with both current enjoyment and long-term value in mind.

If you’re interested in investing back in your home, whether it be a quick weekend project or a longer, more planned upgrade, you’re in luck. Below is a guide to some of the home improvements that provide the best return on investment—both in money and quality of life.

1. Improve Curb Appeal with Landscaping and Exterior Touches

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s true for your home, as well. Keeping a well-manicured lawn with attractive landscaping affects how passersby and potential buyers view your property.

A few simple landscaping improvements—and habits—will go a long way in achieving this. Mow regularly, keep your hedges sharply trimmed, and keep your flower beds glowing with fresh mulch and seasonal plants. Edge your lawn along walkways, driveways, and steps to give it a nice, crisp look.

Some homeowners choose to add hardscaping to their property as well. Upgrading your walkways and borders in stone and brick will make your property pop visually and set it apart from neighboring properties. Consider a new patio to pique interest and add a visible layer of living space.

Small exterior touches to your home also add curb appeal. A new coat of paint on your front door, siding, or shutters can refresh the whole look of your home. This will not only breathe new life into your home, but it is one of the less expensive home improvements.

2. Modernize Your Kitchen, Even Small Updates Count

Real estate pros, people in the know, they all agree on one thing—kitchens sell homes. One of the busiest and most-used rooms in your home, the aesthetics and comfort of this space can be enhanced with a few minor changes.

Want to give your kitchen a new shine? Consider small upgrades like installing a new backsplash, updating those out-of-date cabinet handles, installing new light fixtures, or replacing those old countertops with something more modern and durable. Maybe a new coat of paint on the cabinets or replacing your faucet can make your kitchen feel more modern, functional, and pleasant to use.

If you don’t have energy-efficient appliances, consider replacing them. This will lower your utility bills while you live in the home, as well as increase the value when it comes time to sell. What’s more: you’ll be eligible for a federal tax break if you upgrade, saving even more money.

3. Expand Outdoor Living Space

In recent post-pandemic years, more and more homeowners are looking to add additional outdoor living space to their property. A new deck, patio, or covered porch not only increases the usable square footage of your home, but it adds visual interest to your property.

It also gives your home versatility, as having a space to relax and entertain guests outdoors has become increasingly desirable for homebuyers. There are many options available for outdoor features, such as built-in seating, outdoor lighting, and dining furniture.

4. Drought-Resistant Landscaping Is a Smart Investment

As an Oklahoma homeowner, you are familiar with our dry, hot summers. You’ve likely struggled with yard maintenance during these times, as your plants, flowers, and grass struggle to stand up to the heat.

The solution? Investing in drought-tolerant landscaping and native plants. Drought-tolerant landscaping essentially means populating your property with plants that need little water, such as lavender, poppies, succulents, and low-water ground covers. It also means keeping your mulch fresh to reduce evaporation and limit the need for irrigation.

It’s worth thinking beyond plants when it comes to drought-resistant landscaping. Landscape features such as gravel beds, rock gardens, and hardscaping can be used instead of grass while maintaining a visual appeal and a sense of lushness.

Many younger homebuyers are environmentally conscious and see drought-resistant landscaping as a desirable feature in a home—meaning it’s a great return on your investment.

5. Storm Shelters Add Value and Peace of Mind

Okay, this upgrade may be specific to our region, but it’s an important one! Increasingly, homebuyers are looking for storm shelters in tornado-prone states like Oklahoma. In fact, for many, it isn’t an added safety feature but a necessity.

Installing a storm shelter—either underground or in your garage—not only adds real value to your property but will keep your family safe during severe weather events. For many newer homes, storm shelters come standard. If you have an older home, adding a storm shelter will keep it competitive in the market.

6. Keep Up with Maintenance and Repairs

This one may seem obvious. However, your home improvement efforts aren’t always about adding or changing some aspect of your house. The best returns come from caring for the home you already have.

Don’t defer maintenance efforts until it’s too late. Small repairs such as replacing an old roof, fixing cracks in the foundation, and addressing plumbing issues can prevent more expensive issues down the line. And neglect is often visible: buyers won’t be attracted to a home that has a history of major maintenance issues or looks uncared for.

Fund Projects with the Value You’ve Built

Maybe you’re convinced to undertake a small (or large!) home improvement project. How will you finance it? Many homeowners use the equity they’ve already built as a funding source for the improvement efforts.

A home equity loan lets you borrow against your equity. F&M Bank offers many financing options for homeowners looking to add value to their homes.

Adding value to your home doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on a renovation. The smartest upgrades use what your home already has. They should be dependent on your lifestyle, local climate, neighborhood trends, and your plans to either sell or stay in the home. Simple things like fine-tuning your landscaping efforts, adding new aesthetic touches, and modernizing your appliances will add value and comfort for years to come.

Interested in learning more about home equity loans? Contact F&M Bank. Our trusted advisors are here to help all Oklahomans with their financial needs and questions.