We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver our services. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to our use of cookies.More info
Juan Real Estate GroupJuan Real Estate Group
Call Us:

(978) 581.0801

Message Us:

[email protected]

  • Meet The Team
  • Testimonials
  • Schedule a Call
  • Read Our Blog
  • Seller Experience
  • Free Home Valuation
  • Our Marketing Strategy
  • Buyer Experience
  • Search for Homes
    • Call Us:

      (978) 581.0801

    • Message Us:

      [email protected]

    Featured Image

    19 Summer Projects To Increase Your Home’s Value

    Your home is one of your most significant assets — and like most investments, you need to periodically check-in to make sure...

    • Juan Murray
    • August 6th, 2019
    • 8 min read

    Your home is one of your most significant assets — and like most investments, you need to periodically check-in to make sure you’re maximizing value. For a house, this means anything from making necessary repairs to improvements that will make your property even more appealing to its next owner. 

    We know what you’re thinking: It’s impossible to guess what a future buyer may want. However, there are a few tried-and-true projects that will boost your home’s worth, no matter what time of year you sell. Now that it’s summer, you may even have a little more time to tackle these projects (or hire them out). From small changes that you can do by Sunday to big projects that have a significant impact, here are a few ideas for your to-do list.

    Fast & easy fixes you can do by Sunday

    Quick switches that a Target run can handle

    Big projects that have a significant impact

    Fast & easy fixes you can do by Sunday

    1. Try KonMari

    Organizing pro, Marie Kondo (author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and host of Netflix’s Tidying Up With Marie Kondo) has made converts out of even the messiest out there. Her easy-to-follow KonMari system boils down to “donate or get rid of anything you don’t need anymore.” Read the book, watch the show, and take the weekend to let go of excess clutter that’s taking up space in your home. Not only will your home seem more significant to buyers, but you’ll want to show off your home without all the clutter. 

    2. Maximize Closet Space

    Today’s buyers can never have too much storage space. That doesn’t mean you have to invest heavily in a custom closet (after all, what works for your wardrobe might not work for everyone). Making little fixes such as installing shelves, swapping out rickety hanging bars for new ones, and adding smaller organizers can maximize your existing closets. If you also have outdated accordion-style or builder-grade wooden doors, updating them to new doors will make a more favorable first impression.

    3. Upgrade your door handles 

    If you have dated or dull hardware throughout your home (or haven’t updated a single knob since the ‘90s), this is an especially good facelift idea. Integrating new doorknobs, handles, pulls, and knobs create a cohesive, well-designed look. Polished nickel and bronze will add an on-trend touch that makes even older cabinets and doors seem newer. 

    Quick switches that a Target run can handle

    4. Make your water pressure better

    You’d be surprised how many people turn the faucets to gauge the pressure. If you’re an avid DIYer, you might be able to increase the water pressure yourself using this YouTube video. If your water pressure isn’t the problem, take a trip to a nearby hardware store and buy a new showerhead. Buyers will be impressed with the upgrade, and most of them are super easy to install! 

    5. Make your lights “smarter” 

    With technology getting more advanced, integrating it into your home is easy and impressive to homebuyers. Try the Philips Hue Starter Kit, and you will be in awe of how easy it is to use. You can pair your lights with Amazon’s Alexa, Siri, and Google Home. You don’t have to stop at just lights. There are tons of options for integrating technology into your home, and according to a study from ADT, almost two-thirds of homebuyers would pay a premium for smart home technology. 

    6. Repaint interior rooms

    If it’s been a while since you’ve painted, consider changing overall color scheme inside your home to a neutral palette. Neutral tones can make space feel bigger, brighter, and newer, and even mask small scratches and imperfections. It also creates a “blank slate” to help buyers focus on the home rather than a bolder color choice.

    7. Repair and refresh any walkways

    Cracks in concrete, loose bricks or chipped stones are little details that can make even newer homes seem neglected while also presenting a safety hazard. Even pulling the weeds can make a huge difference when buyers walk up to your home. You can even add lighting (see next tip) to the walkway for a better nighttime experience.

    8. Add or upgrade outdoor lighting

    Instead of any landscaping projects, think about “hardscaping” elements such as lighting. Just a few solar lights along the path can be enough to make a big difference. If you have a deck or patio, hanging string lights can make it more inviting, and an added benefit you can enjoy during those beautiful summer nights!

    9. Increase your privacy settings

    Very high-end homes can get away with not having a fence in the first place, but most properties will need them, or at least a "living fence." Adding or replacing an existing fence that might need work can have a considerable impact on the appeal of your home, especially to homebuyers with animals. According to research from NAR, 91% of buyers with animals find having a fenced yard important. If putting in a fence isn’t an appealing project, consider adding a “living fence” of shrubbery. 

    Big projects that have a big impact

    10. Paint the exterior

    The summer is actually the best time to paint the exterior of your home. That’s because latex paints need to cure at temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (and above the dew point at least 48 hours after you apply it). If the temp dips below that, the paint film won’t form properly. 

    11. Install a new roof

    When a potential buyer sees an older roof, they also see a lot of dollar signs from weather damage, pest infestations, and other everyday horrors. Replacing the roof will help the buyer feel at ease, knowing you took care of any immediate roof issues that could arise. If you’re tech-savvy and willing to drop $80K, check out Tesla’s new solar roof.

    12. Add (or refresh) a deck

    You don’t have to add a new room to extend your home’s living space. Instead, add a deck. Experts say a more straightforward design is better (and advise to keep away from high-maintenance features like spas) and can add up to 80% of its cost to your resale value. Don’t forget to follow tip #8 and add lights!

    13. Change your windows

    Energy-efficient windows entice buyers with lower energy costs, but the decision goes far beyond future bills. Choosing tilt-out windows will make panes easier to clean, a thoughtful touch that shows buyers that every detail was considered in your home. Also, some windows can improve the curb appeal — or even add an unexpectedly stylish element. 

    14. Clean (or replace) the carpet

    Wall-to-wall carpeting doesn’t just seem outdated to potential buyers — the fibers also hold onto dust and allergens, impacting your overall air quality. Consider adding hardwood floors (or lookalike composite) or do a deep-clean of your carpets.

    15. Renovate (or update) the bathroom

    Kitchen and bathroom renovations nearly always pay off. Getting rid of space-hogging vanities, adding in a low-flush toilet, or even little replacements such as the showerhead, tub faucet, and tiles are all changes that will go a long way in the eyes of your buyer.

    16. Replace the counters

    You don’t need to do a complete kitchen renovation with the latest appliances and designer finishes. Instead, consider replacing your old countertops. No, you don’t have to go with granite no matter how many real estate reality shows say otherwise. Quartz, stainless steel, concrete, and even tile are cost-effective surfaces that are also in style. If you have a bigger budget, marble countertops are always appealing to deep-pocketed buyers.

    17. Replace your kitchen cabinets

    Since cabinetry does take up the most visual space in the kitchen, a replacement will make the whole room feel updated. A complete overhaul isn’t always necessary. If your cabinets are a standard size and of decent quality, you can get away with just replacing the doors (or even just painting your current doors).

    18. Scrape off the popcorn

    On the ceiling, that is. Popcorn ceilings look outdated and sometimes can have buyers thinking the covering is hiding a defect. Smoothing your ceiling’s texture with a scraper isn’t the most fun way to spend a weekend, but the payoff is worth it. 

    19. Install a water filtration system

    Adding this feature makes for a unique selling point for your home (no more bottled water). Having clean, filtered water will make your home more memorable and is a little touch that shows potential buyers that you care. You will also benefit from the addition of a filtration system. Still not convinced? Take a look at this video and see just how dirty your tap water might be.

    Curious about what your home is worth now?

    Get an accurate home value report from our team. 

    Get Your Report

    Author Photo
    About the author

    Juan Murray

    (617) 721-0961
    • facebook
    • instagram
    • linkedin
    Juan got his start in the residential real estate market in 1994 and has never looked back. His mission is to provide excellence to his clients, and he is always looking for ways to improve the real estate experience for his clients and colleagues in the industry. Early in his real estate career, he worked as the Housing Rehabilitation Director for a national non-profit organization, Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA). His goal was to gain more knowledge of the construction and renovation of existing homes in conjunction with working with 1st-time buyers. He effectively managed over 25 residential construction project managers on the East & West coasts while implementing procedures to improve communication between contractors, property owners, and banking representatives. He also developed resources, designed processes, and organized all aspects of real estate property acquisition and renovation. Juan completed a home inspector licensing course on his way to becoming a licensed home inspector. But after completing 30 inspections as an apprentice observer, after crawling under numerous porches and “crawl spaces,” he decided it wasn’t his cup of tea. Juan has always had a sharp eye for market trends and an innate understanding of what his clients need. That’s why, as a top real estate agent in Boston, he is constantly ahead of the curve, anticipating changes in the market and helping his clients manage their real estate goals. His keen intellect, quick wit, and tireless work ethic make him an invaluable partner for anyone looking to buy or sell property in the Boston area (or via his referral partners worldwide). Although Real Estate is a large part of his life, it is not the only part. He loves hanging out with family and friends, being in the kitchen, enjoying great food, anything Apple or Cole Haan, gadgets, great cigars, F1, motorcycles, photography, and traveling (to name a few). He lives with integrity and tries not to take life too seriously.

    Similar posts like this

    Stuck Between Moving and Staying? These 3 Questions Can Help You Decide

    Feeling torn about moving or staying put? These 3 questions can help you get clear on what matters most—beyond just your...
    Read more

    Summer Home Shopping in Boston? Here’s How to Beat the Competition Without Overpaying

    Buying a home this summer in Boston? Here's how to write a competitive offer, understand seller motivation, and know whe...
    Read more

    Is Your Listing Photoshoot-Ready? 7 Overlooked Details That Matter in Boston

    Most buyers see your home online before they ever step inside. Use these 7 often-missed tips to make sure your listing p...
    Read more
    Juan Real Estate Group

    Juan Real Estate Group

    769 Centre St, Suite 209, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

    769 Centre St, Suite 209, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

    Call Us:

    (978) 581.0801

    Message Us:

    [email protected]

    Footer Links

    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Schedule a Call
    • Read Our Blog
    • Sellers
    • Get Your Home's Value
    • Search for Homes
    • Buyers
    Privacy Policy

    Juan Real Estate Group © 2025

    Powered by