Top 10 Most Common Mistakes That Lower Your Home’s Value

1. DIY projects gone wrong

Only some people are professional home renovators. However, many people who aspire to be carpenters or handymen have attempted to install decks in their backyards without proper experience or knowledge. As a result, they ended up causing damage to their homes and costing themselves a significant amount of money. Even simpler projects like painting kitchen cabinets can require more work and patience than anticipated. Remember to underestimate the effort and expertise needed for these improvements.

2. Offensive odors

Foul odors can serve as an indicator of serious problems such as mold. Mold can cause health hazards, so hiring a professional to address the issue is essential. Smoking inside can also be a significant health concern, leaving permanent stains and odors that decrease your home’s value. If you have pets, it is crucial to clean your home correctly to prevent pet smells from lingering. It is not advisable to mask the odors with harsh chemicals. Baking soda is an excellent solution to eliminate odors. Sprinkle baking soda on rugs or furniture, let it seep in for a few hours, and then vacuum. Keep your home smelling fresh by preventing odors from their source, adopting proper cleaning habits, opening windows, and investing in an air purifier, which is an excellent investment for pet owners.

3. Leaving your entryway in disrepair

Your entryway is a central focal point of your home’s exterior. An old front door with cracked paint will send the wrong message to your neighbors. Consider updating hardware, adding a fresh coat of paint, or even replacing the door. You can even plant new flowers or shrubs leading up to your new door!

4. Bad landscaping/Yard maintenance

When updating your landscaping, you should consider the future. For example, if you plan to plant more trees in your yard, consider how they will look in 20, 30, or even 40 years. Don’t plant trees or shrubs too close to the driveway; they can cause significant problems with overgrown roots. It is best to choose plants that are native to your local environment. Most plants need about a year to establish their roots before blooming. A poorly maintained yard kills your curb appeal. Think about the landscaping additions that will be easier to keep in the long run. If you live in a dry location where it is difficult to grow grass, consider hardscaping updates like pavers or walkways. These investments can completely change your outdoor space and add tremendous value to your home.

5. Not maintaining your wood floors

Who doesn’t love shiny hardwood floors? I hope you do! Having hardwood floors is great for your home’s value, but they need to be correctly maintained. Using abrasive cleaning solutions on your floors will wear down the wood over time. With wood floors, they need to be rebuffed every few years.

6. Trendy renovations

Hanging a unique painting on your wall is one thing, but installing a statement-making wallpaper in your bedroom may take time. It is best to stick with classic, timeless designs for more complicated updates that are more challenging to replace.

7. Settling for older appliances

If you use an old dishwasher that can hardly finish the job, it may be time for an upgrade. Older appliances are less energy-efficient, potentially costing you more money on utility bills. Keeping appliances relatively new, such as your dishwasher or range, is a simple way to add value to your home. Not to mention, more excellent appliances make cooking and cleaning a piece of cake!

8. Letting go of the small stuff

Broken light switches, leaky faucets, squeaky doors, and other minor issues are not a big deal. Still, they can add up over time. Something as basic as clogged gutters can lead to significant problems, such as water damage. Keep up with regular maintenance to avoid costly repairs in the future.

9. Choosing surfaces that are tough to clean

When renovating your home, you must be careful about your chosen materials. If remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, think about materials that are easy to clean. If you end up permanently staining a kitchen counter, the entire counter may need replacing!

10. Not maximizing your space

The illusion of more space can increase your home’s value. However, many homeowners opt for cluttered decors like heavy, dark curtains or clunky furniture. Also, if you are updating a smaller space, like a bathroom, you can use larger shapes in your designs to create the feeling of space. If you have thousands of tiny tiles, it can make a bathroom look and feel more cramped, whereas larger ones can open up the space.