Satya
Are you and your family looking to move to a new property in the next year and need to sell the one you’re currently living in? Or are you looking at your family home as a long-term investment, and you now have the money to finally get it up to standard?
Either way, increasing your home’s value can feel like a daunting task, as each year, what buyers are looking for in a property they want to buy seems to change. Luckily, there are some key options or changes that you can make to your home that will be sure to increase its value, and here, you’ll be walked through what those are. Enjoy!
The Backyard
Starting with a space that’s often overlooked, the backyard in your home is a key area to invest in if you want to increase your home’s value.
This doesn’t mean that you have to add a lot of statues to it or pave it over and turn it into a secondary parking spot. You can upgrade your backyard and your home with some simple tips, such as adding a retractable awning for decks, making sure that your deck is in good condition, and simply making sure that the fence around your backyard is also in good condition. Buyers are likely to be less than impressed if your fence is rotting or if your deck has termites or other pests, so make sure that all the basics are in good condition.
For the backyard itself, you can plant evergreen shrubs and easy-to-care-for plants, like conifers and lavender.
The Kitchen
Next, the heart of the home, or the kitchen, is another space that may need a bit of tweaking to increase your home’s value.
Interestingly, going into 2026, many homeowners are opting for appliances that have a retro and modern feel to them. For example, having a fridge with a design similar to a 1950s fridge is popular, as well as having appliances that have smart features, such as a dishwasher connected to a smart device. In terms of countertops, the key things that home buyers are looking for are low maintenance, so try to opt for easy-to-clean stone if you can. Even though it looks appealing, try to avoid wooden countertops, as these can accumulate nicks and knife marks, as well as be a breeding space for mold without correct maintenance.
If your kitchen appliances are out of date, it may be time to upgrade them, but always aim to have higher energy-efficient kitchen options where possible, as this will make your kitchen and home more appealing to potential buyers.
Look At The Outside
The first thing potential buyers will see when looking for a home is the outside of your house. So, you need to make sure that it’s up to standard and that any external features which may make the home look less appealing are removed and replaced if possible.
This could be anything from a wooden external door which has started to discolor, all the way to dirty or chipped windows. If you can, try to get double or triple-glazed windows installed, as these can be identified from the outside and will also influence the curb appeal of your home. Much like the work that could be done on the backyard, if you have a front garden, try to keep weeds to a minimum and if there’s a fence around the front of your home, try to ensure that it’s kept in good condition.
Another thing to look at is the security features and the lighting at the front of your home. Many homeowners who have been looking to increase their home’s value have installed a smart doorbell, like Ring, and opted for motion-sensitive lighting. The latter means that potential new owners won’t need to invest in this, making it more appealing than a home that still needs this security feature installed. If your budget can extend a little bit further, it may even be worth also getting CCTV installed to really up the security and safety features of your home.
Solar Panels
You must have known that solar panels were going to be on here! Based on where you live, you can apply to your local government for a grant to help you pay for the installation of solar panels, which will make this investment more affordable.
Long-term, solar panels can increase the value of your home by over $10,000, as they ensure a reduction in energy bills for potential buyers. Best of all, in the short term, any energy from your solar panels that you don’t use can be sold back to your local grid, helping you to make even more money to upgrade other parts of your home.
Smart Homes
Smart homes have been on the up and up in recent years and in the buyers’ market, they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Many homes now have an AI-assistant, as well as a smart camera, and even smart accessories for the home, like robot vacuum cleaners and devices that can be turned on and off from a smartphone. Everything from heating to lights can now be programmed at the tap of a smartphone, and unsurprisingly, this is appealing to many potential home buyers. Why? It shows that the home can be personalized to what they may want, which is likely to be convenience and simplicity, especially if they have young children. So, aim to have your home upgraded with at least two smart devices, as this will make the space feel more modern.
Remember, there are some trends that come and go, and when you’re looking to upgrade your home to increase its value, it’s best to choose options that are somewhat timeless. So, try to improve the energy efficiency of your home and aim to keep the outdoor spaces neat and tidy if you can. Long-term, this will make it easier to maintain your home and will mean less work should you ever want to put it on the market.
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