A recent poll identified not being able to sell one’s current home as a homeowner’s greatest fear. In an age where, according to HGTV, every home should be a stylized showroom, fearing that your home won’t live up to the competition is all too real.

Here are 10 great ways to cheaply increase your home’s value.

1. Organize, Clean And De-Clutter.

Hire a professional cleaning service to clean your entire home. De-clutter your rooms to make them look more spacious – a big selling point for buyers.

And either sell your stuff, give it away or put it in storage.

Cost: $400

Value: $2,000

ROI: 400%

2. Light Up The House

Spending as little as $100-$400 on new lighting fixtures can bring your home’s best features to light.

Cost: $100 to $400

Value: $1,600 when $400 is spent

ROI: 300%

If you invest $1,500 in lighting, you can turn an average profit of $7,800. Giving your home’s value a boost of over $9,000.

Invest for the future – choose Internet of Things devices that can be controlled with a smartphone.

3. Maintenance and Inspection

Bring in a local designer to give you tips and suggestions for small changes that can help increase value.

Get an inspection to make sure there are no plumbing leaks, electrical problems, issues with the septic system or furnace, leaky windows, heating or insulation issues.

Cost: $800 for repairs

Value: $3,000

ROI: 275%

4. Landscaping In The First Impression

Increase your curb appeal by cleaning up your yard and plantings. If the outside of your home looks unkempt, it gives the impression to potential buyers that the rest of the house is just as unkempt. Also, overgrown gardens can block sunlight and the views, as well as allowing mold to grow.

Cost: $400 to $600

Value: $1,500 to $2,000

ROI: 200 to 275%

5. Update The Flooring

Shampoo or replace carpets. Add hardwood floors or repair existing ones.

Cost: $600 to $900

Value: Up to $2,000

ROI: 110 to 233%

6. Fresh Paint

Paint the walls and the baseboards and trim with a neutral color. Doing it yourself will save money, but hiring a painter will get it done faster and professionally.

Cost: $900 to $1,000

Value: $2,000

ROI: 100 to 120%

If you invest $2,000 on fresh paint for the whole house, it can result in a $3,000 profit, adding about $5,000 to the home’s value.

7. Upgrade Your Roof

Repairing or replacing your roof can cost up to $12,000. But simply adding a cupola adds elegance and curb appeal for less money.

Cost: $500 to $1,500

Value: $500 to $2,500

ROI: 66 to 233%

8. Paint The Exterior

Anything that helps add to your curb appeal is a worthy investment. Power washing and painting the exterior of your home is a great way to add value.

Cost: $1,400

Value: $2,100

ROI: 50%

9. Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel

If your cabinets are in good shape, an easy way to spruce up your kitchen or bathroom is simply painting the cabinetry.

An updated kitchen and/or bathroom with fresh paint, new countertops, stainless steel fixtures, new hardware and lighting can add an extra $2,000 to $3,000 to the value of your home.

Cost: $1,900

Value: $3,200

ROI: 68%

A $500 investment in making some small changes can increase value, too.

1. Remove rust stains
2. Apply new caulk
3. Update knobs & pulls
4. Replace faucets
5. Install an eco-friendly toilet

Adding a half bath to your home adds up to 10% to your home’s value, while a full bath adds about 20%.

10. High Quality Photos of Your Home

After you put in all this work on your home, don’t forget to use high resolution images when you post photos online.

90% of buyers start their new home search on the internet. Make sure you post plenty of really good quality photos to draw the interest of potential buyers.

These tips will help you put your home’s best foot forward – without costing an arm and a leg!

Simms Development builds new urban townhomes in downtown Dayton and other surrounding areas including Centerville and Springboro, OH.  Please visit www.simmsdev.com for more information.