Inexpensive Ways to Improve an Older Home's Value

By Dorothy Edison

Older homes often show the wear and tear of decades, or their maintenance may have been neglected by previous owners. If you own or buy an older home, however, there are ways to improve its appearance and efficiency - and thus increase its value - without putting a major dent in your finances.

Exterior

The all-important "curb-appeal" of an older home can be easily achieved, especially if you have an eye for detail. Pull or chemically spray weeds that are growing in sidewalk, driveway and walkway cracks. Also be sure to remove weeds growing in flowerbeds (used or unused) as well as those around the house. Keep the lawn mown at a reasonable level, and sow grass seed in bare patches.

If there are flowerbeds that remain unused, it's possible to fill them in with a self-propagating ground cover, like ivy. Just be sure to avoid climbing ivy, as this can damage the exterior of the house. You can also fill in these areas with grass or buy sod to fill in any areas that don't have plants growing. Nothing looks sadder on an older home's exterior than empty garden plots. Give them something green and growing, and the house will look better immediately.

If the house is sided and the siding appears dirty, consider giving it a good washing. If the dirt has not had much time to accumulate, sometimes taking a regular garden hose to the siding will do the trick. Otherwise, a power washing may be in order - this can be rented for little cost from your local home improvement center. While you're at it, make sure to wash down porches, patios, and decks, clean out gutters, and repair any downspouts that may have come loose or need replacement. Make sure storm windows and screens are clean and in good repair.

One way to increase value in an older home is to remove outdated elements from the exterior. Old awnings, ragged-looking fences, or an unused, rusty playset can be removed with only the cost of disposal. You may find that getting rid of these "extras" improves the look and feel of the exterior of your house more than any new addition would.

Interior

The interior of the house, whether or not you live or plan to live in it, requires special attention. Cleaning, maintenance, and updates are necessary to keep the house in livable condition.

For a small fee, you can rent carpet shampooers that will remove stains and odors from carpets. If the carpet proves to be unsalvageable, check to see if there are hardwood floors underneath the carpeting. (You can do this by lifting a corner of the carpet in a closet.) If there is, and it looks to be in decent condition, you may find that the wood floor provides a better surface than old (or even new) carpeting. If the floor seems a little worn, it may be possible to make repairs or resurface it yourself.

Are your baseboards, window frames, and doorframes painted? In many older homes, stripping years worth of paint means revealing glowing, golden wood frames and baseboards. Not only is natural wood a very desirable element to an older home, stripping the paint only requires manpower and dedication. You will need to purchase a stripping agent and appropriate safety wear (gloves and goggles), but the cost is minimal. You may consider doing the same thing for any painted doors or cabinetry.

You may have avoided the interior set of windows due to the potential high cost of replacement. However, you can do your older home a great service by making sure all windows are clean and in working order. Sticky windows may need stripped of old paint or sanded so that they glide smoothly within their frames. In addition, caulk around the windows to deter drafts. Make sure all latches or locks are in working order. Older windows may not be at peak efficiency, but you can extend their lives by properly maintaining them.

Utilities

Annual maintenance is a must, but it's never too late to start. In addition, any preventative maintenance can stave off expensive repairs. For example, have plumbing snaked yearly to clear any debris from pipes - this will help with water pressure as well as solve drainage issues. Clean out dryer vents and replace furnace filters - efficient appliances use less energy and last longer.

If you have hard water, consider the cost effectiveness of a water softener. Hard water buildup can ruin pipes, dishwashers, washing machines, faucets, and sinks over time, not to mention clothing and tableware. The cost of this device may seem prohibitive at first, but when it comes to protecting the other items in your home, a water softener can save you hundreds of dollars.

Making cost-effective improvements to your older home makes it a nicer place for you - or someone else - to live. A more desirable house is a more valuable house. And a more valuable house is a better house to have!

© Doityourself.com 2006