DIY Day: 5 Projects to Tackle Around the House

While whole-house renovations make your house more attractive to buyers, they are expensive and will eat into your profits. Fortunately, there are DIY upgrades that can boost your home's value. DIY Day is the perfect time to try your hand at these projects recommended by our real estate agents.

1. Repaint Your Walls
   Walls in a lived-in home often have visible stains, scuffs, or writing in households with children. A fresh coat of paint hides these imperfections, refreshes your home, and makes it more impressive to buyers. Additionally, painting is reasonably cheap, and you can quickly repaint your walls over the weekend.
   
   Use neutral colors like white, beige, and ivory as they let buyers imagine your home in their preferred color palettes. Light colors also make your home feel airier and more spacious. Leave sharp cut lines along trim and ceilings to dazzle potential buyers.
   
   
2. Change Faucets
   Old, leaky faucets make your bathrooms and kitchen look unappealing. Fortunately, you don't need a plumber to swap your worn-out faucets as it's a quick DIY project.
   
   You need several supplies from the hardware store, such as the new faucet, basin or socket wrench, and stainless-sleeved supply tubes. If the old faucet leaks, you may need to replace the shutoff valves. The best thing about this home project is that there are many ways to customize the finished look, as faucets have different spray nozzle types and handles.
   
   
3. Install LED Lighting
   Today's homebuyers are energy-conscious, and you can upgrade your home's lighting with more energy-efficient technology to sell faster. Keep in mind that bright, well-lit rooms invite buyers to explore while moody and outdated lighting fixtures discourage interest.
   
   LED lights are perfect for your home upgrade because they use less energy and emit soft, calming light. Install LED bulbs under kitchen cabinets to increase functionality, and in the bathroom for a classic aesthetic.
   
   If you have a row of round bulbs over the bathroom mirror, replace them with LED bulbs. Since LED fixtures don't emit unwanted heat, you can comfortably get ready in the morning. Also, LED lights consume 75% less energy than incandescent fixtures, and you can transfer these gains to a buyer for a higher home asking price.
   
   
4. Install Smart Home Devices
   Smart home technology has become more affordable and accessible, and you can revamp your home with various small gadgets. For example, smart thermostats let homeowners control heating and cooling from any location.
   
   Over time, a smart thermostat learns your family's daily routines and adjusts the temperature as required. For instance, the device warms your house to your preferred temperature just before you get home.
   
   Smart locks are great devices to boost your home's security and appeal to buyers. These gadgets track everyone who enters and leaves the home and let homeowners give access to dog walkers, babysitters, and delivery personnel.
   
   Video doorbells also enhance security by allowing two-way conversations between the person on your door and you from wherever you are. Some advanced video doorbells allow radar monitoring and automated responses and offer security alarms.
   
   
5. Add Crown Molding
   Crown molding is a simple architectural feature to install and wow potential buyers. To get started, you need a paintable caulk, caulk gun, nails and nail gun, tape measure, pencil, ladder, and miter saw.
   
   Keep in mind that there is a lot of geometry involved when installing crown molding. Shades of cream and crisp whites are popular colors for crown molding as they add visual interest and complement other tones in the home.

You don't have to spend much money on home upgrades to sell your home. Instead, focus on affordable improvements that appeal to buyers and add home value. Contact us for more tips to sell your house in Long Island.