HOMEOWNERS looking to boost the resale value of their homes or simply revive their living spaces can do so via six affordable updates starting at just $2.38.
A real estate expert shared how homeowners can maximize their returns, spending $1,500 or less on upgrades that will add up to $15,000 in value to their homes.
A real estate expert shared his top tips for boosting the value of a home without breaking the bank[/caption]
Homeowners can transform their spaces on a budget and raise the resale value of their house by up to $15,000[/caption]
The number of houses on the market has continued to rise, with new listings in late May up 8.2% compared to the same period in 2024, per Realtor.com economists.
For Americans looking to sell their homes, this means that they must stand out somehow in such a fierce market.
Berkshire Hathaway real estate broker Zell Melendez shared his top six tips for bumping up a home’s value by $15,000 with an investment of $1,500 or less in a Facebook reel.
“Listen up, homeowners — it’s time to turn your place into the champ of the market!” Melendez captioned his post. “I’m talking about simple, low-cost upgrades that pack a punch and boost your home’s value.”
1. UPGRADE YOUR HARDWARE
The real estate expert’s first tip to “bring the WOW factor” is to update all the hardware in your home, from drawer and cabinet handles in the kitchen and bathrooms to doorknobs.
“Swap out those tired, shiny brass knobs for bold matte black,” said Melendez. “It’s sleek. It’s modern. It’s the eyebrow raise your home needs.”
Upgrading your hardware is comparable to giving your home a “fresh haircut and it’s low cost. Little details can mean a big perception shift when it comes to the value at home,” he told Realtor.com.
Homeowners can get their hands on classic round matte black cabinet knobs starting at just $2.38 each at home improvement retailers.
Melendez also advised changing the faucets, saying that the simple swap helps modernize bathrooms and kitchens and make them feel brand new.
“Out with the old chrome. In with the matte black or brushed gold,” he said, explaining that the switch adds value to a home by enhancing the aesthetic.
2. PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR
To boost the resale value of your home, the real estate expert also suggested upgrading your place’s aesthetics with a fresh coat of paint on the front door.
Homeowners can take their home’s look to the next level with a new knocker as well.
“That’s your home’s version of walking into a room and commanding attention,” said Melendez.
Those looking to sell their homes quickly should consider painting their front door blue.
“Over the years, we have spotted a pattern where homes with navy blue front doors tend to attract more attention and sell faster than comparable properties with different colors,” Terry Fisher from We Buy Any Home told Wales Online.
“It’s remarkable how a seemingly small detail can have such a significant impact on buyer perception.”
On the inside of the home, homeowners can instantly transform the space by painting a bold accent wall or a whole room in a neutral, clean shade.
“Feels fresh, looks pro,” said Melendez.
3. UPDATE YOUR LIGHTING
Melendez advised homeowners looking to increase their home’s value to swap “trade boring lights for bold pendants, LED recessed lights, or even a chandelier.”
“Set the vibe right from the front door to the kitchen showdown,” he said.
For example, adding under-cabinet lighting can signal “instant luxury,” he told Realtor.com, which can be as easy as installing LED strips under the cabinets.
“It’s like giving your kitchen its own spotlight,” said Melendez.
Upgrading the lighting throughout your home “makes a space feel bigger, more luxurious, and improves the mood. The mood is what’s going to bring people to even want to go deeper in the home,” he added.
When it comes to those little updates in some of the homes, a lot of people are bidding for those homes that have those little touches that showcase them a little differently compared to the homes that are sitting there.”
Zell Melendez
4. UPGRADE YOUR THERMOSTAT
Another easy and affordable way to raise the value of a home is by updating technology such as the thermostat.
“Show buyers you’re living in 2025,” said Melendez.
He said that a Google Nest thermostat or Ecobee thermostat, for example, would help to bring tech and efficiency to one’s house.
Installing a new and modern thermostat also provides a homeowner “bonus points” when it comes time to list their home for sale on the market.
5. REGROUT YOUR TILE
Another way to boost the resale value of your place is to regrout the tile, an inexpensive way to give your bathroom a fresh look.
“It’s like giving your bathroom a facelift without the plastic surgery bill,” says Melendez. “Bright, clean, and ready to impress.”
Regrouting your tile is not only affordable – with a 10-pound bag of grout costing roughly $20 – but also makes a potential buyer feel as if there is one less move-in project for them to handle.
“They’re happy. Their eyes move on, and they move to the next room,” Melendez told Realtor.com.
6. UPGRADE YOUR LANDSCAPING
Homeowners looking to put their house up for sale can maximize their returns by upgrading their landscaping.
Melendez advised trimming down your bushes and grass, adding fresh mulch, and adding a pop of color with flowers to make a positive first impression on prospective buyers.
The outside appearance of your home could be the difference between the buyer stepping foot inside or skipping over to the next place on their list.
“When it comes to those little updates in some of the homes, a lot of people are bidding for those homes that have those little touches that showcase them a little differently compared to the homes that are sitting there,” said Melendez.
“People just want to move right in. They don’t want to have to think… this is going to cost me money.”
As homeowners upgrade their houses, prospective buyers should be aware of the top cities where they can earn over $100,000 a year and still be broke.
Plus, check out why there are mounting fears over the rise of zombie foreclosures and the five states where shoppers are “priced out.”
