If you’re lucky enough to own a home by a lake, you know how peaceful sitting looking out over the water can be. You’re also likely aware that such homes generally have a steady stream of people interested in buying them as soon as they go on the market.
Although a lake home can be prime real estate, there are several things you can do to both enhance your enjoyment of your property as well as increase your home’s value when it comes time to sell it. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to reap the benefits.
The following are 8 DIY projects that can increase the value of your lake property:
1. Improve your landscaping
Although the lake water can be captivating, your home will increase in desirability if you spruce up your landscaping by adding trees, shrubs, and bedding plants to your property. The concept of curb appeal applies to lake homes as well as suburban ones.
2. Give your kitchen a cheap facelift
You can make your cottage kitchen look more current without having to spend a lot of money. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and the cabinets as well as new drawer pulls and cabinet handles can update your kitchen for less than $100.
3. Add an outdoor seating area
Every lake home should have an outdoor seating area. However, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a multi-level deck to be able to enjoy the outdoors. Pouring a small, concrete patio can be a DIY project. Or, you can carve out a secret seating area with a garden bench or pergola and add a stone or brick path leading from the house.
4. Swap out the faucets
Getting rid of tired bathroom and kitchen faucets are another inexpensive DIY to update your rooms. Modern faucets not only are less likely to drip or leak, but they add a sleek look to your rooms.
5. Update your lighting… inside and out
Replacing your old lighting fixtures is an easy and affordable way to add value and beauty to your lake home. And, don’t stop with the inside lights, solar lights lining a pathway to the water and/or well-placed spot lights that accent your planting can add intrigue and allure to your landscaping.
6. Anything that saves energy
According to the Residential Energy Services Network, you’ll boost your home’s property value by $20 for every dollar your improvement saves on your annual energy costs. You don’t have to invest a lot to make a big impact. Things like weather stripping, additional attic insulation, and a blanket for your water heater can add hundreds to your home’s value.
7. Replace your front door
According to “This Old House” magazine, replacing your front door and door hardware is one of the best ways to add value to your property and make it more attractive to potential home buyers. They maintain that home buyers make up their mind about a property in the first seven seconds. That means your entrance way needs to look sharp.
8. Install new flooring
The right flooring can pay you back double your investment when it comes time to sell. This is especially true with lake homes, where sand and water can take their toll on traditional flooring. Good choices for lake homes include vinyl flooring, which is virtually impervious to water and cleans up easily.
Remember: you don’t have to spend a fortune to enhance your lake home’s property value. A little paint, some well-placed trees and shrubs, an outdoor sitting area, and some new lighting can take your home from mediocre to marvelous without breaking your budget.