Renovation is a scary word for many home owners. It means money, it means time, it means living in a home that may have unlivable spaces for weeks, or even months.

But it doesn’t always have to be about breaking the bank, or your back, to increase the value of your home. Here are six things you could do over a weekend to enhance the appeal, and price tag, of your property.

1. Pick up a paint brush

Never underestimate the value of a fresh coat of paint. It has the power to totally transform a space, room, even your whole house! By choosing the right shades you can create a clean, fresh, modern look that can make a dark room feel brighter, and a small one look larger.

It’s all about tricking the eye, and the great thing is paint is relatively low cost, and you can do it yourself (with the right techniques of course).

2. Get scrubbing and decluttering

An untidy, unclean house is a cheap house - well, that’s what buyers will think. So don’t let your property go for less than it’s worth.

It doesn’t need to be spring time for you to give your home a good scrub, and also tidy away anything that may be taking up space, or cluttering up bench tops, chairs, shelves and other surfaces. You’ll feel all the better for it, and so will the asking price on your home when it goes up for sale.

3. Plant a nice garden

Gardens don’t sell homes, but they certainly help potential buyers through the door. It’s simple maths really - the better someone feels about a property, the more they will be willing to pay for it. And everyone loves flowers and plants (don’t they?).

It’s all about saying ‘hello, nice to meet you’ and presenting your house in the best possible way for that all important first impression. So pull out those green thumbs and put together a nice garden bed (or selection of pots) with some fresh greenery.

Here’s some more curb appeal tips from the MyPropertyLife website.

4. Build a small deck

Did you know that a 30sqm deck has the potential to add 30 per cent value to your home? Of course you may not be able to go that big, but it certainly makes you realise how important an outdoor space is to potential buyers.

If you have some level ground, and entrance/doorway into the house that may just be missing something - a deck could be the answer. And as long as it isn’t more than 1 metre off the ground, you won’t need a railing either - so a small deck is an easy thing to accomplish over one sunny weekend (or maybe save it for a long weekend?)

5. Install some shelving or flat-pack storage 

Everyone loves storage - especially families with children. So it is natural that a home with lots of good cupboard space is going to be looked at favourably by potential buyers. That includes shelving too - particularly in the garden shed or garage where there are plenty of things that need to be stored away up high.

Having an organised house with extra storage is a winner, so have a think about where you could add value. Maybe there is an open roof area that could with a couple of wooden shelves to store Christmas decorations and suitcases, or stairs that have room under them where you could set up a storage space. 

6. Focus on the small stuff

Sometimes it really is the little things that can make a big difference. So think small - cupboard handles, tap ware, light fittings and fixtures. Even co-ordinating your bath towels, or buying some bright new cushions and a matching blanket for the couch can bring about a feeling of 'new-ness' like a renovation does. 

A simple refresh of housewares (without going overboard and adding more clutter) can often set you well on your way to creating a home that looks, and therefore feels, like it has a greater value. 

So you've taken care of the above - now it's time to sell your home. Is it ready to go on the market? Check out our guide for more info...