Don’t Let Your Property’s Value Decrease
Property value has many moving parts, especially for something that itself doesn’t, well, move. The factors involved in determining property and home value are sliding scales of perception, priority, and personality. What is important to some may be a deterrent to others, so coming to a consensus on the value of a property has numerous considerations.
How is home value determined?
Size
This one is pretty straightforward – larger homes are more expensive because building bigger homes is more expensive. Depending on where you live, there is a varying cost per square foot to build a home (this has huge variations across the country based on many factors like availability of building material, contractors, remoteness, terrain, etc.).
Age
The age of your home can contribute both positively and negatively to your home value. We tend to place a high value on historical or character homes – classic homes from the early 1900s that have been well-maintained and upgraded. Conversely, homes from the mid-1900s forward that have not been updated are not seen as having high value. If your house would not fall into the historical or character home category, renovations and updating are necessary to maintain home value.
Location
Some location elements are primarily about personal priorities—some people prefer being closer to amenities, downtown cores, schools, nightlife, wilderness, hiking and biking areas, etc.
Other locational elements are less subjective. For example, we can confidently say that most of us would prefer not to live next to a dump or landfill—or a meat processing facility, power generation plant, or fire station. A property nearby could have a beautiful home and exterior landscaping, but we would likely still value it less than the same home in a more picturesque location.
Features
The features of your home and property contribute hugely to its market value. What the term ‘features’ encompasses is vast and also highly personal. Here are some features that contribute to the value of your home and property:
Home gym (including flooring, mirrors, etc.)
Home theatre room
Feature fireplace
Indoor or outdoor water features
Oversize windows
Smart home features
Finished/heated garage
Safety
Neighborhood safety is a significant factor in the value of your property. Not only is it undesirable to consider living in an area with a higher crime rate, but it will likely cost a potential buyer more in the long run too. Home insurance companies factor in the crime rate in your area and the likelihood that you’ll make a claim due to a burglary or property damage and will give you a higher rate if you live in a high crime area.
Neighborhood
You know the ones, the good neighborhoods where everyone wants to live. It might not be because the houses are beautiful and gigantic; maybe it just has a good vibe or many great locally-owned restaurants. Whatever the reason, some neighborhoods are more desirable than others, and just having your home located there can positively impact your property value.
Tree value
Tree value can reference both the trees on your property specifically, as well as the trees on your street in general. Having old and well-cared for trees provides a beautiful natural element to your property that people are drawn to, enough so that it has a noticeable effect on your property values.
School district
If you have children going to a public school, this is probably something that you’re already keenly aware of. It’s also an excellent example of how priorities are on a sliding scale regarding property value. If you don’t have children, or they attend or will attend a private school, then you’re much less likely to be willing to pay more to be in a desirable school district.
What can decrease my home’s value?
Poor maintenance and upkeep
Poor maintenance and upkeep can be a major factor that decreases the value of your home. If you neglect to keep up with necessary repairs and maintenance tasks, it can lead to larger problems down the line, which can be expensive to fix. Issues such as leaky roofs, outdated systems like plumbing and electrical, and peeling paint can affect not only your home’s appearance but also its functionality.
Crime rate
Many potential buyers are savvy about this these days, and they will check on the crime rates in neighborhoods they’re interested in purchasing in. So not only are those baddies sneaking around and damaging property or stealing bad for you, they’re bad for the overall value of your home now and into the future.
Neighborhood
Gentrification is a tricky thing when it comes to property value. It relies on an overall increase in property values throughout a neighborhood to bolster the value of individual properties.
Suppose you renovate a home in a less-desirable area with the idea that the neighborhood itself is becoming more gentrified, and that doesn’t happen as quickly as you were hoping (or at all). In that case, you have a property that’s valued is negatively impacted by the general area, not by the characteristics of the home or property itself.
Location
There’s a good reason for the old “location, location, location” adage that you’ve likely heard many times before—it’s still relevant! So many factors go into what a desirable location is or isn’t, and they can be tricky to navigate. Here are a few of the important ones to consider:
Cemeteries – generally speaking, very close proximity to a cemetery will work against your home value.
Highways – noise from roads is a detractor; while easy access is suitable for property value, it depends on your location.
Hiking trails – if you’re a hiker, this could be a suitable property feature; however, many people do not prefer to have a reason for multiple strangers to be close to their home year-round.
Construction – Construction brings noise, people, dust, and traffic. None of these are suitable for your property value.
Property history – This can be anything from being in a floodplain to having a violent crime committed on your property at some point. Some states have mandatory disclosure laws about certain things, while others do not, so the impact on your property value will depend on the history and where you live.
Tips for avoiding a low-value home
Be informed – Know what’s happening in your neighborhood and city. It might not be the most scintillating activity, but keeping an eye on your city or town council’s activity and any proposed infrastructure changes or construction permits can be a great way to help you stay ahead of the game.
Economic factors – The state of your local and national economy are one of the biggest drivers in real estate pricing. You could have an adorable home with perfect curb appeal, but your property will be valued less if you try to sell in a down economy.
Building regulations – This is a significant factor if you’ve made any additions to your home. Most municipalities require permits for building additions, and if they are not correctly acquired, it is likely to be detrimental to your property value on resale.
Hire a realtor – A realtor can focus their trained eye on areas that you can maintain or improve the home value that you might not have thought of. We get used to our homes and don’t see them with the critical eye that a potential buyer might, so having a realtor in your corner can help you keep ahead.
How to increase your home value
Remodel – It’s a big undertaking, but if you want to maintain your home value and stay competitive in the resale market, remodeling is the best way to keep your home current. That’s not to say that you have to gut your home down to the studs every ten years, but making comparatively small upgrades like creating a more open concept floor plan or putting in more oversized windows (even just repainting) will help retain property value.
A kitchen and bathroom should be essential parts when remodeling a home. When we buy houses, our primary focus is on these two rooms. Everyone desires large rooms with plenty of light. But a kitchen and bathroom sell the buyer on purchasing the property. Adding simple things such as an island to your kitchen or even brand new countertops, you can notice the value rise. If you have an outdated tub in your bathroom, replacing it with a walk-in shower could be a drastic increase.
Add features – Maybe you finish the basement or take that spare bedroom and create a home gym; anything you can add to your home that a future buyer would find attractive will work in your favor. This is also a great way to engage a real estate agent—they know what people are looking for in a home and can give you great advice on what would be an attractive feature to add to your home.
Good maintenance – Little things add up, and they can quickly amount to enough things that, together, decrease your home value— if you need to have a portion of your fence replaced, no problem. Same with new gutters, some new landscaping, or exterior paint. Taken individually, these things are not likely to decrease your property value much. But all together, they definitely will. Keeping those pesky little tasks in check is one of the best ways to make sure that you don’t have a mountain of upkeep to do when you go to sell!
Protecting your home
When it comes to maintaining and potentially increasing your property value, home warranties can be a valuable tool to consider. A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of major systems and appliances in your home. While it won’t directly add dollars to your property value, it can make your home more attractive to potential buyers and provide peace of mind to both you and them. This can be a lifesaver for homeowners, especially those who may not have the budget for unexpected repairs.
Now, how does this relate to property value? It’s all about perception and peace of mind. When potential buyers see that a home warranty covers your home, they may feel more secure about the property’s condition. It can be a selling point, assuring them that if something goes wrong after the purchase, they won’t be hit with a significant repair bill.
This added assurance can lead to a faster sale and potentially a higher selling price. It’s a subtle way to differentiate your property from others on the market. Plus, it shows that you’ve been proactive in maintaining your home, which is always a positive signal for the best home buyers.
While a home warranty won’t directly impact the size, age, or location of your property, it can indirectly influence a buyer’s perception, making your home more attractive and potentially increasing its market value. So, when you’re looking to protect and enhance your property’s worth, don’t overlook the benefits of a home warranty.
Now that you have a clear picture of the potential pitfalls that could decrease your property value and how to avoid them, you’re all set to make sure that you get the most out of your property when you choose to sell your house.
