These Are The Top 10 No-Demolition Home Improvement Projects That Make Your Property More Attractive To Prospective Buyers

Andriy Blokhin - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only
Andriy Blokhin - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

Your house is an investment. As long as you take good care of it, your property will go up in value as the years pass. Sometimes, increasing the value of your home means doing expensive renovations, like a kitchen makeover or adding on a deck.

But nowadays, with inflation on the rise, many homeowners are unable to take on the costs of large renovations. Fortunately, there are less pricey ways to boost your home’s value, as well as your quality of living.

A new report from Zillow and Thumbtack has revealed the top 10 no-demolition home improvement projects that will make your property more eye-catching, especially if you’re looking to sell.

According to Thumbtack data, these no-demo projects cost less than $5,000 on average nationwide to complete — and they are super attractive to prospective buyers.

“Certain low-lift projects can deliver a high payoff because they elevate a home in the mind of a buyer,” explained Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “Many of these projects cost just several hundred dollars or could be done DIY, yet they can have a significant impact on a home’s performance on Zillow. They bring a wow factor to a home or signal that a home is up-to-date, well-maintained, or move-in ready.”

Even small changes can make a huge difference! So, here is a list of the top 10 projects that have grown in popularity among homeowners over the past year.

Window Box

Adding window boxes to your home’s exterior can give you an increase of 48 percent more saves and 52 percent more shares per day on Zillow compared to other listings without this feature.

Depending on your location and the materials used, the average national cost for professional installation is $100 to $150. Prices can range from $15 to $900 for materials.

Andriy Blokhin – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

Painted Brick

If you paint the brick on your house, you can achieve 31 percent more daily saves and 39 percent more shares on the real estate site.

On average, it costs $1.85 to $3.03 per square foot, making the national average for the entire job around $4,700 to $7,600. This includes labor, equipment, and materials.

Open Shelving

Open shelving can get your home 37 percent more saves and 45 percent more shares per day on Zillow. For professional installation, the average national cost is $275, and that is without the price of the shelves itself.

Fire Pit

There’s nothing better than gathering around a fire pit with friends and family, so installing one will definitely be worthwhile.

This project is DIY-friendly since you can just purchase a kit from your local hardware store. Homes that have one can get a 19 percent increase in saves and a 23 percent increase in shares on Zillow.

Pergola

Pergolas provide shade from the blistering heat, allowing you to spend more time outdoors. They can get you 20 percent more saves and 24 percent more shares per day on Zillow.

For a 10-by-10-foot pergola, the average national cost is $3,600, including materials and labor.

Outdoor Sound System

Compared to similar homes in your area, your house could attain 18 percent more saves and 19 percent more shares per day with an outdoor sound system. The average national cost to install one is $500 to $2,000.

Outdoor TV

If you want your listing to receive 28 percent more saves and 31 percent more shares per day on Zillow, consider equipping your home with an outdoor TV. The average national cost is $175 to $300, but it might be higher after factoring in weatherproofing and electrical capabilities.

Smart Lighting

Homes with smart lighting can bring 18 percent more saves and 23 percent more shares. Installing this modern feature will cost you about $308 on average.

Picket Fence

With a picket fence, your home can earn 27 percent more saves and 31 percent more shares per day. It costs $7 to $45 per linear foot to install one. Having a fence is also attractive to pet owners.

Vintage Finishes

Add charm, character, and warmth to your home with vintage finishes, such as crown molding. This can get you 28 percent more saves and 31 percent more shares per day in comparison to similar homes in your vicinity.

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Emily  Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a ... More about Emily Chan
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