by Taliah Karim 
Of all the investments we make in life, owning a home is one of the biggest. And while it’s a great investment that can increase in value over time, it’s also important to know that there are things that can decrease the value of your home. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the things that can lower the value of your home and offer tips on how to fix or stay away from them.
Lack of maintenance: One of the biggest things that can decrease the value of your home is a lack of maintenance. It’s important to keep your home in good repair, both inside and out. Simple things like fixing leaky faucets, painting the walls, and cleaning the gutters can make a big difference.
Poor landscaping: Your yard is often the first thing people see when they visit your home, so it’s important to keep it looking neat and tidy. A poorly landscaped yard can make your home look unappealing and decrease its value. To fix this, consider hiring a professional landscaper or doing some research online to get ideas for how to improve your yard.
Outdated fixtures and appliances: If your home has outdated fixtures and appliances, it can make your home look old and worn out. Upgrading your appliances and fixtures can not only make your home look nicer, but it can also increase its value. This doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy top-of-the-line appliances, but updating to something more modern can make a big difference.
Poor energy efficiency: As energy costs continue to rise, more and more homebuyers are looking for homes that are energy efficient. If your home is not energy efficient, it can decrease its value. To fix this, consider adding insulation, upgrading your windows, or installing energy-efficient appliances.
Home additions that are out of character: While home additions can be a great way to increase the living space in your home, it’s important to make sure they’re in keeping with the character of your home. Adding something that looks out of place can decrease the value of your home. Consider consulting with a professional architect to make sure any home additions are in keeping with the style of your home.
Poorly done DIY projects: DIY projects can be a great way to save money on home repairs and upgrades, but if they’re not done properly, they can decrease the value of your home. If you’re not experienced with DIY projects, consider hiring a professional to do the work for you.
In conclusion, there are many things that can decrease the value of your home, but by taking some simple steps to maintain your home, upgrading outdated fixtures and appliances, keeping your yard well-maintained, addressing bad odors, improving energy efficiency, making sure any home additions are in keeping with the character of your home, and being careful with DIY projects, you can help maintain or even increase the value of your home.
