The value of your home is determined by several factors — from the neighbourhood to the city’s property values to the structural and cosmetic conditions of the house. Whether they’re choosing to sell their property now or in the long-run, adding value to your household offers significant benefits.

It’s essential to keep in mind that not every renovation or home improvement project results in a higher listing price. We’re going to look at the five key home improvement projects that homeowners can use to maximize their investment return.

1. Roof Repair

If you’re going to tackle a home improvement project, why not start at the top? Homeowners often neglect their roofs because of their expensive maintenance and repair costs. While the upfront costs can be significant, this project can deliver considerable capital when it comes time to sell your home. Additionally, repairing your roof will likely be a one-time project, as most roofs can last for at least 10 years.

A new roof will protect you and your family from the elements — whether it’s a harsh rainstorm or heavy snowfalls for homeowners in colder climates. Today’s roof singles offer increased energy efficiency — which will benefit your budget in the long-run.

In addition to weather protection, enhanced curb appeal, and a greater resale value, a well-maintained roof will keep out unwanted local wildlife. Homeowners have experience raccoon infestations in their attics or crawlspaces due to an old, ill-maintained roof.

The experts at Wildlife Shield have seen it all when it comes to dealing with residential wildlife. That’s why they offer their professional services as a raccoon removal company in Richmond Hill and the GTA. Their experts will carefully remove unwanted wildlife from attics, decks, or roofs.

2. Kitchen Upgrade

For many homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of their home — this means upgrades in this room are likely to pay off significantly. The price tag for kitchen repairs can range, depending on how much demolition will need to be done and the quality of big-ticket items like countertops or flooring. Ideally, the kitchen should never look like it doesn’t fit with the rest of the house. So if your kitchen is full of top-of-the-line features while the rest of your home is dated, you may not get back as much money as you thought.

The good news is you don’t need to drain your bank account to increase the value of your kitchen. A fresh coat of paint — preferably in a neutral colour to attract as many buyers as possible — is a great place to start. Purchasing new cabinets can inflate your budget. Since you have the paint supplies anyway, you can easily upgrade the drawers and doors. For an added modern element, switch out the hardware on the cabinets. Often, the simplest tweaks to your home can increase its value.

3. Energy-Efficiency

Today’s homeowners are looking for homes with modern upgrades that also have a safe environmental impact. Buyers are shopping with the environment in mind. One of the easiest ways to appeal to new buyers is to ensure your windows are energy-efficient.

According to HGTV, you can earn back 60 to 90 percent of the costs when you invest in energy-conscious windows. Some cities even offer tax rebates for choosing to go green. Window replacement is a non-aggressive home maintenance project with real potential for a higher investment return.

4. Appealing Landscaping

The exterior of your home is the first impression for potential buyers. While it shouldn’t take up a significant amount of your maintenance budget, adding a few visual elements to the front of your home often results in the increased value sellers are looking for.

When it comes to landscaping, keeping the upgrades small is better than planting excessive, lush gardens. Buyers will see those gardens as major upkeeps, and it might deter them from putting in an offer. Smaller or medium-sized flower beds are often just enough to give your property the curb appeal it needs.

If your property has a fence surrounding the home, it’s essential that its structure is intact and it looks clean and presentable. A well-maintained wooden fence is a significant value to your property — buyers won’t have to worry about spacing or height issues with potential neighbours.

5. Smart Accessories

Young professionals and families are more tuned into smart devices than previous generations. While Bluetooth-enabled sound systems or virtual assistants are exciting to have in the home, adding value to your property is about incorporating intelligent devices in a way that helps the home function safer and more efficiently.

Like energy-efficient appliances, a smart thermostat is a beneficial tool for homeowners who want a more cost-conscious home maintenance approach. Smart thermostats can adjust your home’s energy usage to reflect your city’s current gas and electric prices. Additionally, these models can be accessed from your mobile device, so you can ensure the temperature is set, and you’re using as little energy when you’re not home.