When you start talking about what you can do to improve your property value, you may start seeing dollar signs. As the old saying goes, it takes money to make money. However, it doesn't have to be this way regarding your home.
Did you know you can boost your home's value simply by putting in some hard work and sweat equity?
What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat equity is defined as the work that a homeowner or investor puts into their property that will ultimately increase the home's value. You can calculate the sweat equity of any project by determining how much you can sell your property for now versus how much it would have sold for with those improvements.
How Can Sweat Equity Improve Your Property Value?
Sweat equity helps you improve your property value in several ways:
- Pouring sweat equity into a chosen project — such as a kitchen renovation or a basement refinishing — makes your home more appealing to prospective buyers.
- Sweat equity reduces the overall cost of your project because you are not paying for additional labor. Ultimately, that allows you to enjoy a bigger return on your investment.
Should You DIY Your Next Project or Hire it Out?
Earning some sweat equity probably sounds pretty appealing, and it may make sense for you to take on the job yourself depending on the project. When deciding whether you should DIY your next home improvement project or hire a contractor, consider the following:
- Your experience and skills. You will want to be adequately prepared to get the job done right.
- Your current availability. You will need the time to complete the project.
- Your budget. The amount of money that you have allocated for the project will determine whether you should DIY or not.
When you have the time, inclination and skill set, it's better to save your cash and attempt to complete your next home improvement project on your own. Not only will this lower the total cost of the project because you will not be paying for labor, but it also will increase the return on your investment. Sweat equity tends to pay off in big ways, so give it a try next time!
About the Author
Robin Anderson Real Estate
“My Passion is people and relationships and I promise to provide my clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs.” -Robin Anderson
Georgia native, Robin Anderson brings her passion for people and her love of homes to work for her clients. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, Ellen and Drew. They currently live in Fulton County, but Robin has lived and invested in properties throughout metro Atlanta as well as helped clients buy and sell. She has been integral to many real estate endeavors including designing and building several custom homes, remodeling homes, subdividing land, managing rental properties, and buying and selling properties. She spent her first 3 years in real estate working with a new home builder, and she has spent the last 6 years working with buyers and sellers in her own community. Robin is highly motivated but sensitive to the fact that buying and selling homes can be an emotional experience, so she makes it a priority to keep clients closely informed throughout the process and strives to produce quick results. She appreciates the opportunity to help her clients navigate the real estate process, and she aspires to deliver quality customer service that is both informative and positive. She is driven to provide outstanding service for her clients and she is focused on building successful and lasting relationships with her clients. This personalized service earns her enthusiastic referrals from clients she is pleased to call friends.Edit
