Scott McGillivray's 12 Inexpensive (or Free!) Ways to Add Value to Your Home

When it comes to adding value to a home, everyone tends to think of the “big hitters” – like kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, there are plenty of smaller, budget-friendly ways that can help increase the overall value of your home, too. So, if you’re putting your house on the market and want to impress potential buyers, consider these small, but effective, upgrades.

Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Scott’s Vacation House Rules, Scott’s Own Vacation House, Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.

Published March 21, 2019, Updated August 21, 2021, Updated February 22, 2022

A bungalow with a freshly-painted blue front door

Buyers Bootcamp, HGTV Canada

1 / 12

1. Paint the Front Door

If your front door has seen better days, or the colour is a little tired and dated, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders. In order to maintain (or increase) the value of your home, make sure the colour will complement the rest of your property.

Getty Images

2 / 12

2. Repair Cracks

Give your house a good once over and repair any small cracks you come across on the walls and ceiling. While you want to be careful not to mask any real problems, you definitely want to remove evidence of previous, smaller issues.

A woman sets up a dehumidifier in her home

Getty Images

3 / 12

3. Run a Dehumidifier

If your home feels even slightly damp, run a dehumidifier. Potential buyers who come to look at your home won’t notice that it’s dry and fresh-smelling, but they will notice if it’s damp and musty, and it will turn them off.

A brightly-lit blue and white home office with ceiling fans

Getty Images

4 / 12

4. Clean the Ceiling Fans

If you have ceiling fans, for the love of Pete, please wipe them down! Ceiling fans that have a two-inch layer of dust on them are just plain gross. You may not notice it, but I can guarantee that potential buyers will.

Brightly-lit living room space with lounge chairs and hardwood flooring

McGillivray Entertainment

5 / 12

5. Wash the Windows

This is one of the simplest things you can do to make your home look its best. Dirty windows don’t just make a room look darker, they actually become a bit of a focal point. Clean, mark-free windows, on the other hand, allow the maximum amount of light to come in and enhance the room.

A bedroom featuring hardwood flooring, brown cabinetry, olive walls and some wall art and cushions

Buyers Bootcamp, HGTV Canada

6 / 12

6. Paint the Baseboards

Yes, I still believe that you should paint the walls a neutral colour before putting your house on the market, but if you want an even easier project to spruce things up, paint the baseboards (and any other moulding in the room) gloss white. Baseboards easily get dirty and scuffed, and giving them a fresh, bright coat of paint will give the room an instant pick-me-up.

Spacious living space with hardwood flooring and winding staircase that leads to the second level

HGTV Canada

7 / 12

7. Quiet Your Hardwood

Squeaky hardwood floors are a common, yet unfortunate, problem that can signal to potential buyers that the home isn’t well-built. If it’s just a minor squeak, try sprinkling some baby powder between the boards. It can act as a lubricant and help eliminate those pesky sounds.

A sleek kitchen countertop with oven and tiled backsplash

Income Property, HGTV Canada

8 / 12

8. Tighten Loose Hardware

Doorknobs, cabinet hardware, switch plates, faucets – none of these should be loose. Ever! It may seem so minor, but loose hardware can subconsciously indicate to potential buyers that the house is not well-maintained.

McGillivray Entertainment

9 / 12

9. Clean Unfinished Spaces

Do you have an unfinished basement? Clean it! It may seem a little strange, but if your unfinished basement is dirty and cluttered with boxes people will look at it and think about all the work they’ll have to do to finish it themselves. But if it’s clean and empty they’ll see all the possibilities. It’s up to you to make it easy for people to imagine what they can do with the space. Make it an opportunity rather than an eyesore.

Getty Images

10 / 12

10. Clean the Inside of Appliances

When you’re cleaning the appliances don’t forget to open them up and scrub down the interior. Some potential buyers will definitely open them, and if they’re dirty and stained it will make them look old and used. Appliances that are sparkling clean – inside and out – tend to look brand new, even when they’re not.

A clean kitchen with vibrant blue cabinetry

Income Property, HGTV Canada

11 / 12

11. Paint the Cupboards

If your kitchen cupboards are looking a little dated and you don’t have the budget to replace them, give them a fresh coat of paint instead. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but the good news is that it’s not actually difficult or expensive.

The exterior of a beautiful two-storey home with a lush, green front yard surrounded by a wooded area

Getty Images

12 / 12

12. Plant a Tree

If you’re not planning to sell your house right away, plant a tree (or two). Mature trees tend to add to a property’s perceived value, so if there aren’t any when you move in you may as well plant some. Just remember to plant large trees at the far end of your yard and smaller trees closer to the house.