9 Surprising Things That Could Improve Your Home's Value

When you're considering factors that could improve the value of your home, a few things may be obvious. If your roof is nearing the end of its life, replace it. And, of course, the same goes for anything else about the place that's clearly seen better days.

Proper maintenance goes a long way toward home value as your property ages. Making sure the kitchens and bathrooms are up to date with desirable features can go a long way, too. But let's explore a few of the less obvious things that might increase the value of a home.

5 Stocks Under $49

Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor

We hear it over and over from investors, "I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I'd be sitting on a gold mine!" It's true, but we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Click here to learn how you can grab a copy of "5 Growth Stocks Under $49" for FREE for a limited time only.

We all know that location is crucial when it comes to real estate. The details of what exactly that means and how it all breaks down can be a bit more complicated.

It makes sense that living near a supermarket has been demonstrated to increase home value because of the convenience factor. But interestingly, recent reports have indicated that being near a Trader Joe's or a Starbucks, specifically, can have an even greater positive impact on the value of a home.

ALSO READ: 6 Things to Know About Investing in Commercial Real Estate

You may be surprised to learn that the actual numbers and names that make up your address can impact your property value. Does your address use a street name rather than a number? That can have a positive impact on your property value.

Does the address end in place, boulevard, or road? That beats drive, street, or avenue. Apparently, sometimes an address isn’t about the location so much as the way people perceive that address when they hear it.

Curb appeal is the first thing people notice when they first set foot on a property to check it out. Lovely flower beds and some well-placed trees and shrubs can go a long way toward improving the look and feel of a home.

That's why nice landscaping that complements the property well and isn't too high-maintenance increases a home's value. So does the presence of mature trees in the yard.

ALSO READ: 15 Things to Know Before Buying a Rental Property

Most people don't want to live in a neighborhood that's all concrete and buildings. They'd rather see plenty of nature mixed in: Think grass, trees, and the accompanying birds and squirrels. That's why homes in neighborhoods that incorporate parks and playgrounds and even those that just have plenty of trees lining the streets have higher values.

And speaking of green, this one was the biggest surprise for me on this list. If you're in a state that's legalized marijuana in any form, congratulations. You probably got a home value boost out of the deal.

Apparently, that's thanks to the impact of the marijuana sales tax on public services and infrastructure. File this one under things you can't really control too much but are just plain interesting to know.

5 Stocks Under $49

Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor

We hear it over and over from investors, "I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I'd be sitting on a gold mine!" It's true, but we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Click here to learn how you can grab a copy of "5 Growth Stocks Under $49" for FREE for a limited time only.

Deciding what color your front door should be can be difficult. Should it blend in subtly or really pop? Do you want it to match the shutters or the flowers? If a black door could work with your home's look, this task may have just gotten a lot easier.

A Zillow survey revealed that homes with black front doors sold for around $6,000 more than those without. That's an incredible price boost for such a small detail.

ALSO READ: 15 Ways to Make Home Renovations More Affordable

If you're keeping your home's value in mind, you may want to make sure any remodeling you undertake incorporates fixtures and décor that are likely to be agreeable to just about anyone. The key word here is agreeable -- because it's, of course, impossible to decorate in a way that will be absolutely ideal for everyone.

But if you've used very bold, distinct colors and patterns throughout the home -- in everything from paint colors to wallpaper and tile -- that can be a turnoff. Buyers are often willing to offer more for a home they won't feel the need to make changes to immediately after they move in.

The ability to feel safe in a home is crucial, so it probably shouldn't be too surprising that anything that threatens that feeling could impact the property's value. This factor is, unfortunately, largely beyond your control, but having no sex offenders living near your home increases its value.

This information is public record, and you can enter your address or the address of a home you're considering purchasing into the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website to see whether any offenders are currently living nearby.

ALSO READ: 7 Things to Avoid When Buying a Rental Property

You may tend to look at your home in isolation when determining what its value might be, or you may consider the neighborhood in general. But the value of specific nearby homes can have a significant impact on your own home's value.

That's because appraisers use comps, or comparable sales, to help determine your home's value. And if the most comparable recent sale to yours is actually a nicer home, this can work in your favor. This is why having the best house on the block may not be that great, even if you are in a nice neighborhood.

Some of these issues, like landscaping and décor, are things you can do something about. Others, like your address or how close you are to desirable commercial properties, are things you may wish to keep in mind while house hunting but that are largely beyond your control after that.

Whether you're looking to buy an investment property or family home or just maximize the investment you already have, knowing the potential financial impact of a wide variety of factors can help you make better choices.

Nell McPherson has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns and recommends Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: short April 2022 $100 calls on Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.