Image via WikipediaFinding easy do-it-yourself projects that can add value to your home can mean different things to different people. What’s considered “easy” is often in the eye of the beholder and what’s easy to one person might not necessarily be easy to the next. There is the type of easy that might not require much physical labor but takes a certain level of skill or ability to complete.

Then there are the projects that take a lot of physical work, but not much mental prowess. However, there are certain projects that you might be able to take on yourself, that aren’t ridiculously difficult in either aspect, but that could produce significant results in the effort to add value to your home

An asphalt driveway can take quite a beating throughout the year, especially if you live in a location with heavy sun, dramatic temperature changes or snow. You might discover that certain portions of your drive are starting to crack or that the top layer of protective coating is beginning to slowly wear away. If this is the case, it can leave your driveway look old and uncared for.

In an effort to waylay the signs of aging and to preserve your driveway, a fresh coat of sealer on top of the asphalt could have it looking like new again. With a long-handled squeegee, a couple of five gallon buckets of sealer (depending upon the area of your driveway and amount of wear, you may need more than this), a push broom for cleaning the surface before you begin, and a warm, sunny, dry afternoon, this DIY project could make a significant difference in the overall appearance of your driveway.

When a tub or sink’s enamel surface begins to become cracked, chipped or scratched, you might be thinking it’s time for new one -- but wait! Rather than laying out hundreds of dollars or more for a completely new item, it can be worth your while to check out the various patch or refinish supplies currently on the market. You could find that with a purchase of just $20 or $30, you can refinish or patch your sink or tub to remove blemishes or make it look brand new.


Damaged or dirty floors can make a nice house look old, dingy and worn. But replacing wood or carpet completely can be expensive. Therefore, depending upon the level of wear of course, it could be a good idea to consider cleaning your floors. You might be amazed at what a difference a good cleaning can make, and how little it costs if you do it yourself. With wood floors, sanding and refinishing can be a fairly labor intensive process but the finish you get could have them looking like new. With carpeted areas, the process might not be as physically demanding if you go out and rent a carpet cleaning machine, but depending upon the wear, traffic patterns, and stains on your carpet, might not have as large of an impact as a wood floor refinish might.


The hardest part of installing new blinds, curtains or sheers may be the initial selection process, especially if you are looking for an atypical size or style. And while installing such items might not seem like it would make much of an impact upon the value of your home, such additions could make a significant difference in the overall appearance of a room or room, especially when compared to the costs. Like a good paint job, your window treatments can go a long way in changing the entire look of a room and often for a quite reasonable price.

Roger is a real estate broker that specializes in homes in West University. For more information on West University Place and other luxury neighborhoods in Houston visit http://www.rogermartinproperties.com.