<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=331510594798275&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Skip to Content Oregonians Credit Union Oregonians Credit Union
  • Save & Spend
    Save & Spend See an Overview
    • Current Rates
    • Disclosures
    • Fee Schedule
    • Credit Calculators
    • Savings
      • Regular Share Accounts
      • Youth Savings
      • Homebuyer Savings
      • Money Market Accounts
      • Club Accounts
      • Share Certificates
      • IRA Accounts
    • Checking
      • My Rewards Checking
      • My Interest Checking
      • Checking Comparison
    • Credit
      • Credit Cards
      • Overdraft Line of Credit
    • Digital
      • Digital Banking Online
      • Mobile App
      • Digital Payments
      • Mobile Wallets
  • Borrow
    Borrow See an Overview
    • Current Rates
    • Mortgage Rates
    • Loan Calculators
    • Mortgage Calculators
    • Auto
      • New & Used
      • First Time Auto Buyer
      • Local Car Search
    • Home
      • HELOCs
      • Fixed Rate Equity
      • Mortgages
      • Home Improvement
    • Personal
      • Personal Loans
      • Line of Credit
      • Share Secured Loans
    • Recreational
      • Bicycles & Electric Bikes
      • RVs & ATVs
      • Motorcycles
  • Plan
    Plan See an Overview
    • Retirement Calculators
    • Financial Planning
    • Insurance
      • Auto
      • Home
      • AD&D
      • Life
    • Protections
      • Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
      • Mechanical Repair Coverage (MRC)
      • Debt Protection

    Featured Program

    Oregonians Financial Planning image with father and baby walking

    Oregonians Financial Planning

    Plan for the road ahead and manage your wealth along the way.

    Learn more
  • Business
    Business
    • Current Rates
    • Disclosures
    • Fee Schedule
    • Business Checking
      • Business Membership
      • Small Business Checking
      • Business Interest Checking
    • Business Loans
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Investment & Rental Property
      • Equipment Loans
      • Term Loans
      • Credit Cards
      • Line of Credit
    • Business Resources
      • See all
  • Learn
    Learn See an Overview
    • Education Explore videos, blogs, fraud prevention tips, and our knowledge base of information..
      • InfORmed Blog
      • FAQs Knowledge Base
      • Fraud Watch
    • Financial Tools Browse calculators, applications, disclosures, and apply for hardship assistance.
      • Resources & Disclosures
      • Calculators
      • Hardship Assistance

    Featured Resource

    It’s a Money Thing

    Get money savvy fast with fun videos and lesson plans on earning, saving, and more!

    Learn more
  • About
    About
    • About Us
      • Who Can Join
      • Community Involvement
      • Scholarships
      • Latest Annual Report
      • Careers
    • Locations
      • Beaverton
      • Gresham
      • Milwaukie
      • NE Portland
      • Oregon City
      • Prineville
      • St. Johns

    CO-OP logo

    30,000+ fee-free ATMs

    Get cash at 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide, many of which will take deposits into your Oregonians accounts.

    Find an ATM
  • I want to...
    • Become a Member
    • Talk to Someone
    • Apply for a Loan
    • Open an Account
    • Check Loan Status
    • See Current Rates
Account Access
  • Forgot Password
  • Forgot User Name

Don't have an account?

Enroll
Routing #: 323075709
  • Locations
  • Rates
  • Contact
Call or Text: 503-239-5336
Join
  • I want to...
    • Become a Member
    • Talk to Someone
    • Apply for a Loan
    • Open an Account
    • Check Loan Status
    • See Current Rates
  • Locations
  • Rates
  • Contact
Account Access
  • Forgot Password
  • Forgot User Name

Don't have an account?

Enroll
Blog
    • Everyday Finance
    • Budgeting
    • Fraud Prevention
    • Finances
    • Savings
    • Holidays
    • Scams
    • Home Financing
    • Debt
    • Saving
    • Credit Cards
    • Investing
    • Car Buying
    • Fraud Watch
    • Home Improvement
    • Community
    • Homeownership
    • identity theft
    • Taxes
    • bills
    • Insurance
    • Travel Tips
    • Financial Wellness
    • Mortgage
    • retirement
    • vacation
    • Financial Security
    • shopping
    • Credit
    • General Health
    • Home Loans
    • car
    • house
    • investment
    • marriage
    • school
    • summer
    • 401(k)
    • Cash
    • frugal living
    • heloc
    • interest
    • job hunting
    • parenting
    • thanksgiving
    • winter
    • Auto Loans
    • DIY
    • Debit
    • First-Time Homeowner
    • Home Equity Loan
    • Home Inspection
    • Housing Market
    • Mobile Wallets
    • Mortgages
    • Personal Loans
    • Scholarships
    • Selling Your Home
    • Share Secured Loans
    • Spending
    • Student Loan
    • Telemarketing
    • Your Credit
    • camping
    • credit card
    • financing
    • gas
    • goals
    • grant
    • hacker
    • health insurance
    • heritage
    • insurance myths
    • insurance policy
    • kids and money
    • life insurance
    • malware
    • medical history
    • money management
    • mother's day
    • motorcycle
    • mutual funds
    • rv
    • samsung pay
    • security
    • single parents
    • skip payment
    • skipapay
    • spanish
    • stimulus
    • technology
    • thriving
    • trade in
    • wellness

Top 5 Tricks for Increasing the Value of Your Home

Oregonians Credit Union Oregonians Credit Union Jul 22, 2020 3 min

Whether you're about to list your house for sale on the market or you've just moved in and plan to stay awhile, you should make the most of the money you invest into your home in the form of upgrades, repairs and remodels. To be sure you see a return on these types of investments, you must spend your money wisely, making not just the upgrades that you would enjoy having in your home, but also those that will increase your home's value from the perspective of potential buyers and future appraisers. Consider the following tips before you decide which upgrades are worth it and which renovations can wait for the next owner's bank account. 

1. Listen to Popular Demand

The top three items on millennials' list of home-buying priorities are kitchens, bathrooms, and floor plans. Maximize your return on investment with minor upgrades, rather than complete remodels. Spring for new, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, a fresh coat of paint, and low-maintenance flooring. Update the bathroom with a modern look. Make minor upgrades, if possible, to achieve an open floor plan with flexible, multi-use living space. 

2. Get and Stay Organized

Keeping up with your list of chores might not seem like an investment because you don't actually have to spend any money, but creating a calm and inviting space will make your house look like a million bucks. A home that appears pretty automatically gains value in the eyes of potential buyers. If you struggle with organization and styling your home, pay a professional home stager or organizer to help you cut the clutter and create a welcoming space that will be attractive to buyers. 

3. Make Easy Choices

While remodeling your home, you will encounter a seemingly endless parade of decisions to make. When in doubt, choose high quality and low maintenance. This means avoiding wall to wall carpeting, ornate and detailed (i.e. dusty) cabinets, countertops that stain easily, and exotic landscaping. Today's homebuyers prefer minimal upkeep. So, go with hardwood flooring and minimalistic styles. 

4. Focus on Energy Savings

Making your home energy efficient will save you money if you stick around. Energy efficiency will also pay off when you sell. Update your windows and bulbs. Hire a professional to come in and inspect your home's ductwork to ensure the indoors stays in and the outdoors stays out. You might also consider investing in a smart energy system for your home, in addition to selecting smart, energy-efficient appliances when upgrading your kitchen. 

5. Choose Clever Curb Appeal

First impressions are important, and a home's first impression is its curb appeal. Make sure the outside of the home is neat, tidy, and attractive. Scrape off flaking paint and add a fresh coat in an attractive color. Pull weeds and repair cracks in the pavement. When selecting vegetation, choose wisely to limit yard work and upkeep. Look for native plant species that will thrive naturally in your yard with minimal care and minimal watering. If you can, do the yard work yourself to minimize costs and maximize return. 

Bonus Tip: Spending More Doesn't Always Generate a Bigger Return

Homeowners often make the mistake of assuming the more money they put into their homes, the more they will get out. Large investments, however, don't always generate big returns. For example, big-ticket items with high-maintenance demands like swimming pools, outdoor water features, or even solar panels can often hurt your home's value. Before installing that backyard waterfall you've had your eye on or another expensive item, check with a local real estate agent or property appraiser to find out whether or not the expense can be considered an investment.  

Topics Covered

  • Home Improvement

Subscribe to our Blog

Get the latest insights sent directly to your inbox.

Related Posts

Jul 18, 2018 3 min
Don't Let Financial Stress Take the (Wedding) Cake
Everyday Finance
Dec 12, 2018 3 min
Mistakes First-Time Homeowners Make
Home Loans
Jan 20, 2021 3 min
Five Hidden Ways to Boost Your Tax Refund
Taxes
Jul 11, 2018 3 min
15 Tricks to Sell Your Home Quickly
Selling Your Home
Oregonians Credit Union

6915 SE Lake Road, Milwaukie, OR 97267 

Call or Text

503-239-5336

Out of Area

800-982-2974

Routing #

323075709

Download our App

  • App Store Download
  • Google Play Store Download
  • Save & Spend
    • Open a New Account
    • Savings
    • Checking
    • Credit
    • Digital Banking
  • Borrow
    • Apply for a Loan
    • Vehicle Loans
    • Home Loans
    • Recreational Loans
    • Personal Loans
    • Business Loans
  • Plan
    • Insurance
    • Protections
    • Financial Planning
  • Learn
    • Informed Blog
    • Fraud Watch
    • It's a Money Thing
    • Calculators
    • Hardship Assistance
  • Business
    • Business Accounts
    • Business Loans
    • Business Resources
  • About
    • Become a Member
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Locations
    • Careers
    • Privacy & Disclosures
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Site Map
    • Digital Banking Login

  • NCUA
  • Equal Housing Opportunity
©2025 Oregonians Credit Union All rights reserved.

You are leaving OregoniansCU.com

By accessing this link, you will be leaving Oregonian Credit Union's website and entering a website hosted by another party. Please be advised that you will no longer be subject to, or under the protection of, the privacy and security policies of Oregonian Credit Union's website. We encourage you to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies of the site you are entering, which may be different than those of Oregonian Credit Union.

 

Subscribe