There are two advantages to home improvement projects: first, they help to make your house closer to what you want; and second, they often increase the value of your home, therefore increasing your equity and investment. There is a misnomer that you have to spend a lot of money and hire a renovation contractor to improve the overall value of your home. That is not true. People on any budget can make small alterations that can lead to a significantly-increased value.

If you are looking to improve the value, aesthetics, or even the space of your house, these are 15 great fixes that don’t cost a lot but make a whole lot of “cents.”

1. Hire someone to inspect the house

Many homeowners don’t see damage until it is out of control and expensive to fix. Hiring professionals to evaluate things like your roof, insect infestations, or even your electrical system can save you from making more costly repairs. If you catch a problem ahead of time, it doesn’t have time to turn into a pricey disaster.

2. Paint

Nothing adds value to your home more than the aesthetics of the interior. If you have kids or pets, your house can start to look shabby if you don’t paint regularly. Also, painting the exterior and staining any exterior structures like decks is essential to keep them waterproof and safe from the elements.

3. Upgrade your energy efficiency

Do an evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency. If you have outdated systems, they may cost you a lot over the long-term. Replacing energy-sucking systems will not only save you a lot of money monthly, but it will also add value to your home.

4. Keep up with your landscaping

It is amazing how quickly things can get out of control with landscaping. Make sure to keep your outdoor foliage trimmed and well-maintained so that you don’t run the risk of overgrowth or having to replace trees, shrubs, or bushes. That can keep your costs low and increase the curbside appeal of your house.

5. Add a water filtration system

Adding a water filtration system is not only a good thing for your health, but it will also add to your home’s value. It’s a feature that homebuyers absolutely love.

6. Remove outdated textures or fads

If you have popcorn ceilings, old wallpaper, or textured walls, remove them yourself. It will not only bring your home into the twenty-first century; updating out-of-style trends will add value to your house.

7. Revamp old bathrooms

Re-grouting an old bathroom will help you to keep moisture from getting behind the wall; the dampness could lead to a mold problem. Updating things like the grout will also increase the appeal of your bathroom. You can do it yourself with very little effort, and it makes a huge difference.

8. Change out fixtures

If you want to update the appeal of your home while increasing its value, change out old fixtures. Update your bathroom with new faucets and your ceiling with new lights for a dramatic change.

9. Add organizers

There is nothing that a homebuyer appreciates more than built-in shelves and closet organizers. A great way to make your space look more expensive, adding built-ins will increase the value of your house. The best part is you can do it all on your own.

10. Maintain your systems

Make sure that your systems and appliances all have the proper yearly maintenance to extend their lifespans. Taking good care of them can help you to hold off on repairs and replacements.

11. Change your water heater

If you still have a tank water heater, upgrade it to a tankless system. Tankless water heaters use a lot less energy and are very attractive to homebuyers who don’t like older tanks.

12. Add window coverings

Even if you live in a secluded place and never felt the need to cover the windows, curtains or blinds can dramatically increase the value of your home. Helping with both aesthetics and energy efficiency, they are an awesome addition.

13. Clean your ductwork

Cleaning out your ductwork will not only help to reduce allergens and improve your health, but it will also keep your furnace running more efficiently and cut your energy costs. Having clean ducts will definitely impress potential homebuyers.

14. Change out hardware

If you have dated hardware, change it out for new. It is amazing how much some new drawer pulls can spruce up a kitchen or a bathroom. Completely transforming the space, it costs very little to make a big difference.

15. Create outdoor spaces

If you have limited space inside, extend the space to the outdoors. Creating outdoor niche rooms is an excellent way to enhance the value of your home. Take a weekend and make some pathways around the house or build a brick patio for extra seating.

Making big-value changes don’t have to cost a lot of money. If you are willing to do the sweat equity, then you can build some real monetary equity in your home.