If you're thinking about adding value to your home, and the first thing that comes to your mind is painting and cleaning, you're just scratching the surface.

Although a fresh new paint and deep-cleaned carpets can help add value, there are some more additions that can take your house's value to the next level.

In this article, we're going to dig deeper and give you the non-generic tips to increase your home's value.

1. Upgrade to a smart home

Installing smart home equipment is sure-fire way to add value to your home.

A smart home is equipped with various state-of-the-art electrical and security devices that can be controlled and monitored remotely using a smartphone or a computer.

Here's a list of devices you should consider installing to convert your home into a smart home:

• Smoke detectors

As a home owner, you likely have a smoke detector installed already but new innovations are taking home fire safety to new levels. For example, a smart smoke-detector can send a text on your phone if there's a funny smell in your home - now that's smart.

• Motion sensors

In 2018, the number of burglaries in New Zealand rose to a shocking 48,194. Motion sensors help you keep the uninvited guests out. They can trigger alarms when someone tries to enter through windows or other restricted areas and automatically trigger doorbells when someone approaches the door.

• Thermostat

Nothing says smart like thermostat. This smart device can intelligently adjust the temperature to ensure maximum comfort. You don't have to wait for an hour to enjoy a warm cozy room after you come home after a night out. You can trigger the heater an hour before you arrive using your smartphone.

Financially speaking, a smart home is vastly more impressive than an average home.

2. Renovate your kitchen and bathroom

Renovations are likely essential, especially for old houses. You probably don't see anything wrong with your decade- old toilet seat, but it might turn off potential buyers in the future.

The kitchen and the bathroom are two spots in your home that need to be the cleanest and most well-designed of all.

Here's a checklist of some kitchen and bathroom items that you might want to consider upgrading:

• Shower heads: Your old shower head has probably lost the newness and lustre that it had before. Consider replacing it with a new one. The best part is, these aren't expensive at all - but they look like they are.
• Bathroom heaters: These will come in handy during the chilly Kiwi winter. It's really hard to leave a comfy room and use the bathroom when it's freezing but a bathroom heater removes that hesitation.
• Filter taps: Consider getting a filtered tap in your kitchen. Unlike new shower heads, it's not just about the outer looks here, but it's also about health and peace of mind.
• Floor: For as little as $200, you can get DIY vinyl flooring for your kitchen and bathroom with a huge variety of designs and colours. Of course, you can get premium ones if you spend more. Giving a contemporary look to your kitchen and bathroom will certainly help. 

3. Switch to a 15-year mortgage

Now this one's a bit different from the rest. It requires you to make changes in your home loan rather than your home.

You might have been attracted to the lesser monthly installments that come with a long-term home loan but, soon, you'll realise that you're going to be in debt for the next three decades.

That might not be the best feeling.

"Refinancing into a 15-year loan can be a great way to build equity because a lower rate means that more money is applied to the principal"

-Roslyn Lash, Financial Counselor

Here's the deal, refinancing to a 15-year home loan will save you money because you'll only have to pay the interest for 15 years instead of 30 - and let's not forget the extra savings as a result of a lower interest rate that comes with refinancing.

It's basically making strategic changes in your existing home loan to save thousands of dollars and increase home equity.

Refinance your home loan and become debt-free faster!

Here at New Zealand Home Loans (NZHL), we're committed to making the process as easy as possible for you.

Use our free calculator to calculate how much money you can save now.