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While some aspects of an appraisal, such as comparable properties nearby, are out of your control, there are several steps you can take to potentially increase your home's value. Make any necessary repairs and upgrades before the appraiser's visit, as they can only value what is currently part of the home, not its potential. Examples include renovating older areas, updating landscaping to boost curb appeal, and staging your home. You can also provide the appraiser with the cost of recent upgrades, which may increase your home's value by about 50% or more of what you paid for those improvements.

A heated driveway can increase your home's value, particularly in regions that experience heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, making the feature highly desirable to potential buyers. The value added is often greatest if you plan to sell within two to five years of installation, as the technology will be current. If you don't plan to sell for 15 years or more, an aged system may not be a significant selling point. However, even installing the basic components without activating the system can still add value by giving a future buyer the option to complete the installation.

Installing a new home theater or upgrading your current one will likely add value to your home, as many prospective buyers will consider it an exciting bonus feature. However, the value of a home theater is subjective and depends on the buyer, so there’s no guarantee that it’ll increase your home sale value. Keep in mind that home theaters typically have a return on investment rate of about 65%.

Insurance companies weigh the amount of potential liabilities on your property to increase (or decrease) the cost of your home insurance. They will use several factors to decide if there are more chances for peril or injury to take place at your home. These factors include your location (whether you live in an area with high risk for natural disasters), the age and condition of your home, and whether you have any “attractive nuisances”—features that both increase the aesthetic of your home and potential for injury—like a pool or treehouse.