Home Improvements That Increase Resale Value
“Hard work pays off” can be said about a lot of things in life. It certainly applies when it comes to increasing your home’s resale value. Remodeling can be stressful and sometimes even feel like it is pointless. Rest assured, there is much to be gained from the right home renovations.
In this article, we’ll give you some remodeling project ideas that can increase the resale value of your home. So if you are in the market to sell, grab a pen and a notebook because we have some remodeling projects to plan!
Little Things Turn a House Into a Home
Remember when you bought your first home? You wanted your dream home, not just a house.
Small things, like water stains or dirty grout, can make a house look run-down and undesirable. That’s why you want to make your home as attractive as possible, so there is less for potential buyers to nitpick.
Try some basic maintenance and touch ups, such as keeping up with lawn care and applying a fresh coat of paint. Give it a good deep cleaning, so dust and dirt do not detract from the beauty of your home. The most important thing to keep in mind is to use neutral colors as much as possible. An opportunity to work with a “clean slate” will attract a wide range of home buyers.
Focus on High ROI Home Renovations
Strategic home renovations are a huge investment opportunity. Some improvements can be extremely profitable, especially if you are able to DIY it.
Refinish Cabinets
This is a very simple and quick project that can increase resale value. There are specialized cabinet refinishing kits to help you, too. They have the paint and all the tools you need, so there’s no excuse to not add this to the list.
Build a Deck
Do you know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, that doesn’t apply here. We can probably all agree that having a deck on your home is extremely high on everyone’s list of dream home requirements. Even if you have to hire a local deck builder, installing a deck is a surefire way to recoup about 60% of your investment when you sell your home. You can also make your backyard more attractive with these cheap and easy DIY garden ideas.
If you already have a deck, just give it a good pressure wash before the open house. If you don’t have a pressure washer, see if you can borrow one from a friend or neighbor. Otherwise, you can easily rent a pressure washer from a local rental center or hardware store.
Update Appliances
If you don’t have one already, we strongly suggest getting a dishwasher (a real one, not more kids). By having a dishwasher in your kitchen, your home immediately becomes more valuable to future home buyers.
Of course, you want a home that looks spectacular, but you also want a house that is energy efficient. Efficient appliances consume less energy. Appliances can be pretty costly, we advise to update by the most ‘valuable’ appliance like your refrigerator or the stove. Then, you can gradually update things like washers and dryers.
Add a Bathroom
If you only have one bathroom in your home, a new bathroom addition will most certainly bump up your resale value. Most people can expect to make back up to 80% of their investment once they sell their home. While you are adding a bathroom, think about updating your other bathroom as well. You can repaint the cabinets, upgrade your toilet, showers, and tubs, or add a new tile floor or backsplash.
Install a Built-In Bookcase
We can all agree that you can never have enough shelves. Built-in bookshelves are trending, which makes this an extremely valuable home improvement. These shelves can add sophistication to any room. It feels like your own personal library, like something you’d only see in a mansion or fairytale. If you’re handy and looking to reduce your costs, follow this DIY Built In Bookshelves Tutorial to build your own.
Replace Flooring
We highly suggest upgrading your flooring. You’d be surprised by how much of a difference just changing the floor can do for your home’s resale value. New tile can really brighten up a space especially in rooms without a lot of natural light, such as the bathroom. You may also do well to freshen up any existing tile in your bathroom or kitchen by cleaning and sealing the tile grout. If you’re looking for a cheaper option that still looks great, we suggest neutral colored vinyl plank flooring.
Repair & Finish Trim
Crown molding, chair rail, and wainscoting can make any house look expensive and more luxurious. It’s a small detail that we tend to overlook, but it can do so much for a space. Baseboards are similar in that sense. We suggest upgrading them by either painting them a nice, neutral color or by just replacing them entirely. Any of these projects will increase the resale value of your home without too much effort or cost!
Home Improvement Projects Worth Investing In
Just know, however much effort you put into this home looking stylish, comfortable, efficient, and clean, you’ll be able to get back… and maybe even more! The amount you recoup is ultimately up to you so don’t waste your money and time on projects that aren’t worth the investment. Focus on beneficial projects, like adding a bathroom, upgrading appliances, or even adding a deck. That way, you can feel good about your hard work and sleep well knowing you’re making a better home for the next family that will live there.
