Remodeling Your Home: Best Home Improvements That Add Resale Value. Today’s guest blog is by home stager, Bryce Thompson. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Restoration and Remodeling.
Remodeling Your Home: Best Home Improvements That Add Resale Value
The money you just spent on that new sink and automatic sprinkler system isn’t going down the drain. Think of it as seed money. Most home improvements add resale value to your home, some more than others.
Spending on home improvement projects is expected to rise in 2021. Here’s why: Interest rates remain low, COVID-19 has people spending more time at home, and more homeowners are looking to increase the value of their homes before a sale.
Before you pick up the hammer and nails, here’s some constructive advice: Ask a real estate agent for recent home sale prices in your area. This will help you set a budget so you don’t spend more than you can expect to recoup.
Here are the best home improvements that will add resale value to your home.
Paint
Whether you’re planning on selling or staying in your home for a while, you can’t go wrong with a fresh coat of paint. Start with the front door. A recent Zillow analysis found that a black front door can increase the sale price of a house by as much as $6,000.
Landscaping
The first thing prospective buyers see is your front yard. Curb appeal can be the difference between attracting a bid and losing offers to your competition. A good landscape design can account for 20% of the value of your home.
In Gainesville, the average cost of landscape design and build is just under $4,000 according to LawnStarter. Outdoor projects like building new patios and stone walkways will add thousands more to your expenses but could be worth the investment, adding several thousand more to your sale price.
Flooring
When a prospective buyer walks into your home, the condition of your floor immediately makes an impression. If they don’t like what they see, they will already be calculating the cost and inconvenience of having to upgrade worn carpets or out-of-date tile.
If you can remodel some, but not all your flooring, kitchen and bathrooms are a priority.
Kitchen
Outdated kitchen appliances, countertops, and cabinets can make the entire home feel like a relic. Remodeling this room can also be the most expensive project. Once again, have a clear budget in mind and start with items that will immediately freshen up the look of your kitchen.
Having wooden cabinets painted and new hardware installed will make a great impression. A new kitchen sink and modern faucet is a must. If countertops and backsplash areas are dated and show signs of damage, consider replacing them.
If your appliances are mismatched, malfunctioning, or beat-up looking, replacing them with energy-efficient models will boost the value of your home.
Bathrooms
The rooms that get some of the most use in the house are also often the most in need of an upgrade. Replacing toilets is relatively inexpensive and low-flow models can save you money in the long run.
Hazy glass shower doors, soap scummy tile, grungy grout, and moldy spots should either be power cleaned or replaced. Old sinks, faucets, vanities, cabinetry, and decorative items like mirrors, medicine cabinets, light fixtures, towel bars, and toilet paper holders can all be upgraded to freshen up bathrooms. If wallpaper or paint has been there a while, it’s time for a couple of fresh coats.
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
It may be tempting to try and save money by DIY. That’s just one of the costly mistakes homeowners make while renovating and remodeling. If you’re the type who measures twice, cuts once and curses three times, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. The cost of an emergency room visit and wasted materials adds up.
Remember, the choices you make to add resale value to your home aren’t necessarily the same choices you would make when staying in for years to come. Pet projects like changing the style of your staircase banister or adding closet organizers will not be the kinds of items that pay off in your quest to attract the highest selling price. Save those projects for your next place.
Bryce Thompson is a home stager and freelance writer who specializes in inexpensive ways to improve energy efficiency and curb appeal.