Home Improvements That Add Value
When you decide to make a home improvement, whether you are going to move soon or sometime in the future, one thing is for sure. Someday you will sell. That said, it’s always smart to evaluate how much your project will increase the value of your house or not.
Don’t wait, though, until right before it’s time to sell to start your project. Let yourself enjoy it. With real estate expertise, in addition to interior design, I help my clients in Fairfield and Westchester Counties make these decisions. It’s a delicate dance that starts with knowing which renovations add the most value. Here are the top five.
1
Kitchen Redo
Aside from your actual bed, where you spend approximately ⅓ of your life, the kitchen is the most used room in your home. We cook, we eat, we do homework here, watch TV, talk, etc. It’s also the most favored room for socializing. I think we all have experienced how hard it is to get people out of your kitchen when entertaining. It’s no surprise, then, that an updated kitchen has a high return on investment.
2
Full Interior Paint and Updated Lighting
While it is an expense, painting is one where you get a lot of bang for your buck. You’ll get the most mileage out of your paint job if you opt for colors that are current. Living in a clean and aesthetically pleasing home is something that everyone wants, and painting goes a long way to help here. In order for your house to show well compared to other newly built homes, fresh paint is essential. Updated light fixtures are another way to lift the whole vibe of your house and give it a new and inviting look.
3
Bathroom Remodel
Continuing along with the neat and clean theme, nowhere does anyone want this more than in the bathroom. Heavily used, bathrooms get old not only in looks but in functionality. If a new bathroom is something you need or want, go for it. This is one renovation that will definitely upgrade the perception and value of your home, and you will love it.
4
Wood Floor Refinishing
Refinishing hardwood floors is one of the best things you can do when it comes to ROI. The reason is that the worn-out look is the opposite of appealing to you and, of course, to any potential buyer. The best thing to do is maintain your floors on a consistent basis. This will give you joy and will be one thing you don’t need to do when it comes time to sell.
5
Basement Remodel
Taking space in your home that is unusable and turning it into a liveable area is a big bonus. In fact, anything that increases the square footage of your home is a smart investment. While you can’t add your basement square footage to the total count officially, it most definitely makes your home more enjoyable and is a significant feature for you and your future buyer.
Other factors to consider include how long you plan to reside in your home vs. how long a particular home improvement is going to last before needing replacing. This will help you to decide how much money to spend when to undertake the renovation and how neutral or personal you should get. As always, kellydesigns is here to help make sure you are making a smart investment.