Which home improvements add the most value?

When people choose to remodel their homes, they’re usually thinking first and foremost about their own lifestyles and preferences. There’s nothing wrong with remodeling to make your home more enjoyable for you. However, in a world of financial certainties, it’s important to keep in mind that the home you’re remodeling may not always be yours. Some life circumstance may take you to another part of the country and you may have to sell the home you’ve put so much money into. When this happens, you’ll wish that you thought more about return on investment when you planned your home remodel. Here are some of the best home improvements when it comes to adding to your home’s value.

Modern, functional kitchen

Buyers are swayed by kitchens and bathrooms more than anything else so it makes to spend a good chunk of your remodeling budget there. The kitchen, especially, is important. Kitchens that are very high-end won’t recoup much of the cost but a nice remodel that is focused on making the kitchen more modern and functional is one of the smartest projects you can do. Make sure there’s plenty of storage and that cabinets are easy to reach. Solid countertops made from natural materials like marble can really influence a prospective buyer.

A second (or third) bathroom

You’ll have a tough time selling a home with just one bathroom so turn that underutilized storage area into a second bathroom. If you have two bathrooms you may want to consider adding a third. Believe it or not, adding another bathroom to your home can actually turn a profit. You can recoup as much as 130% of what you spend on the project.

Landscaping

Don’t spend all your money on the home’s interior. If buyers have a bad first impression when they pull up to the curb, a nice interior may not be enough to change their minds. Landscaping doesn’t need to be extravagant. In fact, extravagant landscaping can overwhelm buyers who feel it’s too much to maintain. But a few hundred dollars spent on some simple pruning, planting, and weeding can go a long way in helping you sell your home.

Modernized lighting

Nothing dates a home like outdated light bulbs and light fixtures. Swap out bulbs with bright, energy efficient ones. Fancy features like lights that can be dimmed or lights activated by motion sensor are also a good investment. Don’t stop with the lighting itself. Upgrade the light fixtures throughout your home as well.

All things energy efficient

Home buyers are more environmentally conscious than ever before. The more energy efficient your house the better. You can replace windows and doors with ones that are more energy efficient. You can install solar panels on your roof or choose a cool roof option. New insulation for the attic and new, energy efficient appliances throughout your home are also good ideas.

The small and simple things

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that it’s the big, expensive remodels that will help their home sell but often, these are the ones that don’t recoup much of the cost. Remember that even small, inexpensive projects are worth the time and money if they help sell your home.

Source: ABC News

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