Six home improvement projects that will make your home easier to sell

Whether you’re currently trying to get your home on the market or you just know that you don’t plan to live in it forever, it’s a good idea to consider what things prospective buyers will appreciate when you remodel. Many homeowners make the mistake of remodeling solely to their own preferences and have trouble selling the home later on, or at the very least, they’re not able to get much ROI due to the projects they picked. The following projects not only earn a great ROI, they make your home easier to sell because they’re projects that are a big hit with prospective buyers and in most cases, they’re projects that buyers would do anyways once they purchase the home.

Stone countertops

While kitchen remodeling trends come and go, one that has remained constant is the popularity of stone countertops as opposed to tile or laminate. There are various types of stone countertops at varying price points that you can choose from. Marble is the most expensive and generally seen as the most attractive. Granite or quartz are less porous so they don’t stain or etch as easily and they’re also less expensive than marble.

Landscaping

When remodeling to sell or boost ROI, it’s important to do some work that creates curb appeal. If all the work is inside, some would-be buyers will never see it, or if they do, they might already be turned off by the sub-par appearance from the outside. A little landscaping work--planting new trees, flowers, and shrubs, putting in new soil, and keeping the lawn and plants neatly trimmed--goes a long way.

Install solar panels

This project may not be a good idea depending on where you live--the pacific northwest isn’t exactly known for it’s sunshiny days--but if your home is situated somewhere where it gets a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day, then solar panels are a sound investment. Not only will they boost ROI considerably, but you’ll benefit from the practically non-existent energy bills in the meantime.

Finish your basement

Prospective buyers love basements--they can be used to house an entertainment room, guest bedrooms, or even a mother-in-law apartment. But an unfinished basement is often more trouble than the would-be buyer wants to deal with. Thought it may cost a considerable amount of money to finish the basement, it will be worth it since buyers will be willing to pay more for it.

Get hardwood flooring

Hardwood flooring is another one of those things that seems like it will never go out of style. If you can’t afford real hardwood, there are laminate flooring options that simulate the look of real wood very well plus they’re more durable and require less maintenance.

Install baseboard radiator covers

You can cover up old, rusty baseboard radiators for much less than it would cost to tear them out and replace them with a central heating system by simply purchasing snap-on baseboard radiator covers. It will make them look brand new again and it won’t be an eyesore for would-be buyers who come to look at your home.

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