Home Improvements To Boost House Value
If you are going to sell your house and consider home improvements to boost your house value, this post is for you. There is a great deal of information online about upgrades that can help you increase the house value. Let’s focus on major trends in house renovations that give the maximum return on investments.
Adding physical square footage or converting common-use rooms into open-concept spaces.
According to multiple surveys, home buyers love ample space. Let’s give it to them!
1. Finish basements
Above all, families love to use basements as a second living room, game rooms, and home gyms combined with home theaters. Further, many people also turn this space into a separate suite for an aging relative, young family, or tenant. We offer our expert opinion on Basement Remodeling in a separate post.
2. Open floor plans
Open floor plans can offer multiple benefits to homeowners: an abundance of natural light, the illusion of more space, new opportunities for family entertainment, and flexibility in furniture arrangement. Consequently, old-style separated kitchens, living, dining rooms, and hallways can be easily transformed into open spaces. However, before taking a sledgehammer in your hands, you’d better consult with a contractor and designer. Despite the elusive ease of the procedure, there are a lot of specifics. For instance, you still have to keep load-bearing walls and structural elements and consider plumbing, electrical schemes, as well as definition between spaces. Moreover, before demolition, you need a clear vision of your future space that can be provided by a professional designer.
Improving the quality of life and energy-efficient solutions
Contemporary home-buyers are highly concerned with the quality of life and saving on utility bills. For this reason, modern trends in design are simplicity, functionality, and energy efficiency. We’d like to highlight common home improvements to increase the value of your house.
1. Remodeling the Kitchen
The kitchen is recognized as the heart of the house. Potential home-buyers would hate to see the old-style kitchen that hasn’t seen renovation since the last century. However, keep it simple and never get into high-end or deluxe kitchen upgrades, especially when your goal is to maximize the profit from your house. For example, fresh paint in a neutral palette, or a contemporary backsplash can improve the interior. As for the more extensive upgrade, you may consider cabinets replacement, new flooring, or replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models. Energy Star-rated appliances are better for the environment, and use less energy, therefore, cost-saving alternatives. Potential buyers often look for ways to save money when shopping for a new home. You may consider a consultation with the designer and contractor and drafting a new kitchen layout in case of fundamental kitchen remodeling.
2. Bathroom addition or upgrade
If your home has a bedroom-to-bathroom ratio significantly less than 1, then adding a full bathroom will give an instant increase in house value. For example, there are 3 bedrooms in the house, one full bathroom, and one powder room. If you add one more full bathroom, you’ll boost the value and speed up the sale of the house.
When it comes to finding room in your house for an extra bathroom, take a look at any extra rooms or underutilized spaces. Consider other spaces, such as closets or areas under the stairs, too. For a half-bath or powder room you may need at least 18 square feet, while for a full bath, including a stand-up shower, 30 square feet may be enough. However, if you want a bathtub, make sure you have at least 35 square feet to work with for a bathroom addition. See these bathroom design and remodeling ideas to get you started.
As for the bathroom upgrade, the same advice as with the kitchen applies. Keep it simple! In most cases, a whirlpool bathtub will not give you a return on profit in the case of economic-level housing. When you are limited in space and budget, the perfect solution is to build a walk-in shower in the master bathroom and install a bathtub in kids’ bathroom. Check our portfolio for references and make an appointment for an estimate visit.
3. Adding Energy-Efficient Windows
Nowadays, buyers assume the home to be energy-efficient. Old-style single-pane windows are not trendy, homeowners try to get rid of them the first chance. According to Energy Star data, homeowners can save a good chunk of money on heating and cooling the house yearly, besides claiming the federal tax credit. Moreover, manufacturers and installers offer a lot of rebates for energy-efficient equipment. Check out available offers and rebates in your area by visiting the Energy Star Rebate Finder.
4. Energy-Efficient Insulation
Homes that lack basic insulation cost more to live and maintain. If your home has old entrance doors, and windows that allow inside-outside air circulation, you need to fix this issue before placing your house on the market. Otherwise, home inspectors working with potential buyers include these home improvements in their reports.
To avoid a one-time cost blow to your budget, you can spread these preparations over the months or even the years. For example, adding extra insulation to the attic doesn’t cost much but saves hundreds in heating & cooling costs yearly. Same with entrance doors, you can replace or at least renew weatherstrips and capping before the fall season. Check your house for cracks and leaks to protect your house from heat exchange with the outside environment.
You can often discover leaks, and areas that need more insulation or sealing, in the following areas:
Around doors and windows
Around electrical sockets and light switches
In recessed lighting
Around the attic hatch
In the basement
Anywhere ducts or wires go outside the house
In conclusion, there are more home improvements to boost your house value that will be covered in other posts.
We’ll keep you posted!
