Thinking about a home renovation but not sure where to begin?
With about 6 million homes sold each year in the U.S., some renovations can make you more competitive when it comes time to sell.
It’s important to stay up-to-date on what other homeowners are renovating and what elements home buyers are looking for when they begin their search.
Read on to learn about today’s most popular home renovations and why they can increase the value of your home.
People are pretty intolerant of carpet these days. Not only is it out of style, but it’s also impractical, hard to maintain and needs to be replaced more frequently then hard-surfaced floors.
Carpeting is especially problematic for those with pets or allergies. Buyers will likely want to rip up the carpet if they purchase a new home with it and could even be discouraged from buying your home if you already have it installed.
The first step in this renovation is to see what’s under the carpet if you don’t already know. Many years ago it was popular to cover hardwood floors with carpet so you may be lucky if the original floors are underneath.
If that’s the case, you can consider restoring and refinishing them to look like new. You can also install wood-like porcelain or laminate if the condition of the natural hardwood is beyond repair.
Tile and polished concrete are also good options instead of carpet.
Many potential home-buyers place a lot of value on a proper master bedroom and an en-suite bathroom (a bedroom that leads directly to a bathroom), making this one of the most popular remodels around these days.
This is especially helpful for those with larger families and small children since it creates an entirely separate and kid-free space. It can also add more square footage and value to your home.
A master suite adds a luxurious element. Keep the bathroom sleek and up-to-date. Replace the tiles, sinks, and counter tops and don’t forget about the toilet and hardware.
Your master bedroom should be large as well as functional. Consider the amount of storage space you build. Many buyers are looking for walk-in closets in their master bedrooms.
Many homeowners want new cabinets but can’t afford an entire makeover. If you don’t have the budget to remodel your entire kitchen or bathroom, refacing your cabinets is the next best thing.
These can be a focal point for guests or potential home-buyers and an outdated cabinet can bring down the whole space regardless of the updates around it.
Refacing your existing cabinets prevents a big construction job and saves you money along the way. What you’re essentially doing is replacing the fronts of the cabinets and refacing the frames to match the replacements.
You can also install new, updated hardware to match the renovated look. You aren’t changing the layout of your space but giving the cabinets a facelift can be a game changer, especially if listing your home is a consideration.
But don’t leave this renovation to your kitchen only. You can do the same thing in your bathroom with the cabinets below the sink to accomplish the same kind of fresh look.
The average cost of refacing your cabinets is between $5,000 and $7,000, depending on the kind of material you select and the cost of labor in your area.
This is a moderate investment that can do a lot to upgrade your home. If you plan on living there for a while, why not have the newest and most up-to-date appliances? Not only will it make your space look more modern, but it will also make your life in the kitchen or laundry room easier.
There are so many amazing, high-tech features on the newer appliances these days, you’ll ask how you waited so long to make the switch once you do.
Old appliances can bring down the entire look of the kitchen, even if you’ve upgraded cabinets, counter tops and the sink.
When it comes to selecting new appliances, stainless steel is the way to go. You can get fingerprint-less stainless steel if you’re worried about kids or other family members marking it up constantly.
Stainless steel appliances are the new normal and you’ll get more functionality out of your kitchen and more return on your investment when it comes time to sell.
This is a renovation that’s not always wanted but often needed. Replacing your roof can save you big bucks in the long run if you’re experiencing deterioration or leaks.
This project may be slightly high-cost depending on the type of roof you have and the size of your home, but many homeowners see the longer-term value in an upgrade.
In this market, a problem with your roof will slow down your sale and you’ll likely have to make up the cost to the buyer one way or another. Instead, people are opting to install a new roof altogether to up their equity and keep the rest of the home secure and safe from water damage.
Finished outdoor space can add value and curb appeal to your home. Research shows that the most common outdoor renovations are patios, decks, and pools although pools will bring you the lowest return on your investment because of maintenance and water costs.
An updated deck or patio space can add more to your living space if done right. You can include an outdoor kitchen, barbecue area, outdoor dining, and even a fireplace.
Keep in mind that building a deck will add value to your home but will also increase your property tax payment since it is, in fact, an addition. So be sure to check with the city before starting this project.
With today’s most popular and valuable home renovations listed above, you can pick and choose which ones you want to tackle and where your home needs an update the most.
Not only will all these updates increase the equity in your home when it comes time to sell, but they’ll also make your time in the house more comfortable as well.
We’d love to work with you to you sell your home or purchase your dream one today. Contact us to see how we can help!