Whether you’re renovating your home in preparation to sell or simply to enjoy a fresh space, it’s important to consider what improvements will deliver the best return on your investment. Here are some of the best renovations you can do in order to boost your home’s value.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is a key room that will sway the decision of many buyers. A kitchen with old and outdated appliances and design will dissuade buyers, as they will likely see it as something they will have to renovate down the line. A good kitchen remodel is almost always a great return on your investment as it can significantly increase the value of your home.
What to Do:
- New Appliances: Depending on the age of your appliances, it may be time to swap in new, energy-efficient models.
- New Countertops: There are a wide range of stylish countertops available on the market, making it easier than ever to enhance your kitchen. Veined countertops that create a marble appearance are especially popular and can be imitated using engineered stone.
- Upgraded Cabinets: If your cabinets are in rough shape, replacing them is never a bad idea. However, if you’re not looking to do a full remodel, resurfacing or painting your existing cabinets is a great way to freshen up your kitchen in a budget-friendly way.
- Backsplash & Lighting: Another cost-effective way to brighten up an old kitchen is to replace the backsplash and swap in some modern fixtures.
The Bathrooms
Much like the kitchen, buyers pay close attention to a home’s bathrooms. A nice bathroom upgrade can improve both your quality of life and your home’s value.
What to Do:
- Updated fixtures: Installing new fixtures is an easy way to spruce up a bathroom, especially if you don’t plan to do a full remodel.
- Replace Tile & Grout: Save yourself from redoing the whole bathroom by just replacing old tiles and grout. Both these fixes can immediately make any bathroom look brighter.
- Full remodel: If you’re looking to completely overhaul your bathroom yourself, then be sure to plan everything before starting. This includes where towel racks will go, where to install outlets, how much storage you want to include, etc.
Basement & Attic
Finishing your basement and/or attic adds more livable space to your home, making them excellent remodeling choices. Basements with separate private entrances also appeal to a wide variety of buyers as living with relatives is becoming increasingly common.
What to Do:
- Flooring & Insulation: Before remodeling your attic or basement, you’ll want to make sure proper insulation and flooring is installed.
- Finish the Basement: A finished basement adds huge value to a home. Finished basements could mean more bedrooms, more family space, a home gym, a studio—essentially more living space all around.
- Finish the Attic: Similar to a basement, a finished attic can mean an added room to your home. Some attics make charming bedrooms or playrooms.
The Front & Backyard
While the interior of the home is where you spend more of your time, the front yard and backyard should not be ignored. The front yard is the first thing people see upon entering your house, and the backyard can serve as a gathering spot for friends and family.
What to Do
- Landscaping: A bare yard can be completely transformed by adding flower beds, trees, shrubbery, gravel, etc.
- Fresh Front Door: Replacing or repainting the front door is a cost-effective way to spruce up the front of any home.
- Backyard Living Space: Create some living space in your backyard in the form of a patio, sitting area, fireplace, etc. Putting down some stone and decorating a specific area can turn the backyard from empty space into living space.
- Power Wash: Power washing is another excellent cost-effective way of “renovating” your home. Rent a power washer from your local home improvement store and blast your home’s siding, driveway, garage door—anything that’s collected dust and dirt over the years.
Smart Technology
Finally, a great way to put your home ahead in the market is to have smart home upgrades. Technology is becoming more and more integrated into our home lives, and many buyers are interested in smart upgrades.
What to Do:
- Smart Thermostat: Installing a smart thermostat can help you control the temperature of your home both when you’re there and when you aren’t. You can often control them from your phone or even using voice activation.
- Smart Security System: Smart cameras that can be activated and controlled remotely are becoming more and more popular. You can keep an eye on that delivery that arrived while you were at work, or if you have pets at home, you can check in on them via your home camera.
