14 Remodeling Projects That Increase the Value of Your Home

By
Mortgage and Lending with Benchmark Mortgage NMLS# 247026

14 Remodeling Projects That Increase the Value of Your HomeYour home is likely your largest investment. Beyond repairs and regular maintenance to keep it clean, comfortable, and safe, there are a number of projects that can increase the resale value of your property. These renovations top the list of changes you can make that positively impact your home's value.

Kitchen

With the right strategy, your kitchen remodel could return up to 92.9% of your construction investment. The trick is to not overdo it. You don't need to gut and rebuild the entire room. Instead, make strategic upgrades that increase the comfort and usability of the room.

    • Paint wooden cabinets or install new doors and fixtures.
    • Install track lighting or LED features.
    • Refresh or change countertops.
    • Refurbish flooring and spruce up walls with warm, neutral colors that are easy to clean.

Invest in new appliances right before you put your home on the market to catch the eye of potential buyers and pull them in.

Odd Spaces

Older homes with distinctive architecture stand out from the crowd of cookie-cutter residences. However, these unique buildings often hide a lot of unused space. Make the most of every inch of your home to entice buyers to place a bid.

    • Convert a basement into a bonus room.
    • Turn the space underneath a staircase into a storage closet.
    • Divide oversized dining rooms to create a small home office.

Most buyers aren't looking for a long-term project. Instead of pointing out the potential of your property, make it easy to see by getting creative with odd spaces.

Increase Energy Efficiency

The average monthly utility bill can easily cost a homeowner $200 per month. Help potential buyers lower their monthly costs by installing energy-efficient options throughout the home.

    • Install a solar water heater.
    • Change the windows to more energy-efficient models.
    • Add extra insulation to outer rooms and around doors and windows.
    • Use LED lighting outdoors and throughout the home.

You may be able to get some help paying for your earth-friendly upgrades with state and federal incentives.

Bathrooms

After the kitchen, bathrooms are the most scrutinized feature of homes for sale. Once again, a little goes a long way in these rooms.

    • Update fixtures with shiny metals for a modern look.
    • Change out the toilet seat.
    • Fix up the shower tiles and head.

These projects don't take a lot of time. However, they can offer a big payoff when you decide to sell your home.

If you are looking for a new home or interested in refinancing your current property, contact your trusted home mortgage professional to discuss current financing options.

Comments (8)

Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

Hi Diane,
Great tips.  Upgrades and remodels can be tricky.  The "right strategy" part of your post is key. 

Here is Central Washington State we have very lower (hydroelectric) energy costs so recovery on making our homes more energy efficient takes much more time than most areas.  That's not to say we shouldn't do it because it's the right thing to do but from a purely financial point of view it is a less obvious choice than in many (even most) parts of the country. 

Thanks for the post. 

Mar 25, 2019 11:56 AM
John Pusa
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Crest - Glendale, CA
Your All Time Realtor With Exceptional Service

Diane Beaumont very good remodeling tips to increase a home value.

Mar 25, 2019 01:45 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Diane Beaumont - Keeping a home updated and well=maintained is something every homeowner should strive to do on a continuous basis. I recommend with quality products too.

Mar 25, 2019 03:48 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Nice simple list, and some of these fixes aren't going to break the bank either.

Mar 30, 2019 02:38 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker, Blackstone Realty Group - brokered by eXp Realty - Kalispell, MT
The House Kat

I agree. There are certainly many opportunities to do remodeling work that will help sell a home.

Mar 30, 2019 04:06 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Realtor Top 1%
RE/MAX Gold - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

So many of our buyers in Sacramento do not want to buy any home without an update these days. But your piece illustrates that it does not need to be expensive nor thorough to make an impact.

Mar 30, 2019 11:31 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Diane:

These are useful suggestions for those homeowners who want to make some improvements with out breaking the bank. And as Elizabeth says, many buyers in my area are looking for some upgrades, and not top to bottom fixers! The right improvements will pay off, now for enjoyment and later for a sale.

Jeff

Mar 31, 2019 03:21 PM
Dinah Stallworth-Lewis
Priority Real Estate LLC - 318.332.8281 - Natchitoches, LA
NATCHITOCHES, LA HOMES FOR SALE

Diane,

These are great tips!  And, they are very economical for sellers.

Mar 31, 2019 03:45 PM

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