Top 8 Home Features That Will Increase the Value of Your Property

Jan 29, 2024

Determining which characteristics of a home are worth the money can be challenging, whether you're planning a renovation project or creating a list of "must-have" features while viewing properties. If you do end up selling your house, there's still the matter of the investment you make and the resale value it may yield years later.

Around 79% of homeowners make a home improvement project in preparation for selling. After all, it's critical to achieve a balance between increased convenience and money. Home improvements might be as simple as painting a room at a low cost or as complex as remodeling a kitchen.

What increases property value the most? Home renovations can make certain features of the property more desirable to purchasers and increase its value⁠—some remodeling projects can yield a return of over 90% on the initial expenditure.

If you intend to sell right away, you most certainly won't recover the expense of your remodel. However, these eight home renovation projects have excellent returns on investment (ROI) if you don't intend to sell your house anytime soon or if you can discover a way to cut construction costs.

Kitchen Revamp

Since the kitchen is the real center of the house, remodeling it can significantly raise your home's value. Installing contemporary countertops, perhaps made of granite or quartz, for their durability and design could be one of the major changes. Investing in energy-efficient appliances with a matte finish or stainless steel design for a modern aesthetic is another wise choice.

Your kitchen will look newer if you replace the old cabinets, or at least reface them. Picture additional shelves, appliance garages, and cabinets that may be as large or small as you like. For a startling yet subtle pop of personality, think about including a backsplash.

Instead of implementing modifications piecemeal, strive for a cohesive appearance. Redesigning your kitchen should not only increase the selling value of your house but also make cooking there more pleasurable on a regular basis.

If remodeling your entire kitchen seems like too much work, a small makeover can be done. Consider changing the hardware on your cabinets and harmonizing your appliances. Discuss what makes the most sense and what will fetch the highest price from future buyers with a real estate agent.

Fresh Coat of Paint

If you're on a tight budget, you don't have to repaint your entire house to give it a fresh new look. Repaint the front door and trim, or fix any peeling or chipped paint.

According to a poll by the National Association of Home Builders of the United States (NAHB), buyers choose white or brown for the front door, while designers frequently advise choosing a striking hue against a neutral façade, like powder blue, forest green, or buttery yellow.

It's not the worst idea in the world to re-paint a door or a single room on your own; the cost will be almost half of what hiring a professional will cost. For larger square footage, additional prep work is required, and exterior paints also tend to be more expensive and typically call for separate primers.

To get rid of mold and grime, pressure washing the outside is advised. For a thorough cleaning, pressure or power wash the patio, deck, driveway, and sidewalk.

Improve the bathrooms

Although bathrooms are mostly used for practical purposes, they can nonetheless have a stylish aesthetic. Modernizing your fixtures is a crucial upgrade to take into account. New shower heads, faucets, and lighting by themselves can provide a noticeable impact. Adding a double vanity adds luxury appeal and convenience to a bigger bathroom.

An aging bathroom can be given new life by replacing the floor or just updating the tile. Bold shower wall tiles or distinctive floor patterns can also function as works of art in and of themselves.

Additionally, don't overlook storage options. Organization and a clutter-free atmosphere are encouraged by placing shelving units and making the most of cabinet space.

Not only will these improvements raise the possible resale value of your house, They'll also significantly improve the daily pleasure of using your bathroom.

Open Floor Plan

Adding more space to a home can improve function and boost its value. It can be quite cost-effective to add more usable space to an existing home, particularly in locations with limited property.

Many potential buyers' wish lists might be satisfied by taking out a wall to create a roomy layout. According to the NAHB poll, 79% of buyers prefer an open floor layout between the kitchen and family room, 70% prefer between the family room and dining room, and 85% of buyers want it between the kitchen and dining room.

Although an open plan allows for a lot of natural light, experts advise speaking with an interior designer or contractor first.

Yard Landscape

Although well-manicured lawns and lovely flowerbeds can certainly provide curb appeal, landscaping is more than simply these things. The secret is to maintain order and neatness.

Removing weeds, trimming overgrown plants, and routinely cutting the lawn could make a big difference in how much people think your house is worth.

Next, think about including a few well-placed landscaping elements. An attractive way to frame your property is with a paved sidewalk running up to it. Well-matured trees and other advanced plantings could provide a natural element that consumers find appealing.

Recall that outside areas are simply continuations of inside ones. Maintaining a cohesive aesthetic from the exterior to the interior will produce an organic flow that will appeal to both prospective buyers and you while you live there.

Outdoor Living Areas

Decks, patios, and even a swimming pool are useful additions that raise the value of your home and improve your enjoyment of it. These types of outdoor living spaces are also quite beneficial.

Your home's footprint is essentially expanded when you use your outdoor spaces. Make sure these areas are appropriate for a variety of uses, such as dining or entertaining, while building or renovating them.

Since outdoor places are prone to weather fluctuations, durability is also very important. Make sure to choose high-quality materials, such as stone for patios and pressure-treated wood for decks. Furthermore, when it comes to selling, incorporating elements like built-in benches or an even outdoor kitchen and fireplace might pique potential buyers' attention more.

But keep in mind that your primary objective should be to maximize your current space's enjoyment as well as its future resale potential. The best place to unwind and host guests on sunny summer evenings is an enticing outdoor living space.

New Doors, New Floors

To further enhance curb appeal, consider replacing an outdated front door, and don't forget about the garage door, either. The front of the home is the first thing you, your neighbors, and prospective buyers will see. Meanwhile, garage doors often take up the most space.

To give your floors a new look, refinish hardwood floors or install luxury vinyl planks. The pricing range and present state of your home determine how much upgraded flooring will cost you. Certain buyers and sellers will work out a flooring allowance if the seller is unwilling to bear that expense.

Energy efficiency is the key

A wise strategy to raise your home's worth is to take on projects that reduce your electricity costs. For instance, installing a smart thermostat can increase productivity and reduce costs.

Home technology investments make a great selling point and draw attention to the overall comfort, functionality, energy efficiency, and convenience of the house. They are especially beneficial when linked to the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system.

Installing energy-efficient appliances, new windows, and insulating your house are additional methods to raise its value and efficiency. Although some of these will be more expensive tasks,.

Why wait to begin implementing these advantageous home improvement projects? They will increase your standard of living and the value of your property when the time comes for you to move on.

Start by determining which areas are in need of a makeover. Take the initial step, regardless of whether it's a minor remodel or major home improvements.

Always keep in mind that making sensible home improvements is an investment in both the quality of your current lifestyle and your potential financial gain in the near future. It's time to get moving and begin realizing the potential of your home's value!

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