Best Improvements To Increase Your Home's Value

What gives a home it’s value? Is it the materials that make up it’s structure and foundation? Is it the amount of land that it sits on? Or, is it the rate given to it based on what people will pay? Technically speaking, it’s the latter of the three, but still a unique blend. If you’re getting ready to sell and want to make some improvements to get the most out of your house, keep reading to learn how. (Hint: it’s not adding a pool)

1. Kitchen

The most efficient way to raise the current value of your home is to start where everyone gathers; the kitchen. Upgrading appliances will give your home a modern look. I know plenty of people that want to live in their childhood home, but would also enjoy the contemporary comforts of a silent, efficient, and fast dishwasher. I grew up in the 90’s and I can spot those brown kitchen cabinets a mile away. As nostalgic as they feel, a more modernized single color platform will garner you a few more dollars at the closing table. While you’re at it throw up some matching tiles for a seamless back splash behind that new range you just ordered. This will bring the kitchen into the 21^st century.

2. Bathroom

These upgrades that just enhanced your kitchen can also be applied to all the restrooms and washrooms around your house. Maybe it’s time to replace that wobbly toilet with a low-flow state of the art throne. If your sink is built into a cabinet, go ahead and paint that as well, or convert it to a freestanding modern styled one. Any way you go, just make sure they all match. It may seem fun and creative to have different colors in each room of the house, but buyers don’t always share the same artistic gene you do. They prefer to look at your house as their own and a neutral color helps with this.

3. Paint

Paint, paint, and more paint. As I just expressed, the potential buyer is imagining themselves living in your home. As uncomfortable as this seems, it’s a good thing and you want to help them with this. Create a neutral atmosphere starting with the walls and ceilings. Luckily for you this can be broken down into a few weekend projects. This is where a little effort goes a long way. 

4. Curb Appeal

Don’t forget this painting ideology can also be expressed on the exterior of your home. Every house is different and so are the exteriors. Does your house have siding that needs replacement, or bricks long overdue for a bath? Curb appeal is just as important to the buyer. Take care of your lawn, pull those weeds, throw down some grass seed and add some mulch to create boundaries appealing to the eye. Go ahead and hire your teenage neighbor to power wash your driveway. Trust me, it will do wonders for your curb appeal. Check out the photo below of the driveway I power washed for my client. This house sold before I finished the job from someone driving by.

So, what improvements aren't worth the money?

1. Pool

Everything above will help you create more value on the open market, but what is not worth the money? First and foremost; a pool. Pools cost a lot of money as well as time to build, not to mention the amount of upkeep needed to keep it up to standard. Pool pumps go out, concrete cracks, and chlorine is a hassle. Pools can turn into a money pit if not repaired in time or not maintained properly. Home buyers don’t want to inherit problems, so leave the yard un-dug and the pool out of your head.

2. Converted Garage

I know it can be tempting to add another room to your house for whatever your needs may be, but don’t remove a most adored area for that. If you have a garage, leave it alone. You won’t need a 4^th bedroom garage conversion and your buyer won’t either. People want a secure space for their cars, motorcycles or even a workshop. By converting the garage into a room you have taken that possibility away from your buyer and they may not be to happy about it. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to keep my car covered from the imminent spring hail storms, or the pollen that turns my car a dirty orange.

3. Windows

Lastly, over the past decade we have come a long way in the window development. They have gas-filled double pane windows that are near soundproof and help with the retention of heating and cooling, but if you’re looking to recoup these costs from the buyer look else where. As practical as they are to install, buyers just don’t put that high of a value on them. Sure, they save you hundreds in heating and cooling, but people don’t buy houses just because they are energy efficient. Let’s leave it as icing on the cake for the potential buyer.

Buyers in this current market are a different breed than 10 years ago and keep in mind that the market is always in flux. These are only a few items to consider when getting ready to sell. My only recommendation is to talk to a licensed REALTOR® about what your needs are. A good REALTOR® will help guide you through this process and hopefully help you cross over those all too common pitfalls of selling a house. I’ve heard they have some good ones over there at Adapt Realty.

Article by: Phillip Taglieri, REALTOR®

Contact: philliptaglieri@yahoo.com