Which home improvements increase your resale value?
Let’s face it. Every time we buy a home, we always hope that its value will increase at the point when we want to resell it. It’s a simple fact, the more your home is worth at the time you sell it, the more money you’ll walk away with.
Yet here’s the thing.
Which home improvements actually increase your home’s resale value?
Most homeowners waste money on expensive home improvements that do little to increase the value of their property. Some upgrades have a far better return on investment than others.
Here are proven tactics for increasing your home’s resale value. These are the exact steps that can help you sell your house in Record Time.
Ready to get started? Let’s begin.
Key takeaways:
- Why Minor Improvements Beat Major Renovations
- Kitchen & Bathroom Value Formula
- Curb Appeal Tactics That Actually Work
- When to Call in the Professionals
Why Smart Improvements Matter More Than Ever
Home prices have been on a rollercoaster the last few years. According to national housing data, the median home price has climbed to $435,495, an increase of 1.8% over last year. That means sellers have an opportunity to cash in – but only if they position their homes correctly.
Here’s the thing…
The market is changing. Inventory is starting to increase, and buyers are becoming pickier. As a result, your home needs to look and feel better than the other homes on the market if you want to get the best price.
Buying real estate blindly without learning more from a local realtor first is foolish and a recipe for failure.
So is spending thousands on random improvements.
You need a strategy that will yield results in this market.
Fortunately, if you are looking to sell fast or know of someone that wants to sell fast, there are services that can help owners who need cash and will save you time and stress from trying to sell on your own.
However, if you have the time, here are some strategies to help maximize the return of your home.
The Kitchen Update Formula
Here’s something you may or may not know.
Kitchen updates are where you see some of the best returns for home improvement.
A minor kitchen remodel will give you a 113% ROI. That’s right, it’s a cost that you can eat, yet you end up gaining more in the return than you lose in expenses. Crazy, right?
What a minor remodel means is…
- Cabinet refacing or repainting instead of replacement.
- Installing new countertops with a modern style.
- Replacing outdated fixtures and hardware.
- Purchasing new appliances that look updated.
- Adding improved lighting.
The important part of this formula is that it improves the look of your kitchen without touching the footprint. You are not moving plumbing or opening up walls, just improving the look.
Consider where buyers spend most of their time when they tour a home, the kitchen. An outdated kitchen is one of the deal killers. An updated kitchen is what seals the deal.
Bathroom Remodels That Actually Pay Off
Bathrooms are up there with the kitchen in importance for home value.
A midrange bathroom remodel will return about 74% of its cost at resale. That is a good return for a remodel in a room that can make or break a buyer’s decision.
What most sellers do wrong is either spend too much on luxury bathroom remodels or do nothing at all. The truth is, the winning move is to focus on these high-impact bathroom updates:
- Replace outdated vanities with modern ones.
- Install new fixtures like faucets and showerheads.
- Add improved lighting to brighten up the room.
- Replace old flooring with new waterproof tile or vinyl.
- If possible, add a frameless glass shower door.
One of the biggest trends right now is tub to walk-in showers. Buyers love the modern look and convenience. You do not need heated floors and rainfall showerheads, but you do need clean, functional updates that look modern.
Curb Appeal: Your Home’s First Impression
This one is the most underrated value booster.
Curb appeal improvements create massive returns for relatively little investment. Buyers have decided whether or not they like your home in the first 10 seconds of arriving on the property.
Here’s some proof.
Replacing your garage door returns a 268% ROI. That is one of the highest returns on a home improvement project that exists. A new steel entry door is right behind at 188% ROI.
These two exterior upgrades cost you a few thousand but add ten times their value to a buyer’s perception. Fresh paint is another inexpensive project with a high return.
Other curb appeal tactics that work:
- Clean or replace your roof if it looks worn down.
- Add new or refresh landscaping with low maintenance plants.
- Power wash siding, walkways, and driveways.
- Update your outdoor lighting to improve nighttime curb appeal.
- Paint or stain your front door a bold color.
Pay attention to lighting, both inside and outside your home. Good lighting makes a home look safer, more inviting, and better maintained.
The Deep Clean Secret
Want to know something that costs you almost nothing but nets you huge returns?
A professional deep clean nets a 3,650% ROI. For just a few hundred dollars, you can give your home the illusion of being brand new to buyers.
This is not your typical weekend cleaning routine. Professional cleaners go into every nook and cranny, scrub grout, polish fixtures, and make everything shine. They take care of that invisible grime and dirt that we don’t notice but builds up over the years.
Buyers will immediately notice how clean a home is. A dirty home makes them wonder what else is neglected. A spotless home gives them the impression that the entire property is well-maintained.
Combine a professional deep clean with decluttering and minor repairs, and you will have created a home that looks move-in-ready and buyers will start bidding against each other.
What NOT To Do
Here is something that will save you from spending money on the wrong things.
Not all home improvements are equal. Some improvements actually decrease your resale value. These are the improvements you want to avoid:
Swimming pools. Swimming pools require ongoing maintenance and restrict your buyer pool. Most young families with children view them as safety hazards and actively avoid them.
Luxury upgrades. Ultra-high-end finishes and upgrades rarely recoup their cost. Buyers at the lower end of the market will not pay extra for them, and luxury buyers will expect them as standard.
Over-personalization. That funky wallpaper or bright orange paint may match your style, but it will turn off buyers. Neutral is the way to go.
Half-finished projects. It’s never a good idea to start renovations you cannot finish before listing. Buyers will heavily discount offers for properties that need work.
The key to home improvement for resale is knowing your market and understanding buyer expectations. Don’t try to compete with the high-end market by over-improving a property. Upgrade to match your home’s value.
When To Sell As-Is
Here’s a secret. Sometimes the smartest strategy is not making any improvements.
If you are in a financial bind, inherited a property, or need to relocate quickly, renovating to add value is not the right move for you. Instead, list to a cash buyer as-is and get rid of it quickly.
Skip all the hassle and stress and sell your house as-is to a direct buyer today.
Summing Things Up
Rising home prices don’t mean that any home improvement will increase your home’s resale value. In fact, most don’t. But if you use proven strategies, you can increase your home’s appeal to buyers and attract more buyers with better offers.
Focus on:
- Minor kitchen updates for maximum visual impact.
- Midrange bathroom renovations that look fresh.
- Curb appeal home improvements to wow buyers first.
- Professional deep cleaning for move-in-ready appeal.
Avoid the pool, do not over-personalize, and do not over-improve. Match your home improvement to your home’s price and your buyer’s expectations.
And sometimes, the best move is to sell fast and without making improvements. If you or someone you know is in this position, feel free to contact us today.
