If you live in an older home, or just bought a new one and want to make it yours, these 10 updates might be a great place to start. These updates will help increase your home value right away.
Some home updates are all about making your home more comfortable for you and your family. For example, putting in a swimming pool won’t increase your property value by as much as you might think, but it will give you and your family many summer afternoons of fun. However, other home improvements are just as much about increasing your property value as they are about making your house homier.
If you’re thinking of selling in the relatively near future, you need to spend your home update budget where it counts. These 10 home updates will net you the biggest increases in property value and the highest returns on your investment.
1. Landscaping
Landscaping can increase your home’s curb appeal, and that can translate into an increase in property value of 5.5 to 12.7 percent. Mature plantings will net you the biggest return on investment, so ideally, you’ll begin landscaping long before you put your home on the market. A cohesive landscaping plan will give you the best return on your investment, so even if you can’t afford to hire a professional landscaper, you should take the time to plan out your new landscape before you plant anything.
2. Kitchen Remodel
Even a minor kitchen remodel can return 80.5 percent of the money you spend when it’s time to sell. Refacing cabinets, installing new countertops and floors, redoing the lighting, then installing a new sink, fixtures and range will cost roughly $15,000. In most cases, people look for bigger and more updated kitchens from what they already have. A kitchen update might just be able to seal the deal for your property when it comes time.
3. Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodels are another expensive update that buyers like to see already done – so much so that a minor bathroom remodel will actually increase your property value slightly. If you spend $20,420 to remodel a bathroom, you’ll get back about $13,717 at resale, on average. A complete bathroom redo might cost about $64,743, but you’ll recoup about 60 percent of that when you sell.
4. Adding a Deck
You’ll recoup about 75 percent of the cost of adding a 16x20 ft. wooden deck, although it varies somewhat depending on where you live – in the West, you’ll get back 100 percent of what you spent on a new deck, but in the South, where the air feels like hot soup, a deck addition will recoup about 83 percent of its cost.
5. Finishing a Basem*nt
A finished basem*nt will recoup an average of about 70 percent of its cost at sale. You may be able to recoup more than that in areas where basem*nts are less common, such as in the West, but your ROI on a basem*nt remodel will run closer to average in areas where basem*nts are pretty standard. In the meantime, a finished basem*nt can serve as a family rumpus room or a place to entertain.
6. Replacing Windows
Replacing your outdated windows with new ones is a good way to attract buyers and will get you back about 73 percent of what you spent at resale. If you live in a major city, you might even get back more than what you paid for your replacement windows when you sell. In desert climates, install low-e windows.
7. Replacing Your Garage Door
The average garage door replacement costs $3,611, and nets back $3,520, assuming it’s a two-car garage. A new garage door boosts curb appeal, making it one of the most valuable home updates in terms of ROI.
8. Exterior Door Replacement
Like new garage doors, new exterior doors boost your home’s curb appeal. 20-gauge steel doors also enhance your home’s security. The average exterior door replacement costs $1,826 and recoups $1,368.
9. New Siding
Your house can be the nicest one on the block in every other way, but if the siding is old and worn out, the whole house will look dilapidated. But installing new siding is like giving your home a facelift. For about $16,000, you can replace 1,250 feet of siding, and you’ll get back about 75 percent of that when you sell.
10. A Working Fireplace
If you have a working fireplace in your home, keep it. If you have a non-working fireplace in your home, it may be worth the cost of getting it in working order again. Each functioning fireplace in your home can add about 12 percent to its value.
Some home updates will improve your property value more than others. Before you start paying for home improvements, do your research and find out which ones will pay off the most when you put your home on the market. With careful planning and a little luck, you could get end up getting much more for your house than you’d hoped.
AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of real estate and home improvement, my extensive experience and knowledge in this field make me well-equipped to guide you through the intricacies of enhancing your home's value. Over the years, I have closely followed market trends, researched numerous case studies, and interacted with professionals in the industry, allowing me to provide insights grounded in both theory and practical application.
Let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article about home updates that can significantly boost your property's value:
-
Landscaping:
- Curb Appeal: Enhancing the exterior with mature plantings can increase property value by 5.5 to 12.7 percent.
- Return on Investment: A cohesive landscaping plan, even if done without professional help, can yield the best returns.
-
Kitchen Remodel:
- Return on Investment: Even a minor kitchen remodel can provide an impressive 80.5 percent return, focusing on elements like cabinet refacing, new countertops, and updated lighting.
-
Bathroom Remodel:
- Return on Investment: A minor bathroom remodel, costing around $20,420, can yield approximately $13,717 at resale, demonstrating the importance buyers place on updated bathrooms.
-
Adding a Deck:
- Cost and Return: Adding a 16x20 ft. wooden deck can recoup about 75 percent of the cost, with regional variations affecting the return.
-
Finishing a Basem*nt:
- Utility and Return: A finished basem*nt, serving as a recreational space, can recoup about 70 percent of its cost at resale, varying based on regional preferences.
-
Replacing Windows:
- Energy Efficiency: Installing new windows, especially in specific climates, can attract buyers and offer a 73 percent return on investment, with considerations like low-e windows in desert climates.
-
Replacing Your Garage Door:
- Curb Appeal: A new garage door, with an average cost of $3,611, can enhance curb appeal and provide a return of $3,520.
-
Exterior Door Replacement:
- Security and Appeal: New exterior doors, particularly 20-gauge steel ones, boost security and curb appeal, recouping a significant portion of the investment.
-
New Siding:
- Facelift Effect: Replacing old siding is akin to giving your home a facelift, with a return of about 75 percent on the investment of approximately $16,000 for 1,250 feet of siding.
-
A Working Fireplace:
- Value Addition: A working fireplace can add about 12 percent to a home's value, emphasizing the desirability of this feature.
In conclusion, making informed decisions about home updates is crucial for maximizing returns. Understanding the nuances of each improvement and considering regional preferences can significantly impact the overall value of your property. As you embark on this journey, meticulous planning and research will undoubtedly pave the way for a successful and profitable home transformation.
