Home Improvements that can Increase the Value of Your Home

Summary

Your home is probably your biggest investment, and you want to be sure that you’ll get the most out of it when it’s time to sell. To make sure that your home gets top dollar, it’s important to make sure it’s up to date and has features that will appeal to potential buyers. In this guide, we’ll look at some smart ways to improve the value of your home.

Table of Contents

HOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

Your home is more than just your nest. It’s also a valuable investment. If you take care of your home through the years, more often than not you’ll be rewarded by a significant return on your investment as your equity in your home increases. That can provide a valuable source of cash or income to you in your golden years.

How much will your home appreciate over time? It’s hard to say. Home values depend on many factors that are out of control of the homeowner, including the national and local economy, the housing market, the number of homes available in the local market, and much more.

But there are some smart things you can do to ensure that your home gets top dollar when it’s time to sell. By using these tips and strategies, you can do a lot to increase your home’s value beyond the increase you’ll see from normal appreciation. Let’s take a look at how you can increase the value of your home.

BREAKING IT DOWN

There are many ways you can increase your home’s value, and we can generally break these down into two separate categories: maintenance and improvements.

Maintenance covers the many things you should be doing regularly to keep your home in tip-top condition. Regular painting, maintenance of appliances and HVAC systems, and keeping up on your landscaping are some examples.

Improvements are a big category. Home improvements can range from small detailed projects like painting a room or replacing old carpet, to major remodeling and renovation projects. Small projects can be a great way to channel your inner DIY spirit, while large projects may require the use of contractors and other professionals. Different home improvement projects can also yield different payoffs in the value they add to your home.
Let’s examine some of the smartest ways to add value to your home.

UPGRADE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM

An investment in your home that will provide an excellent return on investment is an HVAC system upgrade. Not all buyers will notice a new and up-to-date HVAC system, but they’ll certainly notice if the system is old or broken. And if you have an older home without central AC, you can bet that the lack of a central AC system will be a red flag to many prospective buyers.

Here are some factors to consider when thinking about an update or upgrade for your HVAC system:

  • How old is your HVAC system? If your system is more than 10-15 years old, you can tap into the improved efficiency of newer HVAC systems. You’ll save money for heating and cooling, and the new system can be appealing to potential buyers. 
  • Does your system do all you want it to do? We touched upon central air conditioning earlier. If you have an older home that was constructed without central air conditioning, you should probably take the plunge and have it installed. In a hot climate like ours, the lack of central AC could be a non-starter for prospective buyers. You may also consider some other additions to your system like adding a central dehumidifier, that can improve the capabilities of your HVAC system.
  • Consider other alternatives to improve the heating and cooling in your home. A ductless mini-split system is a great way to make areas of your home more comfortable in summer and winter and improve the marketability of your home. Learn more about them here.   

An upgrade to your home’s HVAC system may not pack quite the financial punch of some other improvements, but an outdated or inadequate system is sure to throw up roadblocks to getting the most out of your home. To make sure your home’s HVAC system is doing all it can, schedule a consultation with us. Quotes are always free.

GET YOUR ROOF AND SIDING IN SHAPE

Your roof and siding not only protect your home, but they can also improve the value of your home. While these projects are expensive outlays, a 2019 realtor survey estimates that a new roof and new siding are both appealing to potential buyers and add value to the home’s resale price. Even if your roof is new, it’s important to keep your roof in good shape, so be sure to schedule regular roof inspections, especially before the winter.  

When replacing a roof, consider some of your options:

  • Asphalt shingle roofs are common and easy to install. They offer excellent value and there a variety of colors and styles available.  
  • Metal roofs can add a very distinctive look to your property, and when properly maintained have a very long lifespan.
  • For a distinctive and durable roof, consider a tile roof.

Worn-out siding makes your home susceptible to damage from water, insects, and other pests. Replacing old and worn-out wooden siding with vinyl or fiber-cement siding offers an excellent return on your investment, usually well over 60%. You’ll improve resale value and keep your home safe and snug as well.

ADD SMART TECH TO YOUR HOME

Younger home buyers may take smart home features for granted. And if you haven’t used smart home features before, you may not realize all the advantages they provide. There are a variety of internet-connected smart devices available for your home that may make it more attractive to potential buyers. And most of them are not that expensive to install. Consider adding these smart devices to your home to bump up the value (and make life easier for you!)

  • Smart thermostats. Programmable thermostats are nothing new, but in the past they’ve been complicated and difficult to set up. The new generation of smart thermostats is easy to set up either at the thermostat or with an app and provide exact control of your home’s temperature from wherever you are. Some even automatically monitor activity in the home and tailor energy usage accordingly.
  • Smart smoke detectors not only protect you while you’re in your home, but they can also notify you of issues almost anywhere you go through your smartphone. These devices also can perform functions like air quality monitoring and provide you with an ongoing record of your home’s air quality.
  • If you’ve ever had to fumble for your keys, you’ll appreciate how smart door locks let you unlock your door while you’re still in the car, or from any other location. Combined with tools like video doorbells, they even allow you the option of unlocking your home remotely for deliveries, tradespeople, dog walkers, and many others.
  • With smart lighting fixtures and apps, you can tailor the light in your home to adjust automatically depending on the time of day, whether you’re in the home or many other options. These smart tools can also save you money by automatically regulating your lighting. We’ll talk more about smart lighting and other lighting options later in this article. 
  • Video doorbells and smart cameras can perform functions as disparate as providing home security and letting you check in on the dog while you’re away. A video doorbell and a network of cameras monitoring your home can be a very attractive selling point.

Many of these devices are easy to install and use. But if you need some support installing a smart thermostat, smoke detector, or another device, be sure to check with a qualified electrician or home contractor. 

RENOVATE OR REMODEL YOUR BATHROOMS

Bathroom renovations are some of the most popular home improvements. And these improvements can offer excellent return-on-investment as well. One of the best ROIs is to add another bathroom to your home, particularly if you have an older house. This can be a complicated and expensive task, so it’s best to consider carefully whether this is necessary. Two more practical options are to update existing bathroom fixtures or do a more complete remodeling job. 

Updating your bathroom
There’s a lot you can do to update an older bathroom that won’t involve complete gutting and extensive changes to the plumbing and electrical system. Here are some smart changes you can make, many of which are within the abilities of a competent do-it-yourselfer.

  • Replace your old toilet with a newer water-saving design.
  • Change the plumbing fixtures on your bathroom vanity.
  • Add tile backsplashes.
  • Replace an old “contractor-grade” vanity.
  • Updating and upgrading the lighting.
  • Adding a tile floor.

Doing a complete bathroom makeover
Sometimes you don’t want to nibble around the edges. A complete bathroom makeover that involves tearing out walls, replacing tubs and showers, and adding in major additions like a jacuzzi, can be a big job that will involve hiring a contractor. Some of the big additions you can make could include:

  • Replacing a tub with a walk-in shower.
  • Adding heated floors.
  • Adding a jacuzzi tub.
  • Installing a double-sink vanity.

REPLACE YOUR OLD WINDOWS

New high-quality windows aren’t cheap, but there are several reasons why they’re a smart upgrade. First, if you have an older home, upgraded windows can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home. Bottom line, that means you’ll pay less for heating and cooling. Also, new windows can update the appearance of an older home and make maintenance and cleaning easier.

In addition to the money you may save and these other advantages, new windows are an excellent return on investment and can make a significant difference in the value of your home. The cost of replacing your windows will vary depending on the size of your home and the quality of the windows you choose, but the return on investment is usually quite good.  A recent analysis showed that new window installations using high-quality vinyl replacement windows yielded a return on investment of over 70%. In short, you can expect to earn back much of the price of new windows when it’s time to sell your home. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy the improved aesthetics and energy savings of your investment.

UPGRADING YOUR KITCHEN

One of the biggest changes that occured in home floor plans and construction in recent decades has been the evolution of the kitchen as a center of the home. Gone are galley-style kitchens. In their place are large kitchens with islands and eat-in nooks. Kitchen appliances have taken a step up as well. It’s not uncommon to find professional quality stoves and other appliances in new construction.

To keep up with trends and to add value to your home, kitchen upgrades and renovations are a popular remodeling theme. And, depending upon the scale of the changes, these can really improve the value of your home. The two main approaches are kitchen upgrades and kitchen renovations.

Kitchen upgrades
Kitchen upgrades don’t involve major remodeling work, but rather refinishing and replacing surfaces and replacing appliances. Examples could include:

  • Adding new countertops.
  • Updating the sink.
  • Refinishing kitchen cabinets.
  • Replacing or refinishing flooring.
  • Replacing dated appliances.
  • Adding or replacing lighting fixtures.

Kitchen renovations
A kitchen renovation may involve all of the items mentioned above, but the scale of the work is usually much more extensive and often includes removing walls to create more space and completely gutting the interior to create a kitchen with a more modern aesthetic. 

In general, the more extensive the project, the more likely you’ll see a high ROI. A kitchen upgrade may return about 50% of the money put into the project, while a more extensive renovation can yield up to 70% return-on-investment. 

SET THE MOOD WITH LIGHTING UPGRADES

You’ve got lights all around your home. But take a look at them. How many are old, tired-looking, and inexpensive fixtures that were installed when the home was built? Installing new lighting fixtures in your home is one of the simplest ways to inexpensively add some value and update the look of your home. The variety of fixtures are extensive, and many use or can utilize new energy-efficient LED bulbs, for the added bonus of shaving some money off of your utility bill. 

Another way to upgrade the lighting in your home is to add options and control to your lighting with the use of dimmers and apps. Replacing existing wall switches with dimmer controls lets you tailor the lighting in your home for different times of day and moods. You can take lighting customization another step by adding smart lighting to your home. Smart lighting hubs offer voice control and programmable lighting options that can be easily controlled from a touchscreen or from your phone.

FINISH YOUR BASEMENT

Do you have an unfinished basement? Hands down, turning this unused space into a living area is a great return on your investment. While the amount you’ll get back depends on many factors, such as the quality of the finish work, the amenities that you’ve added, and whether the basement has outdoor access, it’s reasonable to assume a ROI rate of about 70% for a finished basement. 

When you’re planning out your basement project, don’t skimp on adding the amenities that make it a more desirable area. Adding a bathroom is an excellent way to add more value, and provides the option to convert the space into an in-laws apartment as well. You should also consider adding independent heating and cooling to the space. Ductless mini-split systems are an excellent way to provide HVAC to a finished space that’s independent of your home’s main HVAC system. 

A FEW BONUS IDEAS

There you have it — nine winning ways to add value to your home. Of course there are many other ways to improve the value of your home. Here are a few bonus ideas that can add value and make your home a more pleasant place to live in. 

  • Improve your closets. If your closets are a disorganized jumble, take some time to clean them out and add extra shelving and places to hang clothes. You can find plenty of DIY materials at your local home improvement store, or look online for closet-organizing websites. 
  • Get an evaluation of the Insulation in your home. Adding some extra insulation may make your home much more comfortable in the summer and winter, plus save you money. It may be a good selling point as well. 
  • Is your water heater old and on its last legs? Replacing and upgrading your water heater is a smart investment. Learn more about your options with this guide

Need new carpet? Or are your hardwood floors ready to be refinished? Replacing or refinishing worn out flooring can make a big difference in the resale value of your home.

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One comment on “Home Improvements that can Increase the Value of Your Home”

  1. Installing a new bathroom is the most popular home improvement but carrying out a loft conversion has the biggest impact on a property's value.
    Creating an additional room in the loft increases the sale price of the typical home by an average of £11,020.

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