If you’re ready to move, you might think you can simply throw a “for sale” sign up in your front yard and get the asking price you’re looking for. Unless you live in a ridiculously hot market, you’re going to have to put a little work into your house to help it sell. If you do that, you can increase the value of your home and make a little bit of money in the process.
New Windows
One of the biggest ways to increase the value of your home is by replacing windows. Replacing the windows in your home with new ones can make a sure difference in the resale value. Home buyers hear “new windows” and they start thinking of all the money they can save. New windows can also help decrease your energy bills if your old windows were bad and drafty. Plus, you can get up to 80% of your investment back from replacing your windows, according to the National Association of Realtors. Bonus: you can make some really great upcycled window crafts with the old ones!
Energy efficient HVAC
Speaking of energy bills, having an updated HVAC system can be very appealing to buyers. Heating and cooling account for roughly 50% of the energy use in the average home. Typically, heating and cooling units only last a decade or two, and prospective homeowners like to know they don’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon. If your unit isn’t that old, it doesn’t hurt to get it serviced by a professional before you put it on the market to make sure there are no issues with it.
Hardwood floors
Hardwood floors are extremely popular when it comes to homes on the market. No longer are buyers gravitating towards carpets or linoleum floors. By 2019, the global market for wood furniture and floor coverings is expected to reach $695 billion. The main areas of the home, like the kitchen and living rooms, will definitely be more attractive if they have hardwood floors. It seems that buyers are less picky about having carpet in their bedrooms, although most would prefer hardwood there too.
Entertaining space
About half a century ago, houses were built much smaller and more segmented. This means that they are not ideal for throwing parties, at least not up to today’s standards. Buyers are looking for open-concept living and great entertainment features. This is important outside the home too. For example, outdoor kitchens are gaining in popularity. What’s great about outdoor kitchens, in particular, is that you can get 100% to 200% of your investment back when you sell the house.
Modern kitchen
The kitchen is still the heart of the home, and buyers find it really important to have an awesome kitchen. They want good quality countertops, large islands, tons of storage space, stainless steel appliances, and modern finishes. The kitchen is one the rooms in the house where you can get the most for your money and effectively increase the value of your home. In fact, according to HGTV, you can get a 60% to 120% return on your investment when you update your kitchen.
Groomed landscaping
The curb appeal of your home is one of the first things potential buyers are going to see. You don’t want to have overgrown trees, messy bushes, and long grass making our home look unorganized and gross. Plus, when homeowners see nice, groomed landscaping, they know that’s something they aren’t going to have to fix themselves when they move in. According to a survey completed by HomeGain, you can spend $400 to $500 on landscaping and get back four times that amount when you sell.
Updated bathrooms
In addition to the kitchen, homeowners really care about having updated bathrooms. They don’t want to see moldy tubs, old toilets, and stained sinks. Small bathroom updates can make a huge difference. You can spend less than $400 in your bathroom and still make a big impact on the way it looks. Even something as simple as painting can bump the value of your home up 1% to 2% overall.
None of these upgrades are necessary, but they are extremely helpful if you want to increase the value of your home and sell your house for more.