Some home projects and improvements can't wait - a leaking hot water heater or a water damaged floor need to be replaced right away. Other, planned renovations and upgrades are optional. Consider not only your current needs, but the potential impact of any large planned upgrade on your home's value before you proceed. If you are upgrading your home to sell it soon, the improvements you make should add value to your home and be recouped when you are ready to sell.
4 Home Improvements that Add the Most Value to your Home (and 3 That Don't)
Some upgrades enhance the overall value of your home, while others allow you to improve the look of your home, and recover the majority of your costs when you sell. According to Bankrate.com, the best places to invest your upgrade dollars include:
A new garage door: It may not be fancy or a feature you notice, but replacing a sagging, out of date or ailing garage door with a newer, more secure model is a money savvy upgrade. The average garage upgrade costs about $3,600 -- and adds about $3,500 to the selling price of the home, making this a renovation that (almost) pays for itself.
Kitchen Update: Bringing a dated or worn kitchen up to current day standards -- a makeover that usually costs about $22,000 for the average home -- can improve the selling price of your home by thousands of dollars. The average kitchen update boosts the value of a home by up to $18,000.
Enhance your yard with a deck: According to the Balance, adding a deck in your backyard expands your living space and allows you to add value to your home. The average cost of a wood deck is $10,000 -- and that deck adds an average of $9000 to your home's value, making it easy to add space without a huge investment.
Replace siding: The curb appeal of your home has a significant impact on your ability to sell it and on the price you receive. According to the Balance, replacing aging siding with a similar quality new version allows you to recover about 75% of your investment. It will also make your home more appealing to buyers.
Projects that Don't Add Value to your Home
You should not take on these projects if you truly want to enjoy the results for a while, as they won't have much of an impact on the selling price or value of your home. Some, like swimming pools, can even scare away buyers that would otherwise be interested in your property. According to the Balance, the worst home upgrades include swimming pools of all types, interior painting (because buyers may prefer different colors) and whole roof replacement (except in emergencies).
About the Author
Nancy Roberts
Nancy Roberts Realty was founded to provide integrity and innovation, honesty and good old-fashioned customer service. Our mission is to provide the most professional real estate services available in Western North Carolina (including Burke, Catawba and Caldwell Counties.) With our expertise and dedication, we will guide you through buying or selling.
Nancy Roberts Realty was founded on integrity, innovation and good old fashioned customer service. We treat you the way we like to be treated with honesty and respect.
We are relationship people, your not just a customer to us but a new friend. We are skilled at matching people with properties - we listen carefully to your needs to find you the perfect property.
Our mission is to provide the most professional real estate services available in Western North Carolina (including Alexander, Burke, Catawba and Caldwell Counties.)
With our expertise and dedication, we will guide you through each step of the buying or selling process, including choosing a lender, home inspector and moving company.
Let us help you find your property today!
