Top 5 Upgrades That Really Pay Off at Resale

The housing market can be really competitive. Especially during a buyer’s market, you could be up against some stiff competition if you ever plan on selling your home. Even if you aren’t looking to move anytime soon, it’s still wise to keep in mind how any improvements you make on your home could impact its value. There’s no sense in spending massive amounts of money on remodeling jobs that simply won’t pay off at resale.

Any changes that you make to your home today will most likely increase your home value later on, if the job is done right. The type of project that you take on, and the type of finishes you choose, will determine how much bang for your buck you can expect. The following home improvements are those that tend to bring the most recoup of funds at resale time, as long as you’re wise bout how much money you spend, and the types of materials you choose to use.

Bathroom Remodel

It costs about $10,000 to remodel a bathroom (depending on the finishes you select), but you can recoup at least 85% of that at resale. And if you do a lot of the work yourself, you can save yourself a bit of money. Make sure you don’t go too trendy. Instead, go for classic features, such as subway tiles, so they appeal to the masses. And make sure to leave the plumbing to a pro, unless you’re a plumber yourself.

Kitchen Update

The kitchen is the hub of a home. It’s where people tend to congregate and hang out, making it the social center of the house. At least 87% of the cost of kitchen remodel can be recouped come sale time. Buyers are aware that renovating a kitchen can be a huge undertaking, and will appreciate the work done before they buy.

When remodeling your kitchen, make sure to stick with good quality fixtures, such as stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Make sure to stay in line with what your home is like, as well as the neighborhood. There’s no point splurging on high end appliances if the rest of the neighborhood doesn’t call for it. It’ll just be money wasted.

Landscaping

The curb appeal of your home is the first thing people will see when they pull up on your driveway. It makes sense to try to make a good first impression. Spending money on perennials that come back year after year is a wise investment. Surrounding your home with hedges will make a massive difference in the look of your home’s exterior.

Planting bushes and trees will not only enhance the look of your home, but it will also hinder storm-water runoff, filter pollutants in the ground, and lower carbon dioxide emissions. Any properties with beautiful, well-grown trees are an attractive feature to potential home buyers down the road.

Replacing Windows

New windows that are well sealed and energy efficient not only look a lot nicer and cleaner, but they also save energy and money in utilities. Properly sealed windows will prevent any heat loss from the home, eventually saving you money when you get your electricity bill. And if you go for energy-efficient models with a good thermal rating, you can further save on heating and cooling cost. Consider this: home owners who spent $11,400 on ten 3x5’ insulated windows got an 81% rate of return.

Paint Job

Painting offers an instant new look to a home’s interior. Considering how easy, fast and cheap it is to place a new coat of paint on the walls, it just makes sense to do it. In fact, a paint job can bring the highest rate of return among all home improvements. And the best part? You can easily change the color next year if you grow tired of the color you chose today.

About the Author: Fran Tomlin was looking to move from his home, and was looking for a community where he could proudly plant his roots. He discovered Vistancia, a builder of communities offering the best features new home owners could dream of. If you’re looking for a new community to call home, visit http://www.vistancia.com/ for a list of new and upcoming communities today!

Online Article Marketing Specialist.