The world is full of advice about how to increase your home’s value, and on nine out of ten of those lists, you will see some combination of the words “kitchen,” “bathroom” and “renovation.” Renovating your kitchen or bathroom at this point seems almost obligatory, but it’s worth questioning. A quality kitchen renovation can be costly and it may not payout in the end. Not all contractors are good and kitchens and bathrooms are largely a matter of taste.
Better Floors
Now what this means exactly can be open to interpretation. At the very least, it should mean replacing any worn carpeting and broken tiles. If you’re looking to go the extra mile you can’t go wrong with SOEN hardwood flooring. It’s bound to add value to your home and it’s something that can go straight into the listing and draw potential buyers in.
Energy Efficient Additions
Energy efficient updates pay for themselves and home buyers know that. Windows are an especially attractive addition to make, but you can’t go wrong updating your insulation and some of your larger appliances at the same time. The future of home improvement is energy efficient.
Replace Old Appliances
As a matter of fact, replacing all your old appliances is a great and reliable way to add value to your home. HVAC systems, laundry appliances and large kitchen appliances like the stove, refrigerator and dishwasher are all worth a second look. If they’re near the end of their expected lifespan, consider just paying to have them replaced. It’s one less thing to worry about and it’s one less potential negotiation point for your buyers.
The Roof
The point of making these replacements is to take away the chance for buyers to bargain down the home price, and one of the biggest offenders here is your roof. Replacing a roof is expensive, and if a buyer sees that your roof is old, you’re bound to see them asking about whether they can take the cost of a new roof out of the list price. There’s no need to hand the opposing team ammunition by leaving these relatively simple fixes undone.
All this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t give your kitchens and bathrooms a facelift, especially in an older home, but you may find that you get more bang for your buck elsewhere. Better floors, windows, appliances and roofs are solid investments that will pay off no matter what.