Today more than ever, more people want to know how they can add value to their houses. They know we’re going through a real estate market slump, and they, therefore, have two options. One is on to hang onto their houses until the market improves. The other is to improve their homes and sell the house despite the slump. If you prefer the second option, here are house improvements that will add value to your home.
1. The Kitchen
Families spend more time in the kitchen than anywhere else in the house making the kitchen the most important room. As a result, buyers first look at the kitchen. So, if you’re going to make any home improvements, start here.
And for your effort, the returns on your investment will be anywhere from 60% to twice that much. With that said, a deluxe kitchen never adds value to a house – it only eats into your profits. So, what should you do? Using cheap, eco-friendly paints, and installing modern appliances is often more than enough.
2. The Bathroom
Once you’re done remodeling the kitchen, focus on the bathroom – the most important room after the kitchen. And like with the kitchen, the returns on your investment will also be high – more than 80%, in fact. So where should you start?
If your house has only one bathroom, start by adding another one in a room you don’t often use. However, your choice of room depends on the size of the bathroom you want to install. For instance, a half-bath needs about 20 square feet, and a full bath and shower, about 30 square feet. But remember; install modest accessories, not deluxe ones.
3. Other Rooms
After remodeling the kitchen and bathroom, now focus on the other rooms. But whatever you do, do not try adding more rooms as the costs might quickly spiral out of control. Instead, reinvent the rooms by, say, transforming an attic into a sewing room or child’s bedroom.
Likewise, you can remodel the basement into a family room, a game room, or an apartment. The garage too can get a makeover to become a small apartment or even a workshop. But in each room you reinvent, bring in more light by installing larger but more energy-efficient windows.
4. The Outdoors
Finally, when improving your house, don’t forget to improve the outdoors as well. If possible, add a deck to create an outdoor room, throwing in flower pots, seats, and a trellis. To cut costs, do the work yourself.
Next, improve the front and back yards. This could mean improving your fencing if you feel it’s outdated or needs to be replaced Companies like Northland Fence Minnesota offer many fencing types for all budgets. You could also take the time to prune the trees and prune any unkempt bushes. Doing so opens up views, brings in more light, and reduces mold. Better still, it makes your house more visible and attractive to buyers.
These modifications are all sure-fire ways to improve the look of your house and make it more attractive to prospective buyers. If you are trying to sell your property fast, or simply improve its overall look, make sure you keep these recommendations in mind.