Whether you’re planning to sell your property any time soon or simply want to give your home a personal touch, home renovations are always an exciting endeavor for homeowners. You can reimagine your living spaces and alter the existing designs to meet your needs. More so, home upgrades allow you to step into the race of adopting modern architecture and the latest design trends to attract potential buyers.
However, knowing which home upgrades increase your property’s value can make these efforts more beneficial. So before you pull up your sleeves for a DIY home renovation or decide on a home remodeling project, weigh the pros and cons of each and choose a project that yields the highest return on your investment. To simplify it, we’ve compiled a list of home upgrades worthy of your time, effort, and investment. Let’s get started!
Table of contents
1. Give Your Kitchen a New Look
The kitchen is the heart of a home and has the potential to sell a home faster. According to the latest statistics, over 45% of homebuyers prefer an updated kitchen. On top of that, kitchen renovations have the highest return on investment of over 89%. So, if you’re planning a home upgrade, renovating your kitchen should be at the top of your list.
However, kitchen remodeling may require temporary relocation until it’s ready to use again. Before your kitchen renovation, look for temporary accommodation and search for movers near me on your preferred search engine. Movers will help you move some of the important items and belongings to the temporary location till your kitchen is upgraded. Moreover, your mover will assist you in moving out of your house with the necessary items and provide temporary storage to protect your valuables for as long as you need.
Choose an accommodation in a closer vicinity so that it’s easier for you to oversee home renovation work.
Map out your kitchen remodeling project meticulously to avoid overspending, especially if you plan to sell your home. If you have a good budget, you can opt for an open kitchen with a multi-purpose kitchen island. This upgrade will help you attract more potential buyers, add a luxurious touch to your home, and make it appear larger, cleaner, and more organized. Additionally, consider updating any worn-out appliances and changing the main elements of the kitchen, such as cabinetries, countertops, and flooring. Incorporate smart storage solutions to utilize each inch of your kitchen space efficiently. Use modern or trendy kitchen fixtures and hardware to amp up the game further.
2. Upgrade Your Lackluster Bathroom
A bathroom remodel increases a home’s net worth by nearly 20%. The latest statistics on real estate trends reveal that 54% of buyers prefer homes with an upgraded main-floor bathroom. While a staggering 80% of buyers wish for a full bath with modern fixtures in their main living area. Some prospective buyers may even prefer to see the bathroom first before exploring the rest of the property.
When planning upgrades for your bathroom, consider its space and which areas need urgent restoration. Invest in new flooring and wall tiles only if there’s a pressing need. But if you have an adequate budget, you can go all-out with a major upgrade – from changing vanities and countertops to replacing showers, bathtubs, and toilets. A new bathtub or shower area can breathe new life into your bathroom, infusing it with a modern touch and reviving the entire space.
Updating bathroom hardware like faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures to more modern and stylish options can enhance the bathroom’s overall appeal and functionality.
Install high-quality lighting fixtures and apply a fresh coat of paint to improve the ambiance and make the space more inviting.
Last, invest in smart storage solutions to keep your self-grooming items and toiletries well organized and your countertops sparkling clean.
2. Fix Minor Defects and Let Simplicity Do the Magic!
Could it be? Yes, a home upgrade as simple as fixing minor defects can add more value to your home. Wondering how it works? Potential homebuyers typically look for homes that require minimal upgrades. Even seemingly minor issues like chipped paint, dirty walls or chimneys, dull wooden floors, water accumulation, and limescale buildup in the kitchen and bathroom can give an impression that the house has not been looked after properly. Consequently, even these minor issues can compel potential buyers to reconsider or negotiate for a lower price.
On the contrary, if your home has no superficial defects, it becomes more presentable and attractive to potential buyers. Make the following simple or minor fixes before putting your home up for sale:
- Repair any areas with peeled or chipped paint.
- Apply a fresh coat of paint for a cleaner appearance.
- Refinish wooden floors, doors, cabinets, and decks.
- Replace or repair cracked or broken tiles, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and entryway.
- Take a round and check all the faucets. If there are dripping or leaking taps, replace or repair them to prevent water wastage and accumulation.
- Clean or touch up stained walls to create a fresher appearance.
- Address issues like flickering or fused lights, malfunctioning switches, hanging wires, or loose outlets.
- Lubricate hinges and fix creaking sounds coming from doors and cabinets.
- Unclog drainage pipes, sinks, and gutters and fix plumbing issues like running toilets and leaks.
- Use high-quality bathroom and kitchen cleaning products to remove limescale buildup from toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, bathroom tiles, and around fixtures. However, remember not to use harsh chemicals, especially on metal fixtures and grout.
- Hire a chimney sweep for a chimney inspection and cleaning.
- Deep clean the entire house inside out for a sparkling clean look.
3. Invest in Energy-Efficient Home Improvements
Considering the ever-increasing inflation rates, homeowners actively seek ways to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency. Energy-efficient home improvements top the wishlist of many potential buyers; thus, it’s an upgrade worth investing in.
Energy-efficient home improvements can range from minor to major upgrades. If you’re on a budget, consider home improvements like installing new insulations, drought-proofing your home, and updating light fixtures.
Some major upgrades you can consider are changing home appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, air conditioners, and solar energy generation units. Double glazing your windows, adding external or internal wall insulation, and installing uPVC window frames are other ways of making your home energy efficient. These solutions reduce your energy bills and add more value to your home. However, before you choose any major upgrades, consider your overall budget and return on investment for each upgrade individually.
Wrapping Up
The home modifications and renovations listed above are effective strategies to increase the overall value of your home. These will help make your home stand out in the real estate market listing. Your anticipated budget greatly influences the scale and type of home improvements you choose, the purpose of the renovation, and how long you wish to stay in your home.
If you’re contemplating a major home renovation, plan a local residential move ahead of time and rent a storage space to keep your belongings safe from damage during the renovation process. Lastly, don’t forget to get appropriate permits before starting the project.