Top Five Interior Improvements to Raise Your Home’s Resale Value

Thinking about making home upgrades? Think style AND smarts! The right home remodeling projects will not only give you a home you love, they’ll also pay off in the long run by increasing your home’s resale value. To figure out which projects would give you the greatest return on your investment. Here are 5 fantastic interior home renovations you can make to create a home you’ll love now and will appreciate if ever you choose to sell!

#1 MINOR KITCHEN REMODEL

Remodeling an outdated kitchen will yield the best return when reselling one's home. Using good-quality finishes in neutral tones is always recommended. There's also no need to overspend on appliances and finishes that will not be appreciated by the new buyer. Forego the $10,000 French range or $20,000 Italian refrigerator when buying appliances. Most important? Make your new kitchen as non-specific in color and style as possible so that it appeals to the widest possible audience of buyers. Kitchens are the most expensive room in the house when renovating but also the most important.

“Small, cosmetic. updates like: new cabinet hardware, updating cabinet fronts and drawers, and adding a new coat of paint can go a long way in boosting your home’s resale value.”

– Adam Taylor

#2 UNIVERSAL BATHROOM DESIGN

Universal design means your bathroom is accessible and safe for everyone regardless of age or physical ability. Slick surfaces, tight spaces and hard materials make the bathroom one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Fortunately, all it takes is a few adjustments to minimize risk and give your bathroom a universal design that will make it safer for your entire family and increase your home’s value.

“A house’s value increases with its accessibility, especially when it comes to a high-traffic area like the family bathroom. If you have the budget, widen your doors, get a toilet that is a little taller, and create a walk-in shower. If not, small details like grab bars and additional lighting help.”

– Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza

#3 MINOR BATROOM REMODEL 

Whereas the universal bathroom design is about functionality, a minor bathroom remodel is about style and appeal. If you have a higher budget, hiring a plumber to help you update your fixtures––the tub, shower, faucets, and sinks––is a good idea. For a little less money, especially if you do it yourself, adding ceramic floor tiles is a project that can add instant character (and value!) to a bathroom.

“Let’s face it. You’re using your bathroom everyday, probably more then once a day and there is nothing more off putting then walking into an old and smelly bathroom. This is the room after all, that we use to make sure we ourselves are clean. Small fixes you can do include reglazing or repainting your bathroom tub depending on the material it’s made out of and regrouting shower or floor tiles that have turned black or dark over time. Also consider painting it white! White is the least offensive color and gives your bathroom a clean streamlined look that is very attractive to buyers.”

– Melissa Leifer

#4 Major Kitchen Remodel

According to the National Association of Home Builders’ 2017 Home Buyer Preferences report, 82% of homebuyers are looking for eat-in kitchens to entertain guests and enjoy family meals. Knocking down walls, moving around appliances, and adding a kitchen island may seem like big investments, but these kitchen remodel ideas will pay off in the end. You’ll have a warmer, more family-friendly space for you, and a better offer for future buyers.

“Major kitchen remodels can be difficult but well worth the investment because kitchens sell homes. Hire a professional to help you create the plans and determine where to save and splurge. I love to add comfortable built-in bench seating with custom cushions and throw pillows that invite people to relax and linger.”

– Lisa Stewart

#5 Living Room Updates

When prepping your home for sale, it is important to realize that many potential buys will have different needs in a living space than you. It's important to create a space that allows potential buyers to visualize putting their own stamp on the space. Ripping up any carpet and laying down floors is extremely helpful- buyers today just aren't looking for that and although a relatively simple process, it can seem daunting to first-time homeowners. If you are looking for something minimal with maximum effect, paint your home white! Everyone's color palette is different, so that red/navy/off-white you love, may shrink a room or create a situation where an offensive color turns a buyer off.

"When you walk into your home, the living room is one of the first places you see. It sets the tone for your whole house. The same is true for potential homebuyers. The living room is the first place they’ll begin to imagine their life there. That’s why a living room update is a good place to consider investing. And it doesn’t take much. A few minor updates can bring a lot of value to your home!"

– Jessica Milton