Your home is an investment. Whether you plan to sell it in a few years or live there the rest of your life, you want your home to be as valuable as possible. When you’re planning to do a remodel, consider ways you can raise your home’s value as you do so. Here are some tips to help you decide what to do.
1. Replace Your Roof
Your roof is potentially the most important part of your home. It keeps everything inside secure from the elements. If your roof is old or leaking, you run the risk of mold and water damage inside the house. Replacing your roof is expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment. Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report from 2019 reported that people spend an average of $22,636 on a new midrange-quality asphalt roof. However, the value of the house goes up an average of $15,427, which is 68% of the investment. If it is time to replace your roof, make the investment as soon as you can. Not only will it improve your life in the home, but it will also increase its value.
2. Add More Living Space
The more living space your home has, the more attractive it is to potential future buyers. If you’re remodeling, consider the ways you can add living space inside and outside of your home. This might include things like finishing your attic or basement, adding an in-law apartment, or building a patio outside. 4% of realtors in NAR’s Remodeling Impact Book recommend you add a patio before trying to sell your home. But if you plan to live there, you can get both the joy of having the patio and the increased value for a future sale.
3. Make Energy-Efficient Choices
As you consider your remodel, make sure that the choices you make are more energy-efficient than what you’re replacing. Things like energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, and water-saving fixtures can go a long way toward decreasing your energy bills and helping the environment. Properly maintaining your current HVAC system can also make your home more energy-efficient without spending a lot of money. It also lasts longer. According to Energy.gov, a properly maintained HVAC system will last 10 to 15 years, depending on the manufacturer. Whether you’re replacing your HVAC or keeping it well-maintained, it will improve energy consumption in your home and make it a more appealing option for a future buyer.
4. Replace Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures
If you’re looking for a smaller investment that will still raise your home’s value, consider replacing fixtures in your kitchen and bathroom. Things like drawer handles, faucets, and doorknobs are inexpensive to buy and you can replace them yourself. But it will make the room look much nicer. If you plan to sell your home, these new fixtures will show buyers that this house was well-cared for.
5. Repaint the House
Another simple remodel you can consider is a paint job. If you repaint some of the rooms, you can make them look completely different. Wall color can make a room look larger or smaller. It can also be calming or rejuvenating, making certain colors ideal for certain rooms in your home. A fresh coat of paint will make your home look newer and cover up scratches and nicks that build up over the years.
The same goes for the exterior. A fresh coat of paint can make your house look much more attractive, bringing up your home’s curb appeal. A home remodel is an excellent opportunity to raise the value of your home. Look around and see what could be updated or replaced. When you make your home nicer, you get to enjoy it while also investing in your future.