Maybe your house is too small.
Maybe you have to relocate due to an exciting new career opportunity.
Maybe you just want something bigger and better. (That is the American Dream, after all)
No matter the reason for selling your home, it helps to know what home improvements add the most value. Some updates are cheap. Others, a bit more expensive. Here are the best updates for selling your house that also increases its value:
Kitchen
Kitchen Cabinets
You could redo your entire kitchen, which can cost as much as $50,000 or you can repaint your kitchen cabinets and spend as little as $6,000, gaining most of your costs back at resale. If you're more of a hands-on homeowner, this could be a fun, painless DIY project. Even if you wanted to rely on a professional, you'd be looking at an average cost of $10,000, which is significantly less expensive than an entire kitchen remodel.
Sink/ Faucet
The sink is one of those things that is easily overlooked when thinking about re-selling a home. The average cost to replace a stainless steel sink goes for $1000 and is one of the cheapest ways to increase home value.
Countertops
Have frequent coffee spills stained themselves on your formerly pristine countertops? A new and improved laminated countertop is very affordable and if done correctly (maybe adding concrete or recycled glass) can give that luxurious, designer look, which can equal big bucks come selling time.
Bathroom
Toilets
If you're the bravest of the brave, installing a new toilet is fairly simple and saves you from having to shell out your hard earned money to a professional plumber.The average porcelain throne costs anywhere between $300 to $700. When toilet shopping, it would be best to find one that does well to conserve water.
Tubs
Most homeowners looking to resell aren't particularly fond of the idea of replacing and/or installing a tub because of how difficult it is to remove the old tub unit. The price to remove the old unit isn't so appealing either, as it can cost anywhere between $300-$600. Still, a tub remodel can add value to your home especially since you can maximize your resale value as much as 78%.
Exterior
Landscaping
You'd be surprised at how many people neglect this fact when looking to upgrade their home for resale but, the front (yes, the front) of your house is the first thing people see so it makes sense to make any improvements―regardless of size.
A good example of this would be the investment of a sturdy, eco-friendly tree. A beautiful, tall tree such as the Colorado Spruce or a live Oak tree could lead to a bigger payout when you sell your home. Why?
Interestingly enough, getting a tree for your home has other benefits including, preventing erosion, reducing carbon emissions and blocks storm water run-offs. Don't think that's a big deal? That's ok. Someone looking to buy your house will appreciate an upgrade like this and pay you accordingly.
Roofing
As you can probably guess, any type of roofing labor can cost a pretty penny. The average cost of installing a new roof ranges between $13,000-$16,000 and could cost more with the use of materials like slate and tin. A typical roofing upgrade not only gives the house a new exterior aesthetic and appeal, but you can estimate to receive as much as a 63% return.
Windows
Unless you plan on selling your home to a vampire, home buyers look to the condition and type of window as a major factor for purchase. It's not hard to see why, since most look for windows that help keep heating costs down in the winter months. The average cost to replace a window for a home can be anywhere between $10,000-$20,000–and that's not including the cost for a particular frame or trim, depending on your choice of window.
Other Upgrades
Basement
When you first bought your house, you probably thought of your basement as an extra storage room or even a dungeon. If you're selling your house, you should definitely consider remodeling your basement. Add some insulation. Add some drywall. Add a bathroom if you have the budget. Whatever you do, just think of it like this: One homeowner's smelly basement is another person's man (or child) cave.
We're not going to lie, upgrading your house for resale isn't the most fun task in the world, but we're sure that after comparing upgrading costs to what you'd actually make in resale you'll make some if not all of these changes. If you're a first time home buyer, we can help you find a home that is perfect for resale, in the event that you decide to do so.
After all, we do help people find their forever homes here at Natale Builders.
