On the other hand, if you are planning on moving on from your home sooner rather than later, home improvements can make your home more attractive on the market and potentially increase its value.
Home upgrades, big or small, offer two main benefits depending on the housing situation. If you aren’t looking to sell any time soon, then upgrades simply improve the quality of life for everyone living in the home. It allows your home to better fit your lifestyle.
Regardless of your situation, choosing the improvements that do both is the best way to cover your bases. In this blog, we take you through upgrades that give you the most bang for your buck.
1) Kitchen Improvements
An updated, modern kitchen is a great way to increase the value of your home. Updating the style, appliances, and other aspects can make the overall home feel more inviting, modern, and attractive to buyers.
Specific upgrades you can make:
- Energy-efficient appliances
- New sink/faucet
- Replace/reface cabinets
- New flooring
- New paint scheme
Beware: It’s best to keep the improvements modest. Kitchen updates/remodels are very easy to go overboard with, which limits the amount of return you’ll get when it’s time to sell. Of course, if resale value isn’t a priority, then you should absolutely craft the kitchen that you want most.
2) Deck Addition
If you have a sizeable yard, space for a deck, and nice weather during a good chunk of the year, then consider a deck addition. Much like a nice kitchen, a deck can serve as a focal point for family and friends to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.
The price of decks can vary widely depending on the type of deck, home, materials, etc. Keeping the price of your deck under $15,000 if possible is a good way to ensure you can recoup a large amount of it back in resale.
3) Updated Bathroom
Unlike our first two suggestions, an updated bathroom is great for the exact opposite reason. Bathrooms are a haven of solitude, where you can take a nice bath, relax, and enjoy some peace. Like kitchens, bathroom remodels should be modest to maximize the value being put in.
Specific upgrades to consider:
- New counters
- New lighting
- Updated tile flooring
- Modern toilet
Accessibility is also an important factor to consider. It will open up your home to more potential buyers and influence the overall value of the home. Wider doorways, lower light switches, and other changes can make a world of difference for someone who is disabled or wanted improved accessibility.
4) Energy-Efficiency Improvements
Energy-efficiency is a phrase that has become increasingly important in the face of climate change. As such, investing in energy-efficient upgrades will not only help the environment but also increase your resale value.
This can refer to any number of upgrades, like efficient appliances, insulation improvements, and larger windows (for natural light), to name a few.
5) Light Landscaping
The landscape of your home acts as an aesthetic base, supporting the rest of your home and determining the overall atmosphere. Dull or mismanaged landscaping can take away from the beauty of the home itself.
Much like the other suggestions on this list, though, landscaping should not be taken overboard. Luckily, there are ways to make your lawn stand out without breaking the bank.
Landscaping Tips:
- Make a focal point (fountain, boulder, flower garden, etc)
- Install walkways to move across the yard
- Install a variety of plants (color, height, etc.)
- Use solar-powered lights for walkways and driveways
Recent studies estimate that the average homeowner spends anywhere from $3,500 to $5,50o on landscaping. Picking the right landscaper and practicing proper maintenance is key to getting the most from your landscape when selling.
6) Reinvent a Room
Our last tip is one that we’ve touched on in a previous blog, but remodeling a room is a great way to add character and usefulness to any room.
Got a bland room that you have no use for? Make it an entertainment room, game room, or mini-library! A bar is a great idea if you love to have people over, or you could even turn it into a guest room for rent or for family and friends to use.
This can be one of the more expensive decisions you can make, so be sure to research the value of each kind of remodel and how costly it will be for your home.
Looking To Upgrade Your Home? Choose Heartwood Builders!
Have any of our upgrade ideas piqued your interest? At Heartwood Builders, we can help you with any kind of improvements or upgrades you’d like for your home. Being a custom home builder, we help home buyers and homeowners achieve their dreams through clean, sustainable construction.
Simply give us a call to learn more about our services and to get started on your perfect Seattle home!
