Best Home Improvements to Increase Home Value

I am sure you would agree with me when I say, not all home improvements will increase your home’s value here in the Merrimack Valley. Some may even serve to decrease your home’s value.

Whether you’re thinking of selling your home, or you just want to make your home more attractive to build equity, it’s important to know which improvements will help you increase your home’s value.

Best Home Improvements for Increased Value

1. Major Component Home Improvements

If some of your home’s components are out-of-date, potential buyers may be concerned about being hit with a big repair expense shortly after purchasing. Consider updating major components like your water heater, furnace, air conditioning, or roof. Take a walk around your house to assess other factors like windows and siding. Are they in good shape or could they stand to be replaced as well?

What about the living areas of your home? Are the carpets a neutral color and in good shape or are they stained and out dated? Do your hardwood floors need to be professionally buffed and polished? Are your tile floors in good shape?

When in doubt give us a call here at Connie Doto Realty Group and we can help you get your home ready for sale by doing this walk around with you and helping you determine where your money should be spent on improving your property.

2. Increase Value By Choosing Smart Cosmetic Upgrades

This is especially important if you’re considering selling your home. Potential buyers want to move right in without having to make upgrades or put a lot of work into their new residence. There are three areas that potential buyers seriously look at:

• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Landscaping

The remodel doesn’t have to be extreme and costly, a minor kitchen remodel can recoup as much as 80% of its cost in added value. A simple bathroom remodel can bring in as much as 70% return on the investment.

Consider updating appliances, cabinets, and countertops in your kitchen. If your bathrooms are out dated and worn, replace vanities, flooring, and fixtures.

Give your home curb appeal so that it makes a good impression. Plant flowers and shrubs along the front of the house or around the front door. Clean up your front walkway and repaint your front porch and mailbox.

And speaking of painting, if you’re putting your home on the market, consider a fresh, neutral coat of paint throughout the house to make everything look bigger and brighter.

3. Home Improvements That Increase Useable Square Footage

Adding an extra bedroom, finishing off a basement, turning unused attic space into an office or master suite, and adding outdoor living space like a deck or porch will boost your home’s value. You can also consider adding a garage, possibly with a bonus room above for an office or guest room.

Anything you can do to add extra living space to your home will increase the value of your home to potential buyers. If you can’t add on an entire room, consider expanding. Make your master bedroom a little bigger to include a sitting area, luxurious bath, or big walk-in closet.

4. Improve Your Home’s Efficiency

Energy conservation features are not only a big draw to potential buyers, they’ll save you hundreds of dollars if you’re considering staying in your home. Make some energy efficient upgrades like double-paned windows, LED lighting, added attic insulation, and efficient appliances.

All of these upgrades can lower your utility bills and boost your home’s value quickly. You can work with a certified energy auditor or your local utility company to determine where your home is wasting energy, allowing you to know which improvements will be the best use of your money.

5. Go High Tech

Smart technology is here to stay. Installing smart technology features to make your home safer and reduce energy usage. Devices like security cameras, thermostats, fire and carbon monoxide detectors, and even smart door locks can make your home more desirable. They may not increase your home’s value in an appraisal, but buyer’s will find them attractive upgrades that they’re willing to pay for.

Best of all, most of these devices can be self-installed for a few hundred dollars, making it one of the least expensive improvements you can make.

Before sinking thousands of dollars into a home improvement project, consider your home’s age and the neighborhood you live in. Will your money be spent wisely? Will you be able to recoup your expense when you sell your home?

If you’re not sure, give us a call at 978-683-0004 or contact us via our contact form to speak with one of our licensed real estate agents.  We can help you determine if the project you’re considering is worth the time and resources.