You may be looking around your home and making a list of the items that you want to change and upgrade in your home. What may be helpful to you when making these decisions is knowing the best home upgrades to add value. There may be different reasons why you take on home upgrades. One of the reasons to consider upgrades could be to improve the value of your home. If that is the case for you, you may want to take on the projects that will give you the most return on the investment you make. Some of the top upgrades to receive a return are here for your consideration.
Add Solar Panels
Many homeowners may not immediately think about solar panel installation as one of the best home upgrades to add value, but they are. It is one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient. Not only can you see a return on your investment based on the installation of solar panels, but they also pay for themselves. Solar panels are able to save money on how much you spend on your energy bills. In some cases, you may be able to get rebates from your energy provider if they are able to tap into your solar panels.
In addition to those savings, you may be able to find savings in other ways with solar panels. You are reducing your impact on the environment when you install solar panels on your house. You may also be able to receive green energy tax from the federal and state government for adding solar panels.
Add a Pool
If you have been considering a pool for a while but can’t get past the cost, now may be the time to call your local pool contractor. While many people want a pool in their backyard, they are often hesitant due to the high cost and perceived low return on investment. However, recently, adding a pool has become one of the best home upgrades to add value. It is true that in some areas, everyone seems to have a pool, but in others, it is a novelty. There was a time when having a pool in an area where it was the exception made it difficult to sell your house.
There are additional costs associated with pools, and many people do not want the hassle. It is estimated that having a pool in your backyard may be able to increase the selling price by close to $30,000. The typical cost of installing a pool is much higher than that. If you have always wanted one, that may be enough of an incentive to convince you to install a pool.
Upgrade Your Tile Floors
One of the first things you notice when you enter a room is the flooring. It can completely change the look of a room and quickly make it look outdated. When you are looking for one of the best home upgrades to add value, do not forget your flooring. When thinking about your floor, most types of floors will have a return on investment as long as it is not carpet. Most people expect carpeting in a home. Those that have it will not see an increase in the value of their home. If the carpet is old, stained, and torn, that could decrease its value. However, having new carpeting may not add much, but potential buyers do like to see consistency throughout the home.
If you already have flooring that is not carpeting, such as tile, it may still be time for an upgrade. You can consider adding porcelain tile to the entryway of your home. It is important to keep in mind that if you are going to upgrade to tile, you want to ensure that it is installed correctly. You also want the items in the room to be updated to match the flooring.
Upgrade Your Blinds
Not every home upgrade needs to be complicated or cost-prohibitive. One of the best home upgrades to add value is to upgrade your blinds. This is not always an area that homeowners immediately think of when it comes to increasing home value. However, when you select functional and quality blinds or shutters, you can increase the value of your home. Many potential homebuyers find these items desirable and make them more valuable. It is critical that the window treatments you select match the existing decor of the house or are a neutral and classic style that can match a potential buyer’s style. Before you contact a blind company, you may want to consider an upgrade to motorized shades or blinds.
It is easy to say that quality blinds and window treatments add value to your home, but it isn’t always easy to define how much value. It is unlikely that an appraiser is going to put upgraded blinds as a line item when assessing the value of your home. They will add it in with high-quality and desirable features of the home. When you have quality window coverings, potential buyers are willing to pay more for the home. In addition, they help the home show better because they add a touch of class.
Upgrade Your Deck
When determining which are the best home upgrades to add value, if you do not already have a deck, you should consider one. A deck is an ideal way to add value to your home. Not only are potential buyers willing to pay more for a house with a deck, but they are more appealing. You will have more traffic coming through your house when it’s on the market. Homeowners get close to a 100% return on their investment with just a small pressure-treated wood deck.
If you already have a deck, you should consider making some upgrades to it, such as under deck waterproofing. You want to ensure that you inspect the deck and look for any areas that aren’t secure or need repairs. If there are loose boards or screws, you should replace them. If there are damaged areas on your deck, you should have a professional repair it. You also want to clean the deck by hosing off all of the dirt and debris sitting on it. Then you should scrub it with a gentle cleaner and scrub brush. Consider adding some decorative planters to give your deck an inviting feel to it.
Add Custom Closet Space
Are you frustrated by the lack of closets in your home? If you are, another homeowner would be, too. This is why custom designed closets are on the list of the best home upgrades to add value. Installing a custom closet may be seen as a renovation to your home. You can take an empty spot in your house and give it the feel of an extra bedroom. This also increases the space giving your house a more luxurious feel. When you are selling your home, you are able to add the cost of the additional closet space to the selling price of the home. Additional closet space is always more appealing to potential buyers.
It is widely known that the more bedrooms a home has made more appealing it is to potential buyers. It can also sell for a higher price. The same is true for a custom closet. It also gives potential buyers the ability to do something else with the space if they want. They can turn it into a bedroom or have additional space for guests.
Upgrade Your Kitchen Counters
When homeowners are thinking about the best home upgrades to add value, the two spaces that immediately come to mind are the kitchen and the bathroom. You will see an incredibly high return on your investment when your upgrade your kitchen. There are many ways you can go about a kitchen upgrade. It doesn’t have to be a major full-scale kitchen remodel. It can be, but it does not have to be. You can keep it small by making small changes throughout the kitchen that will make a significant impact.
You can do a kitchen countertop install by upgrading them to stone or glass. You can reface your kitchen cabinets and drawers. You can even put in new appliances to make a large difference in the kitchen. Another great upgrade for the kitchen is to replace the flooring. While hardwood floors are the most appealing, you can choose a resilient type of flooring. Another great upgrade to make in your kitchen is to add recessed lighting if they aren’t already there. These small touches will make a large impact on the look of your kitchen.
Add a Finished Basement
You probably aren’t surprised to see that finishing your basement is another one of the best home upgrades to add value. Your budget makes a large difference in how you decide to finish your basement. You can expect a basement to cost close to $50,000. You can add a bathroom, laminate flooring, recessed lighting, and a nice open space to hang out. Before you contact a basement remodeler, you should consider what you want to have some ideas already. When you finish your basement, it not only increases the value of your home but adds more liveable space. Even the most basic finished basement is more appealing to potential homebuyers than a home without it finished.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
Some homeowners tend to overlook their outdoor space, but they shouldn’t. Updating the outside is one of the easiest and best home upgrades to add value. There are countless ways to upgrade the exterior of your home. You can add landscaping, mulch, and flowers as an easy way to improve the look of the outside of your home. Adding splashes of color is ideal for catching the eye of potential homebuyers. You want to vary the height of the plants and shrubs you install. You want to be careful to ensure that your outdoor living space is not overwhelmed by weeds. No matter what you plant, you do not want the space to become overgrown. You can add a walkway as a focal point. You can consider adding a fountain or some other water feature to your home to increase its value.
Add a Greenhouse
While it may seem like an unusual upgrade to make to your home, a greenhouse does appear on the list of best home upgrades to add value. There are potential home buyers that are looking for greenhouses or a plant nursery as part of the home they purchase. Once you have done the hard part of setting up the greenhouse, it is easy to maintain. You have made it simple for buyers to come in and just continue what you started. You don’t have to leave your plants behind, and you can negotiate that in the selling price.
Once you have a greenhouse set up, you have fruits and vegetables available right in your backyard. You can grow items like cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, and spices. It doesn’t matter what size yard you have; you can fit a greenhouse into it. It does not have to be a permanent fixture. You can add a greenhouse that can be taken down any time you want. This is helpful if you have a smaller yard but want to host a party or cookout. A greenhouse is also a great way to add charm to your yard. If you live in an area that is mostly flat without much character, a greenhouse is a great way to improve the look.
Here are some great ways to improve the value of your home. While your budget drives the types of changes you can make, you do not have to blow your entire budget on one upgrade. You can make each one small and manageable while also adding value.