This is a question that many homeowners ask themselves when considering how to increase the value of their home. Small-scale outdoor upgrades can deliver the most value, according to experts. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling remain the two best investments you can make in your home to increase its appraised and resale value. These areas are where people spend most of their time in their homes, so it's important to make sure that money is well spent.
When it comes to outdoor upgrades, adding outdoor living spaces to your property increases the value of the home, as long as the features are properly built and cared for. The American Society of Landscape Architects suggests budgeting between 10 and 20% of your home's value on gardening. If that doesn't seem realistic for your situation, focus on improving your landscape project by project. When remodeling your kitchen for resale, use traditional materials and appliances, such as wood cabinets, commercial-looking appliances, natural wood or stone floors, and stone countertops.
Bathroom additions return the most, according to Remodeling magazine report, an average of 86.4 percent. The addition of attic bedrooms, family rooms, and sunrooms returned 70 to more than 80 percent of the money spent. If you don't plan to move in the near future, spend your money on remodeling the way you enjoy the most. However, if you are planning to sell your home, be careful not to go overboard with upgrades.
Some projects add value to your home at resale, while others almost never do. Here are six upgrades that seem to add value to your home, but don't really:
- A new front door
- A new garage door
- A fresh landscape
- Colourful furniture
- Protruding shrubs hanging in pots
- Table flower vases
It's worth stressing that you'll rarely make a profit on landscaping a backyard, but if you do it wisely, you need to get your money back by adding value to your home and you'll certainly have a better chance of selling your home faster and for a higher price.
