Home Improvements To Avoid, And Improvements That Add Value

If you’re looking to sell your home in the next couple years, there’s no doubt you’re thinking of different projects you’d like to get done before you list your house. But did you know that while some home improvement projects will add value to your home and get you a better selling price, some home improvement projects can actually hurt your bottom line? Ask the average homeowner and they don’t know which projects are which. Don’t make their mistakes, do your research before you start and put some of that money back in your pocket. Here are some home improvement projects to avoid, and a few that will actually add value to your home.

Home Improvements to Avoid

Some of these projects are great if you’re planning on staying in your home for awhile and want to enjoy them, but if you’re looking to actually add value to your home, then stay away.

Replacing the roof. If it doesn’t leak, then don’t worry about it.
Over-landscaping your yard is something to avoid. You don’t want to be the best looking house on the street, and doing upkeep on a yard too landscaped can turn a lot of people too.
Adding fancy technology – remember when everyone was running Internet lines in their homes? It’s all a waste now since we’re wireless. Technology changes so quickly, it’s best to let it alone before your house becomes outdated.
Extensive wallpaper – sometimes an accent wall and paint can be a great way to decorate a room, but you don’t want potential buyers to come in and only see your wallpaper. You want them to see the house instead.
Over-Improving your home. Bet you didn’t know this was a problem did you? While upgrading your kitchen can improve the value of your house, it won’t improve the value of your house up to $400,000 when all the other houses in your neighborhood are worth $300,000. This also applies to other outlandishly fancy upgrades such as fountains, wine cellars, etc.

Home Improvements That Add Value

It may seem like there are so many home improvements to avoid that there aren’t that many improvements you can actually do that will add value to your home, but that isn’t the case. Here are a few projects you can do that will help your house sell faster, for a higher sell price.

Create or Renovate a Master Suite – most buyers are looking for something they can call their own, and homes that have had some work done to them before being listed typically sell faster. Buyers want a retreat all their own, with a nice sized master closet. Create a haven.
Buyers want open floor plans, they’re really popular right now. If doing so will cost too much money, then renovate your family room.
Invest in some kitchen upgrades. You may want to give your cabinets a face lift with a new stain or layer of paint, or some new hardware. If your appliances are old and outdated, consider upgrading them as well. While kitchen upgrades are expensive and add up fast, everyone wants a nice kitchen. Just be sure to stay within your budget.
Add another bathroom. If your house has fewer bathrooms than bedrooms, then it may be worth it to invest in a bathroom. Transform that storage space under stairs into a nice bathroom instead of having your guests climb the stairs to use the facilities.
Add or upgrade a deck on the back of your house. People want to be able to entertain outdoors, and adding a nice outdoor area can be highly attractive for potential buyers.
Make some minor bathroom changes. Replacing hardware and light fixtures can totally improve the look of your bathroom.

Be sure to stick to projects that will improve the look and value of your home if you’re considering selling your house in the next few years. Remember that just a few small projects can improve the overall look and feel of your house and make it much more attractive to potential home buyers.

Citations:

By Jeffry Evans – I’m a researcher about state real estate licenses. If you’re looking to become a real estate agent it’s not about the “nuts and bolts”. It’s about marketing yourself http://www.realestatelicense.org/real-estate-internet-marketing.html.

Home Improvements To Avoid, And Improvements That Add Value