Smartest Home Renos for Best Return
Today’s volatile home market is creating anxiety not only for buyers (“Is this a good time to buy?”) but for potential sellers (“Is my home going to bring what I need to relocate?) I’m here for you sellers with some renovation ideas that will help you showcase your home’s best features and benefit from your increased equity. (BTW, I give some good advice here about staging your home to sell.)
Let’s start with general refresh tips for the whole house.
Reno Tip #1. Cheapest. Update. Ever.
PAINT.
If you paint a room yourself, you can probably do it for $150 a room, even with all your supplies. A light neutral is easy to decorate with and easy for any future buyers to envision themselves in. Warmer neutrals (more golden undertones) have made a comeback recently but certainly haven’t displaced light grey and “greige” (a greyed beige) as perfect neutrals, according to realtors. As with other renovations that will have the most appeal to the most people, don’t go over the top with any finishes or features.
Of course, always repair any stress cracks first and disclose any foundation issues!
Reno Tip #2. Refresh flooring.
Sure, all the home reno shows make you think that NO ONE has carpet anymore. But if your carpet is new-ish and in decent shape– especially in bedrooms–just go with it. Maybe layer on some colorful rugs in conversation areas or bedrooms for a designer look.
Area rugs are also great to downplay less-than-optimum tile floors in dining nooks and family rooms.
BUT if your carpet is old, stained, or a dated color, you’d be smart to remove it and replace it with hardwood, at least in the main living areas. In older homes, you may have hardwoods already, lucky you. They may just need a refinish!
Engineered hardwood is a more affordable option. Not to mention all the new types of luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which offer great waterproof, real-wood looks that are very pet- and kid-friendly!
Reno Tip #3. Update light fixtures.
Nothing screams “dated” like fluorescent light boxes and old “boob” ceiling fixtures.
This is an easy fix! You can’t believe all the new lighting options that
a) look super stylish
b) aren’t that expensive, and
c) are easy to install.
So there’s no reason not to update lighting when you’re readying your home for sale! If you want to take it a step further, get an electrician to install some strategically-placed can lights/down lights in the kitchen and living areas.
BTW, if you have ceiling fans, update those, too!
Next time, I’ll give you tips specific to two rooms that really sell houses: the kitchen and bathrooms.
Whether selling or staying put in your home, it’s a good day for a refresh! I offer a complimentary, no-strings-attached phone call consultation.
Email me to book a call time–and let’s start making design fun!
