Top 5 Remodeling Projects to Improve Resale Value
In 2022, homebuyers are looking at several important factors that sellers need to consider. Some of these can be DIY projects, while others you may want to just hire a professional for. That being said, buyers are favoring houses that are more move-in ready! There are some things that you sellers can do that will allow you and your homes to be ready, so you can more effectively reach even more buyers. In my years of being a Realtor®, there has consistently been 5 home enhancement projects my team recommends for you to get the most out of the sale of your home.
1. PAINT
It’s always best to stick with neutral colors throughout your home like whites, beiges, and grays. You can even have a specific wall that you may want to accent with another color to make it stand out and be a little different. Make sure the home can be painted in a way that the future homeowners can envision their own colors and tweaks to it. Plus, it’s an easy and relatively inexpensive way to clean up a home and make it look and smell fresh with new paint. More often than not, a good real estate agent will advise a seller to paint their interiors before listing. Depending on the size of your home and if it’s a DIY or not, the average cost for painting can be anywhere from around $950 to $3,000.
2. FLOORS
The typical real estate professional will likely suggest that the flooring in a home should be more uniform and consistent versus having too many variations. This is usually more appealing to buyers, and that’s important. A lot of buyers expect wood floors in a house, or at least the higher quality vinyl. Also, not all the carpeting must go, there is a place for that too. However, if the carpet is old, stained, too bright, or has an aroma (you know what we’re talking about), then this is a must to replace. Again, depending on the size of your home and if it’s a DIY or not, the average cost for flooring can be approximately $800 to $3,000 for carpet, $2500 to $7,000 for hardwood floors, and around $800 to $3,000 for vinyl flooring.
3. KITCHENS
Can you guess what the most popular colored kitchens are? Yes, white! No surprise there. There is something about a nice, clean, bright kitchen space…and this is exactly what most house hunters are looking for. If your home has older cabinets, then this might be a DIY, but it’s not always easy to paint cabinets and paint them well, so don’t hesitate to hire a pro for this because the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home that people look at when buying. You can also add new hardware yourself for relatively inexpensive and it makes a big difference. Depending on the size of your home and if it’s a DIY or not, the average cost for updating your kitchen can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200.
4. COUNTERTOPS + APPLIANCES
When it comes to what’s on top of the cabinets in your home, as well as what type of appliances you have, this can definitely turn off buyers. It’s suggested that bright (of course), even monochromatic is the way to go. Gray or white counters that are granite, marble or quartz are very desirable right now and have been for a while. The use of darker colors like brown and multi-colored stone gives a home a more dated look, so stay away from those if possible. However, if you’re looking for a more DIY and cost-effective project, then consider Butcher block. And if you’re trying to put lipstick on a pig so to speak, and your entire kitchen is outdated, then new countertops alone are not a sufficient alternative…you need to look at the whole room and area. The average cost of updating countertops and appliances depends on the size of your home and if it’s a DIY or not, but can be anywhere from $40 to $100 per square foot for new counters, and around $1,200 to $20,000 for new appliances (again, depending on brands, styles and more).
5. BATHROOMS
You would be amazed at what a professional cleaner can do to a bathroom! An in depth and thorough cleaning can make an incredible difference. If this is going to be done DIY style, then be sure to be detailed with the corners, hidden areas, as well as the obvious things like grout and places that there may be the typical water build-up. Get them not only clean, but sanitized…after-all, it’s a bathroom! Depending on the size of your bathrooms and if it’s a DIY or not, the average cost for cleaning can cost anywhere from $70 to $100 per hour…but is worth the ROI (return on investment).
As always, if you’re thinking of listing, or if you don’t own a home, condo or similar, and are ready to buy, let me know and I’ll help you take advantage of current market conditions, as well as all the resources and referrals I have from my many years in the industry. As a 10 year Five Star Real Estate Agent, knowing that no matter what is happening in the economy, and especially now, you need a professional real estate broker as your ally, and you’ll be in great hands with my team and me!
We’re excited to help you #moveforward,
Teresa Catania, Broker
West + Main Homes
West + Main Homes Oregon
Bend Oregon | Central Oregon | Portland Oregon
503-740-3293
teresa@teresacatania.com