Many of our clients get excited when they consider all the possibilities of remodeling their home. Customizing your space to fit your needs can really make your life easier and more enjoyable. However, it’s important to consider how these changes will influence the resale value of your home should you ever need to sell.
Here are 10 remodeling tips to take into consideration if you intend to move in the years to come:
1. Keep bright exterior paint to a minimum
Curb appeal serves as a strong first impression for home buyers, so if the exterior of your home could use a refresh, it’s important to choose a color that isn’t too bold. Try to stick with modern, neutral colors. If you feel like you need a pop of color to add personality and make your home stand out, try accent colors by painting the front door or shutters – repainting these items later on won’t be as daunting to buyers as repainting the entire house.
2. Take advantage of lighting
The brightness of a room can make a huge impact on its appearance. Not only will the space feel larger and more open, but will also allow for buyers to feel more confident in what they are seeing. Having a window installed or widened is a great option for small, dark rooms. Adding light colored paint, sheer curtains and bright light fixtures can also remedy the problem.
3. Replace dated fixtures
While your brass faucets and fixtures might work just fine, these little dated details can be a real turn-off to buyers. Gold framed showers, door knobs and hinges all contribute to an out-of-style interior. Replace them with brushed nickel or chrome for a fresh look.
4. Think twice before covering original hardwoods with carpet
Statistics say that home buyers are willing to pay more for a home that has hardwood floors. Instead of paying for new wall-to-wall carpets, consider refinishing your hardwoods – they could pay off big when it’s time to move!
5. Keep the garage
Many of our clients request bids to convert their garage into something – whether it’s a bedroom, home office, or guest house. While this might seem like a solution to your current needs, it’s important to keep in mind how this will affect your home’s resale value. Most buyers want a garage for practical reasons, and not having one could be a deal breaker.
6. Don’t combine bedrooms
Similar to converting your garage, combining bedrooms to create a bigger master suite can threaten resale value. A three-bedroom home commands a significantly higher sale price than a two-bedroom of comparable square footage. So, no matter how beautiful your renovation may be, if it means reducing your overall number of bedrooms, you may lose out on future home buyers.
7. Carefully choose your countertops
Installing new counters is a great home investment that can really pay off when you get ready to move. However, be aware of what materials are ideal and which are not. Soapstone and marble, for example, are red flags to some home shoppers, as their resilience pales in comparison to engineered quartz or granite. It’s best to choose a material that is durable and easy to maintain.
8. Don’t over-do accessibility
Remodeling your home for aging in place is a growing trend among older folks who intend to live in their home for the rest of their lives. When the time comes to sell, however, features like stair lifts, walk-in tubs, or wheelchair ramps may hinder resale value. Less invasive amenities like roll-out cabinets, curbless showers, nonslip flooring, and enhanced lighting, are better options, which can be beneficial at any age.
9. Backyard sports courts aren’t everyone’s preference
Unless the home buyer shares your passion for sports, a backyard court will be a setback when trying to sell your home. While a multipurpose patch of asphalt may be considered an added bonus by some, for most it’s a waste of valuable space that will need to be removed. Don’t expect to recoup the cost of this renovation when it comes time to sell.
10. Reconsider putting in a pool
Having your own private pool sounds like a neat idea, but in reality, most homeowners quickly grow tired of the cost and responsibilities required to maintain it. Buyers tend to lose interest when they consider what it will mean to have a pool – including that it could increase their homeowner’s insurance rate and be an unattractive eyesore in the winter months when leaves and debris collect on top of the pool cover.
Renovating and customizing your home can be a fun experience, but it’s definitely important to keep in mind what the changes will mean for your home’s resale value later on.
If you have an idea for your home, but aren’t sure if it’s a wise choice, contact us today! With over 30 years of experience in the remodeling industry, we’d be more than happy to answer your questions and provide helpful advice!
Warm Regards,
The Medford Remodeling Team
