So you're ready to sell your home! Prior to listing, your property might benefit from a few upgrades to help maximize your equity. Given that home improvement ROI percentages are on the rise, below are 6 affordable home improvements to increase resale value.
Of course the best way to ensure your time and money are focused in the right areas is to schedule a free consultation with an agent from KC Homes 365. Our extensive knowledge of buyer priorities and design trends can help you make smart choices - and avoid bad ones - when remodeling or renovating your home.
Or simply read on for 6 affordable home improvments to increase resale value.
1. Curb Appeal is King
Let’s talk landscaping! Few elements make as significant an impact when prepping your home to sell. Per a study from the Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech, attractive landscaping can increase a home's value by as much as 12%!
But ... all landscaping is not created equal, different elements add unique values.
Most desirable for potential homebuyers:
- Sophisticated landscape design, which can add 42% to your home's value.
- Ranking second are plants that are somewhat larger or more mature, increasing home values by 32%.
- Last, simply diversifying the types of plants can add 22%.
Those are significant numbers! So head to your local nursery and turn your thumb green to see more green in your pocket on closing day. Ask for landscape designer who can sketch some ideas based on your home.
| A landscape accent we love ...
Fine Line Buckthorn trees and shrubs lend tall and thin texture and shape to otherwise static landscapes. They work perfectly as an accent or border, and grow in zones 3-7.
2. First Impressions Matter
The home entry is a natural welcoming point for potential buyers! It's no surprise that a new front door made our list of affordable home improvements to increase resale value of your home.
Steel doors add style and architectural interest to your main entryway, while fiberglass doors can be designed with the appearance of wood to give your home a modern look.
Plus, a new door is worth the investment: A 2019 resale value report lists the recoup cost of an entry door replacement at 82.3% for the midwest region.
And with advancements in front door safety, such as multipoint locking systems, a new door can also make buyers feel more secure.
3. Garage Doors? An Unexpected Affordable Home Improvement to Increase Resale Value
Home buyers love curb appeal!
New garage doors may not be the most obvious home upgrade project when channeling your inner Chip Gaines, but with an average job cost of $3572 and a cost recoup of 81%, we would be remiss to not include them on our list.
Looking for an instant home value estimate based on real data from our Kansas City MLS?
4. The Heart of the Home
Kitchen remodeling can be expensive! So consider small renovations to make your home more buyer-friendly.
Fresh paint is a low cost way to garner big impact in a room where families spend much of their time. It will cover kitchen grime and help eliminate lingering cooking odors.
For colors, remember that trendy shades may go out as fast as they came in. You also run the risk of not suiting a potential buyer’s taste. Instead choose neutral colors that warm the room and help buyers better envision themselves living there. Neutral shades also make it easier to update the palate to their liking.
That said, if you feel daring and want to strive for more pre-sale impact by choosing a color that’s all the rage, be sure to do thorough homework on what’s “in” for the space.
Regardless of paint color, matte finishes have transitional qualities that will help buyers more easily match the appliances they want to use in their new kitchen.
Additionally, new hardware for the sink and refinished or repainted cabinets are also simple and affordable home improvements to increase resale value.
Become a KC Homes 365 Insider
Get our latest updates, market news, and event announcements straight to your inbox.
Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here. Please check your email for further instructions.
5. Bathrooms! Lots of Options for Affordable Home Improvments to Increase Resale Value
Like bedrooms, bathrooms are where we start and end each day so they contribute a lot to the tone of a home.
Consider a few easy upgrades if a makeover is beyond your financial reach. New shower doors, cleaned/replaced grout, or refinished tubs and shower tiles are a great start. Replace your sink or toilet for additional minimal investment. Top off any improvements with new sink hardware and towel bars.
Ultimately, these simple upgrades will cost less money but go a long way to modernize the look of your bathroom and help increase your home’s resale value.
6. Home Maintenance = Buyer Confidence
Even a little elbow grease, in the form of small chores around your home, can help boost your home's resale value.
Proactive maintenance shows home buyers that the home has been well cared for. And that means less chance of unexpected repairs following the inspection and closing.
Maintaining the basics costs a little money and certainly some effort, but professional appraisers and real estate agents agree the end is worth the means. Make ongoing home maintenance easier by creating and following a schedule.
It’s also a great idea to keep a notebook cataloging the details and timing of any maintenance or repairs on your home. That will make it easier for you in filling out the seller's disclosure form, and the next owner will appreciate the effort.
We're always happy to help!
Avoid missteps if you’re thinking of renovating any areas of your home prior to selling! Contact KC Homes 365 for expert guidance on how those changes might appeal to future buyers and where to best focus your time and money.
Or, if you're simply curious about other ways you can increase your home’s resale value, please reach out!