Should I Make These 4 Expensive Upgrades To Sell My Home for a Higher Price? Here’s What Experts Say
Written by
Cameron Diiorio
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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It’s time to sell your house, and your realtor, friends, family and the internet are all telling you different things. One party wants you to remodel the bathrooms, which the other is suggesting you redo the flooring. Everyone seems to have their own opinions on what will make a house sell better when it’s time to put it on the market — but do any hold merit?
When you are ready to sell your house, there are some upgrades that actually are worth it — as well as those that are not.
Countertops
One Reddit user asked the r/RealEstate forum about whether or not a nearly $4,000 kitchen counter top replacement, (recommended by the user’s real estate agent) was worth it. The answer was overwhelmingly no.
In this specific case, the kitchen had been recently remodeled. Reddit users felt the granite countertops were not worth the costly upgrade.
“I love a quartz countertop, and plan on putting one in my kitchen but what if potential buyers don’t like what you chose?,” said Reddit user Pretty-Arm-974. “They may have a completely different vision for what they want their kitchen to look like.”
When it comes to costly upgrades, it may be important to think about whether the time and effort spent coordinating the upgrade is worth the potential increase in home value — and whether or not buyers may have similar taste as you.
Backyard
Fixing your backyard is a remodel that many home experts recommend. A deck addition, for instance, is a sizeable investment, but one that pays off at resale,” according to the HGTV website.
An outdoor deck provides an 83% return on investment at resale, according to HGTV. An attractive backyard, with lights, an outdoor deck and a patio set may increase your home’s value. Those looking to buy a home often consider a place to host guests or enjoy the warm weather.
Making changes to your backyard is generally considered a benefit that will help seller’s make their home more attractive in a competitive market.
Garage Door Replacement
“Replacing a garage door may not be the most exciting house update, but it yields some of the highest returns when it comes to resale value,” according to HGTV. Garage doors are one of the first parts of a house that a potential buyer sees, and spending the time and money to beautify or upgrade your garage door makes your house look more attractive at first glance.
Another investment you could make into your garage door is adding smart technology, like the ability to open your door with an app or high-tech, secure keypad. Garage doors should not only look attractive, but also contribute to keeping your house and belongings safe.
Bathroom Remodel
A bathroom remodel is one of the things that sellers consider when trying to put their house on the market. Whether it’s an upscale bathroom remodel or an upgrading of appliances, an attractive bathroom — where homeowners spend an important part of their mornings and evenings — would be a worthwhile investment.
It might be better to add another bathroom if you only have one, as well. Another option is to convert a half bathroom into a full.
“One consideration to keep in mind: Don’t spend too much money on remodeling a dated bathroom if it’s the only bathroom in your home,” noted the HGTV article. “Your money would be better spent on adding a new bathroom to your home.”
According to HGTV, a bathroom remodel will gain around a 45% return at resale. Though it’s costly and time-consuming, sometimes a bathroom remodel is that extra push a house needs to set it apart from competitors on the market.
Consider Minor Home Repairs Instead
Instead of an expensive overhaul of a room or the outdoor space, it may be worthwhile to consider trying to make your home more sellable through fixing the minor issues that came up throughout your home ownership. For example, anything that is possible through DIY, such as repainting the walls or upgrading the doorbell to a smart doorbell, may just give your house the facelift it needs.
Additionally, consider replacing the light bulbs. Warmer lighting may make a house feel comfier and more appealing to buyers, or cooler lighting might give your house the chic look that a buyer might be interested in. Of course, replacing broken or flickering bulbs is inexpensive, as well as a task that you can take on without professional assistance.
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