Which items will add value to your home and help with resale when the time comes to sell? Only the ones that future buyers will also want and be willing to pay for.
As a general rule, choosing the functional over the merely cosmetic, and neutral over unusual or exotic, will pay off at resale. Taste and current trends can also affect the value of an update. Unusual colors have limited appeal.
Which updates add the most value?
Update your kitchen and bathrooms
Whether you need a minor or major remodel, updating the kitchen or bathrooms in your home will yield a high return on investment. Keep your updates timeless, but pay attention to trends too.
Increase usable space
Add an extra bathroom, upgrade or expand your kitchen or primary suite, add more closet space, or convert an unused space into something more functional, like turning a spare bedroom into a home office or a bonus room into the ultimate hangout space.
Lighten and brighten your rooms
Paint rooms white or a light color to neutralize your space. Add skylights, windows or French doors.
Revamp the exterior
Updated landscaping will draw buyers in before they even walk through the door. Keep your shrubs, trees and grass trimmed and tidy. Add a splash of color with vibrant plants, or paint the front door an eye-catching color. Consider a focal point like a flagstone walkway or a water feature.
