Are you thinking about making improvements to your home? Deciding which projects to tackle can be intimidating. But knowing the most profitable home features can help you add value to your property for a great return on your investment.
If you’re ready to buy or sell a home, the team at Julia Monaghan Real Estate is here to help you. We serve sellers and buyers in West Linn, OR, and the Portland Metro area. We are thrilled to guide you through our beautiful Oregon neighborhoods. Reach out today to discuss all of your property desires.
Are You Considering Some Home Updates?
Envisioning what your house can become is a fun pastime for many homeowners. Is your property crying out for a custom kitchen, hardwood floors, or an outdoor living space?
You may be hoping to make your home more desirable to buyers or just want improvements for yourself. Either way, you want to invest in updates that will increase the value of your home.
How to Choose Profitable Home Features When Upgrading
The projects you could do in your home are endless. And they can range from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. So how do you decide which upgrades and updates will be the most profitable when it comes time to sell?
Let’s take a look at the top seven home features that will add to your property value and saleability.
1. Energy Efficient Appliances
It’s not always possible to build a brand new kitchen or laundry room. Budget and square footage restrictions may limit those options. But you can make the most of your spaces with new appliances.
Matching, updated appliances go a long way to giving your home a finished, polished look. Consider upgrading your laundry or kitchen suite to include appliances with popular modern features.
Any new appliances should bring an upgrade in energy efficiency. Check for the Energy Star symbol before making your purchase. Energy efficiency not only offers financial savings for you, but it is also a significant draw for buyers.
2. Well-Designed Landscaping
There’s virtually no limit to how much you can improve your curb appeal with landscaping. Home values can increase by almost 13% when the property has carefully-planned landscaping.
Potential buyers tend to want three things in their home’s exterior design:
- Well-Manicured
- Mature Plants
- Variety of Plants and Colors
If you have the budget for it, consider hiring a landscape designer. This professional can look at your home and zero in on the areas that will catch the eye. They will create a cohesive plan for your yard that takes all four seasons into account. A professional will also make sure the landscaping matches the style and aesthetic of the house.
Many homeowners have a green thumb and an eye for design and prefer to tackle the landscaping on their own. If this is you, make sure to map out your plan before you begin. A flowering bush here and a water feature there may wind up looking disjointed.
Regardless of how much or how little you spend on your yard, make sure you can take the time to keep it looking good. Your beautiful plantings and design won’t show well if no one has maintained them.
Also, keep in mind hardscape features as you plan your yard. Fountains, retaining walls, and walkways can all add beauty and curb appeal when done correctly.
3. The Perfect Paint Job
Painting your interior is one of the least expensive and most DIY-friendly of home projects.
If you are painting just for yourself, go with any color scheme that makes you happy. But if you’re painting with an eye toward selling, aim for neutral colors that visually tie the living spaces together.
Although painting is a simple project, it still requires attentiveness to do it correctly. Ensure you take the time to prep carefully, fill in holes, and tape off the area. Although it can feel tedious and unnecessary, this level of preparation is crucial to a great paint job.
When you are getting ready to sell, a fresh coat of paint throughout your house will up the property value quickly.
4. Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are one of the most profitable home features to have in a property and can last a lifetime if properly maintained. If genuine hardwood isn’t an option with your budget, consider engineered choices such as luxury vinyl planks.
If you can install the same flooring throughout the living spaces, your house will look bigger. One caveat is to avoid putting hardwood flooring in wet areas such as a mudroom or bathroom.
5. Useful Storage Spaces
People accumulate a lot of stuff, and homeowners want to have enough space for all their things. If your home is small, you’ll benefit from making your closets and storage spaces as efficient as possible.
A professional organizer can help you get the most out of your storage areas, but there are plenty of DIY options, too. There is a wide variety of closet plans, kits, and accessories to help keep your home tidy.
If you have room on your lot, consider adding a shed. With many prefabricated choices on the market, you can add significant outside storage for a low cost.
6. Upgraded Light Fixtures
If your lights are generic, dated, or just don’t do a good job of lighting your space, it’s time for a change. Buyers want adequate lighting throughout the house. And having different options such as dimmer switches or under-cabinet lighting is valuable, too.
Swapping out light fixtures is a simple and effective way to add style and personality to any living space. And many homeowners are comfortable doing that job themselves. If that describes you, just be sure to take all safety precautions when working with electrical projects.
7. Age-In-Place Features
An aging population and the rise of multigenerational living have made accessibility one of the most highly profitable home features. Many buyers are looking for the ability to age in place in their homes. Or they need a house that can accommodate three or four generations under one roof.
Anything you can do to your house to make it appeal to this type of buyer is valuable. Some of the top considerations include:
- A walk-In tub or shower
- A master bedroom on the main floor
- A separate entrance to “in-law” quarters
- Higher counters and toilets for comfort
Accessibility upgrades are a benefit that many buyers are seeking in today’s market.
Are You Ready For a Change?
Real estate is an exciting journey at any time. If you are ready to explore your selling or buying options, contact us at Julia Monaghan Real Estate today. We are here to help you explore all of your options while taking away your confusion or fears.
Connect with Julia today to see how our team can serve you!
