4 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

Update Kitchens and Bathrooms

Updating highly trafficked rooms of a home can up its value to potential buyers. Kitchens and bathrooms are necessities in a home, and whether we want to or not, we spend a large portion of our lives in these two rooms.

Kitchen Upgrades

One kitchen upgrade that will make all the difference in the eyes of a buyer is stainless steel. This finish has the stereotypical “futuristic” look that many future homeowners imagine in their dream kitchens. The popular black stainless steel finish is popular with homeowners and those looking to buy a home as well.

Another easy upgrade you can make to your kitchen is swapping out your countertops. Marble or granite have been the go-to for years, but quartz countertops are making a run for the top spot. They have good resistance to heat, scratches, cuts, and stains and don’t require the specialized upkeep of other natural stone materials.

Bathroom Upgrades

Upgraded bathrooms aren’t usually a dealbreaker for a home, but they can be helpful in enticing picky potential buyers. Installing low flush and low flow fixtures and other green initiatives will help the next owners save money on energy bills, which can be a selling point for some.

Another upgrade people are looking for in a home is a home they won’t grow out of. As people get older, stepping over a tub to get into a shower becomes more difficult (or in some cases, dangerous). Adding a walk-in shower can be a huge bonus to an older couple or family who plans to make roots.

Improve Energy Efficiency

Going green is a growing movement in the United States and elsewhere. The ever-increasing demand for environmentally friendly home products has created a slew of products in the market for anyone trying to cut back on energy use. Lowering the energy used in your home or daily life has financial benefits beyond saving on utility bills. Most states have renewable energy incentives for solar panel installations and other green home improvements.

LED light bulbs are one simple change you can make today for your home. LEDs use less energy than the traditional halogen incandescents, which helps you lower the strain on your wallet and increases their lifespan. In fact, LED lights can last approximately 50 times longer than halogen incandescents and 8-10 times longer than CFL bulbs.

Another home improvement that will add to the value of your home overall is the installation of solar panels. Solar panels create an independent source of power for your home that doesn’t rely on energy from the grid. Plus, solar pays for itself in a few years with the savings you’ll have on your utility bills.

Think Smarter

Investing in smart technology can be a bit of a gamble, but certain trends are likely to stick around for the long haul. Smart thermostats offer a level of convenience and features that millennials have grown accustomed to throughout their lives.

With smart thermostats, a homeowner can set the temperature to their comfort level from their phone--this means you can turn on the air conditioner when you leave work so you aren’t wasting energy all day keeping your home cool, but you still get to return to a comfortable home. Certain brands of smart thermostats can also save your preferences and learn from them to set their own schedules--which saves you money and energy.

Replace Your Roof

Your roof is the one part of your home that protects just about everything else inside it. Without a roof, all kinds of weather, animals, bugs, and who knows what else would be allowed in the same space as your family and prized possessions. However, no matter how well-cared for it may be, every roof has a life expectancy. Certain roofing materials last longer than others, but eventually, every roof will need a replacement.

Missing shingles, water damage, and damaged flashing can all have an effect on the overall appeal of your home. According to Remodeling Magazine, a new roof can add around $12,000 in value to your home. New roofing is an incentive for a potential buyer because it’s one less thing they’ll have to put work into themselves.