Get your ROR – Return on Renovations!

Last year, the average return on common remodeling projects was about 60% nationwide, according
to Remodeling magazine's 35th annual Cost vs. Value report.

That's some serious ROI (I mean, ROR!). If you are thinking of moving and want to maximize your sales price, here are some of the top projects to consider BEFORE putting your home on the market! 

(Oh, and if you are worried about how to come up with the cash for a project ahead of a move, or not sure what trends are selling best now, call us – we have lots of options to help you through every step of the process!)

1. Boost your curb appeal

Curb appeal is your key to landing a solid first impression with buyers, and can get them excited about the home as soon as they drive up. In addition to the basics of yard care – mowing, weeding, mulching and adding some fresh color to your flower beds, making the home appealing from the curb with additions the buyers will be excited by can make a major impact on your home's value. Consider updating your garage doors, replacing or trim with an on-trend look like board and batten siding, and add some up-lighting on the walkways to help your house shine!

2. Update your floor plan functionality

Open floorplans are still in high demand, so if your floorplan is broken up into individual rooms, considering a remodel to open up the living space can be a valuable change. If you find the idea of taking down walls a little too intimidating for DIY, our team has the local resources you can trust to help you convert your space!

Another option to upgrade your home's functionality for today's buyers is to create a home office. With more and more people working remotely, a comfortable and private space to conduct business from home is in high demand. You can easily flip a spare bedroom, a formal dining or spare sitting room into work-from-home space. Alternatively consider finishing part of your garage or a basement space, or even closing in a walk-in attic area to create the perfect home office.

3. Bring the spa home

Buyers are looking for bathrooms that feel like a spa experience, so upgrades in the bathrooms, especially the master suite, are going to make homes more appealing and increase demand.

Winners in this market include tiled showers and stand-alone soaking tubs, although if space is limited, skip the tub and just make a larger shower space with a built-in bench. Adding a rain shower head and glass surround are buyer favorites as well. Double sink vanities are always a big hit, and you can finish the look off with stone countertops, modern light fixtures and a lux tile floor. If you have the option to expand the size of the bathroom, even better, as anything that adds light and space to the room will contribute to a modern, spa-like experience.

4. Get cooking in the kitchen

We talked earlier about opening up the floorplan to make the kitchen more accessible. Updated cabinets,
countertops and appliances score high on the list of buyers' wish lists as well. As a central space in any home for its utility and as a gathering place for family and friends, it's important that the kitchen reflect modern styles. Stone countertops, sleek tile backsplashes, and freshly painted or updated cabinets all pay dividends when you are ready to sell. New appliances, large single-bowl or farmhouse sinks, and kitchen islands that double as prep space and additional dining seating are all popular additions for on-trend kitchens.

5. Small changes make a big impact

Even if you can't afford a big remodel prior to moving, never fear – simply keeping up with regular
maintenance on your home will help you reap the best return on your investment. A roof is one of the biggest ticket items on a house, and with insurance companies getting pickier about insuring homes with older roofs, consider replacing yours if it's over 15 years, or at least getting a full inspection and any recommended repairs prior to listing. Keep your HVAC units running properly with seasonal checks by professionals, and frequently changing the filters. Maintain annual pest control services to check for tiny intruders that will quite literally eat away at the value of your home, and if you are on a septic system, ensure you have it inspected and pumped, if necessary, prior to listing. Taking these steps to ensure your home doesn't show signs of deferred maintenance will help you get top dollar for your property.