Thinking about what home improvements increase resale value? You’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re thinking about selling in the next year or simply want to add value in advance, we’ll cover the best home improvements to increase resale value. Below, we’ll break down ideas for both large and small improvements that can help you get the most value out of what you spend.
Best Large-Scale Changes To Increase Your Home Resale Value
#1. Undergoing A Kitchen Remodel
As one of the most-used spaces in your home, it shouldn’t be surprising that a kitchen remodel is at the top of the list. Having an up-to-date one can make your house feel move-in-ready, which can be appealing to buyers.
The ROI you get from one will depend on a few factors, like whether you opt for a minor, midrange, or major remodel. Working with an experienced kitchen remodeler can be a plus, as they’ll help you assess what changes offer the best value for your space.
What’s the ROI? The national return of a kitchen remodel is estimated to be about 56.1% to 71.2%.
Pros Of A Kitchen Remodel:
- Better functionality and use of space
- Updated appliances
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons Of A Kitchen Remodel:
- Supply shortages
- High material costs
- Permits potentially needed
- Disruption of your household routines
Our tips? Certainly pick styles and elements you like, but we recommend to avoid going too trendy with design and aesthetic choices. Try to pick elements that are neutral and generally pleasing to anyone.
Also consider the updates and features that will add the most value in your remodel like: custom cabinetry, new appliances, high-quality countertops, energy-efficient lighting, a good sink/faucet setup, and custom storage options.
#2. Completing A Bathroom Remodel
Like the kitchen, your bathrooms are another high-traffic area for everyone in the house. From recent reports, going too upscale with a remodel can actually lead to a slightly lower ROI, while doing a mid-range remodel job leads to the best return.
What’s the ROI? The national average ROI of a bathroom remodel for a midrange project is 70.1%. (It’s about 56.2% for an upscale one, mostly because of the cost of materials used.)
Pros Of A Bathroom Remodel:
- Energy efficient fixtures
- Aesthetically pleasing & move-in ready
Cons Of A Bathroom Remodel:
- Supply shortages
- High material costs
- Disruption of household routine
Our tips? Focus your money and time on the features that will add the most value like adding a walk-in shower, refinishing your tub, picking nice vanities/countertops, and increasing bathroom storage.
#3. Building An Extra Addition
Increasing the square footage of your home is another way to help substantially increase resale value of your home. Adding a bedroom or living space may open your house up to a new set of potential buyers who wouldn’t have considered your home originally.
What’s the ROI? Adding a room or addition yields an average ROI of over 50%. You can see more specifics on the ROI of different types of additions here.
Pros Of An Addition:
- More space can attract higher offers
- Allows you to reach new target buyers
Cons Of An Addition:
- Will likely involve permits and increased property tax
- Will lose yard space if it’s a first floor addition
- Higher costs with heating and cooling
Our tips? We recommend choosing to add a bedroom or bathroom. (Those both yield some of the highest returns.) Additionally, working with a partner who has experience with additions is important. Doing so can help the process with permits and regulations go smoother.
#4. Finishing Your Basement or Attic
Working with the space you have inside your home can also be a great choice. Finishing a space to add more living space can go a long way.
What’s the ROI? The national ROI of finishing a basement or attic is around 70-75%.
Pros Of Finishing A Space:
- Adds more living areas without taking away from your yard
Cons Of Finishing A Space:
- Will require extra work like adding insulation or support
- May require new electrical wiring, HVAC, or plumbing
Our tips? Again we recommend working with an experienced remodeling partner who can help you anticipate some of the unexpected needs of finishing a space. They’ll help you know what obstacles you can anticipate.
#5. Getting a New Roof
One of the most practical updates you can make, you’ll find this project will also yield a fairly high return if you’re looking to sell.
What’s the ROI? Looking at national data, a new asphalt shingle roof could yield a 61% ROI. Other long-lasting materials like metal can be even higher.
Pros Of A New Roof:
- Keeps leaks and moisture out
- Prevents any other damage
Cons Of A New Roof:
- May be noisy during installation
Our tips? When you’re picking out a local roofer, make sure to look at more than just the price. Consider the quality and training of the crews. You want to make sure the team working on your roof is taking care to fix any damage spotted before putting the new one on.
#6. Updating Your Siding
Another practical update, siding yields an extremely high return if you notice yours is in poor shape ahead of wanting to sell.
What’s the ROI? Looking at updating vinyl siding alone, you could see about a 95% ROI.
Pros Of New Siding:
- Increases the curb appeal of your home
- Boosts its energy efficiency
- Protects your house
Cons Of New Siding:
- Less expensive materials may be less durable
Our tips? The material you choose and its ability to last will determine your ROI. At the same time, you want to make sure you don’t overspend against what you plan to get back from the update. Don’t forget to also consider other touches, like adding a decorative stone veneer, which can help boost your return.
Best Small-Scale Projects To Increase Your Home Resale Value
If you’re looking for smaller projects that can make an impact before selling, here are some less time-consuming, smaller updates that can make a big difference.
#1. Updating Windows and Doors
At the top of our list of small ways to increase home resale value, replacing some doors or windows is one the best. It’s an update potential buyers will notice and appreciate because of the important role they play in regulating temperatures and energy costs year-round.
What’s the ROI? Adding new windows or doors can bring up to a 69% return.
Pros Of New Windows Or Doors:
- Reduces the chance of buyers negotiating to bring the price down
- Boosts the energy efficiency of your home
Cons Of New Windows Or Doors:
- Not installing properly can cause damage or moisture issues
Our tips? If you’re not confident tackling it alone, work with a professional window and door installation team to ensure your new ones are properly fitted and inserted.
#2. Adding An Outdoor Deck
Decks are the summertime living room of your home. So adding one and increasing outdoor space for the next homeowner isn’t a bad idea.
What’s the ROI? A wooden deck alone could bring in a 76% ROI.
Pros Of An Outdoor Deck
- Can be added even if the ground outside your home isn’t even
- Less labor-intensive than adding a stone patio
- Easy to customize and match to your home
Cons Of An Outdoor Deck
- Might require a permit depending where you live.
- Certain deck materials require more maintenance in a lifetime. (For example – wood requires frequent staining.)
Our tips? Choose a material that is sturdy and economical so you don’t put too much spend into this project. If you want to dress your new deck up, consider talking to your deck crew about decorative elements, like choosing a different type of material for the railings.
#3. Purchasing Energy-Efficient Appliances
Anything you can do to lessen what a homebuyer needs to purchase aside from the house is a win. Especially updating important appliances in key areas, like the kitchen. Even if cosmetically it needs work, the new appliances may help bump up your buyer’s consideration.
What’s the ROI? Investing in new appliances can yield a small ROI boost of around 7%.
Pros Of New Appliances
- Can help buyers overlook cosmetic work needed
- Offers savings in energy expenses
Cons Of New Appliances
- It doesn’t yield a super high ROI in comparison to other projects
Our tips? Try to avoid going with top-of-the-line or high-end appliances. Choosing something at a moderate price point with key features (like Energy Star rated) is best.
#4. Repainting Your Interior
Clean interior walls, with no stains, scuff marks, or nail holes help make your home tidy and presentable for potential buyers. It’s one of the most simple ways to help increase the appeal of your home.
What’s the ROI? Assuming you choose generally appealing colors, interior painting can provide up to a 107% ROI.
Pros Of New Paint
- Makes your house even more move-in ready
- Cleans up wall marks or damage
Cons of New Paint
- Requires the right color choices to see a return
Our tips? Whether you paint yourself or hire a professional to help, make sure to take time filling in any holes and patching. Opt for warm or neutral colors and ensure the final paint lines are clean and there aren’t any drips when your paint is dry.
How To Increase Home Resale Value In PA: Tips To Keep In Mind
There’s no exact answer as to what the best changes to increase home resale value are for you. At the end of the day, many unique factors will affect selling your home. This list can give you some ideas to start, but you’ll need to think about what works best for you.
We recommend you think about the following when deciding what projects to start:
- Consider what you’re willing to spend and what’s within your budget.
- Do research on the preferences of potential buyers in your area.
- Factor in the state of the market. (Who has more power – buyers or sellers?)
- Look at comparable homes in your neighborhood.
- Discuss your options with your local real estate agent.
From there, you can figure out what good ROI looks like for you and pick the changes that will have the best impact.
Working with KSW Construction
Now that you’ve decided on the best home improvements to increase your home’s resale value, you need to find a trusted partner who can handle any of the jobs discussed above. At KSW Construction, not only do we offer interior home improvement services, but we can also work on your home’s exterior.
Our professional crews are licensed and insured and will treat your home as if it were their own. We don’t believe in rushing through jobs—we take our time and make sure our work is up to all PA safety standards.
Our job is to make your house feel like a home because you, and your home, deserve the best.
