Whether you’re looking to make your home significantly more comfortable and functional, need to reduce your bills, or are preparing to list your home on the market, you’re likely searching for the home upgrades that will give you the most for your money spent. Unfortunately, not all renovations are equally valuable, so, to help you narrow down your prospective projects, we’ve put together this list of 7 worthwhile home upgrades:
Remodeling Your Kitchen or Bathroom
Time and time again, bathroom and kitchen remodels prove to be one of the most sought after upgrades for buyers. A lot of this has to do with the fact that these are the rooms that many people spend the most time in. After all, who wants to cook in an outdated kitchen or shower in a tiny, old tub?
One thing to keep in mind when remodeling the kitchen and bathroom is to not go overboard, unless you’re just doing these upgrades for you. But, if you do plan on selling in the new future and are doing these renovations to increase the value of your home, you don’t want to make your kitchen or bathroom too far outside the scope of the rest of the home or what your neighbors have to offer.
Adding Solar Panels
Solar panels have been a popular green upgrade for years because they can not only help you save on your electric bill, but they help you reduce your carbon footprint. Investing in solar panels is a win-win situation for both you and the environment. As you likely know, energy efficiency is also a highly sought after feature when buyers are searching for their new home.
However, many homeowners are hesitant to take on such a big project because of the initial investment—but that’s where solar financing comes in.
Building a Deck
Who wouldn’t love a space to spend time outside on the weekends with family or hosting gatherings for friends? Building a deck is one addition you’ll surely get plenty of use out of and can be a selling point if you choose to list your home.
Replacing Window Panes
Old window panes tend to be ineffective when it comes to regulating temperature and can let a lot of outside noise in, both of which undesirable to most homeowners. Energy-efficient windows can save you (or future homeowners) on the electric bill and make your home a peaceful oasis for you and your family. Plus, once the warm weather of summer hits, you’ll be thankful that you’ve made this investment.
Landscaping
If you think about it, your yard is one of the first things you and other people see when they approach your home. So, it makes sense that you would want it to look its absolute best. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression. When you’re planning a landscape upgrade, be selective about which elements will give you the most ROI (return on investment).
When you’re looking to boost your curb appeal, you want to make sure that everything looks well-manicured, aesthetically pleasing, and inviting—think nice trees, a beautiful garden, a stone walkway, or carefully selected succulents. Don’t forget to keep in mind that most buyers are much more water conscious, so you don’t want to put in a ton of greenery that is going to drive their water consumption up too much.
Repainting
If your front door is chipped, the exterior of your house is faded from years of sunlight, or your shutters look dull and dingy, it could make your home look far less approachable than other options on the block. A fresh coat of paint can take your house from looking outdated to the belle of the block.
Insulation
Insulation might seem like a big project to tackle, but you can rest assured knowing that it’s one of the most worthwhile home upgrades you can make. Not only is it highly beneficial from a green standpoint by saving you money on your electric bill and keeping your home cooler, but it’s attractive to buyers for the same reason—making it easier to sell your home.
What home upgrades should you pass on if you’re going to sell soon?
So, now that we’ve given you the rundown on some of the best home upgrades you can make, here are a few renovations that aren’t usually worth the investment:
- Room additions
- Sunrooms
- Elaborate home offices
- In-ground swimming pools
These are just a few considerations to keep in mind when updating your home, but you should also focus on what holds the most value to you personally if you’re focused on making your house the best place to live for you and your family.