Add Value By Renovating

If you plan to sell your house sometime in the future, it would be prudent to complete basic renovations now. Certain areas in your home should be in excellent condition, not only to increase resale value but to make it a more pleasant environment for you and your family. Beginning on these needed updates now will allow you freedom to choose the best time to sell your residence.

Taking care of your home's fundamentals definitely adds value to it. If the roof is showing its age, replacing it is an excellent idea. Buyers are especially fearful of purchasing a home only to find water puddled on the floor after the first big rain. Reroofing is expensive, but you'll more than regain that amount in the sale of your home.

Another item of particular interest to buyers is the heating and cooling system in the home. If your furnace or air conditioning unit is unreliable, replace it now for your own comfort and safety and a better price for your home when you decide to sell.

The exterior of the house needs to be in excellent condition as well, so invest in new siding or a coat of paint, if possible, but if not, replace loose pieces of siding and power wash the outside. Making the surface shine is important to completing a profitable sale.

Another simple and relatively inexpensive improvement is updating the landscaping. Nothing elaborate is required, but curb appeal is important. Updating the flowers and shrubbery can definitely make your home more attractive to house hunters.

A Kitchen renovation is essential to adding value to your home. The kitchen makes or breaks the sale of any house, so having it look and feel modern is essential to a profitable resale. Hiring professional help for this task is recommended, although homeowners with construction skills may be able to accomplish the needed updates themselves.

Potential buyers are lured by modern appliances. Currently stainless steel is still in vogue, but whatever models you choose should be quality items with convenient features. Cutting corners on this room will cost you money during a sale. If buying new cabinets is too expensive, just replacing the doors may be an option. You'll give the cabinets a new look without going over your budget.

A kitchen renovation should also include new countertops. You don't need to choose top-of-the line materials, but you'd be wise to invest in something durable and attractive. Granite is still preferred by many buyers, but you have many other options. Just do not choose anything too out-of-the ordinary since homes decorated in neutrals still have more appeal for many house hunters.

Kitchen renovation may take the lion's share of your interior redecorating budget, but that's to be expected. It is better to put the bulk of your money toward updating the kitchen than other rooms simply because it can sell a home almost by itself. Once the kitchen renovation is finished, you shouldn't have to do much to that room for years.

Bathrooms can be redone much more cheaply, if necessary, but new fixtures are a good investment. Adding new towel racks and painting the walls help give the bathroom new life, and those things cost very little. A simple but sleek tub and shower unit makes the bathroom more enticing and is another good selling point. Plus, your family will love a fresh looking, modern room.

Before beginning a renovation, be certain to carefully budget for each improvement. Make a list of the most important changes that need to be made inside and out and then draw up a timeline. The advantage of beginning this process early is that you can do the renovations over several years instead of rushing to complete these tasks in the months immediately before you put your property up for sale.

If your plans change, and you decide you do not want to sell your home, then all you've done is increase your home's value while making it more enjoyable for you and your family. There is really no downside to renovations as long as you stay within your budget and can tolerate a certain level of upheaval. No change comes without some disruption, but the benefits of thoughtful renovation outweigh the inconvenience.