5 Home Improvements that Add Value
With experts predicting that a healthy home market will continue well past 2022, many homeowners are wondering if it’s time for some home improvements in preparation to sell.
You want to make sure that any improvements will ensure a boost to your home’s value so you don’t waste your time or money. What are the best projects that will bring a positive return on investment? We talked to experienced real estate professionals to find out what resonates with homebuyers and what’s sure to increase your home’s value.
Kitchen Remodels
As of this writing, a kitchen remodel can bring a return of 55-75%. Under the right conditions, a remodeled kitchen could potentially drive your home value up even more if multiple buyers get in a bidding war over your dreamy kitchen.
The kitchen is the heavy hitter when it comes to what prospective homebuyers want. Most of those buyers aren’t looking for a fixer upper so they want kitchens that have had recent refreshes. They want kitchens that are primarily functional and blend into the living spaces. They have little interest in formal spaces like the dining room and would rather have eat-in kitchens.
Think of the big three for your kitchen update: cabinets, floors, and countertops. These are the framework that the rest of the kitchen rests upon. A refresh on the big items always returns well. New energy efficient appliances are a must as well. Adding “smart” elements is also a good move for the Genexers who make up the majority of the buyers today.
One excellent, trend-forward option for the kitchen is concrete countertops. Considered a stone countertop, concrete stands the test of time both for durability and style. The smooth, neutral color and non-busy look creates a cozy warmth that welcomes the family in Hygge or Wabi Sabi fashion.
Consider adding an island countertop in a different color to make your new kitchen stand out to buyers. Trueform can reproduce any Benjamin Moore paint color in concrete so you can choose something different yet dignified to take the kitchen design to the next level, like Polo Blue, Mopboard Black, or Herb Garden.
Outdoor Oasis
More people are celebrating right in their own backyards, literally. With staycations on the rise and home entertaining booming, a ready-to-go backyard space sets homes apart in the market. Patios, pools, pizza ovens, outdoor kitchens are the stuff of which bidding wars are made.
Concrete is the ideal material for outdoor settings. Trueform treats all outdoor objects, from tables to decor, with a special sealant that protects it from UV rays and keeps it looking like new. Consider a dining table, incidental tables, countertops, sinks, benches, even a decorative water fountain in concrete for a modern look that’s still inviting.
Additionally, improvements to the outside of your home bring a big investment too (up to 92%). Stone veneer, siding replacement, updating windows, replacing the roof, and front door refresh all make for excellent investments.
Fireplace Upgrade
To realtors, a fireplace is gold. Staging a home before showing it is one of the most important things a real estate agent can do to get the best price and fireplaces make staging easy. That translates directly to what bidders are willing to offer.
Fireplaces are relatively inexpensive updates that pack a punch visually as well as when it comes to boosting your home’s price. Whether indoor or outdoor (or both) concrete is the way to go for fireplaces. Trueform’s simple yet stunning fireplace surrounds can be added to an existing fireplace or can be combined with an electric fireplace for a quick and easy living room refresh.
Select the color you want for any of our classic fireplace designs. You can also choose from different variations to suit different layouts of fireplaces: tall, square, linear, or small. Add a cap (shelf) to the top of any fireplace surround for a finishing touch that draws buyers in.
Bathroom Refresh
Midrange budget bathroom remodels can return up to 60%. That makes the powder room the perfect specimen for a refresh. In the powder room the vanity or sink is the central feature. In this smaller space, keep things simple and elegant and you’ll have a bathroom that will wow potential buyers.
A concrete floating sink, or wall mounted sink, is a great option because it doesn’t have the boxiness of a vanity. A simple concrete pedestal sink is another good direction to take the powder room. Both these pieces are modern and make a statement yet are not overbearing in the powder room. The neutral colors of concrete allow for more drama in the design.
If you want a more traditional look in the powder room, go for a rectangle concrete sink atop a frame with a shelf. It adds the look of a vanity but in the most minimal of ways.
Garage Door Update
Amazingly, the replacement of the garage door yields a 93% return on investment. It’s another affordable way to get some bang for your investment dollars. This is mostly a cosmetic update so you can save some money by reusing the motor (if it’s in good condition).
Try the stylish carriage house type garage door or one with windows at the top of the door. Your goal here should be to make the door look less like a garage and more like an outdoor feature of the home.
Ready to give your home’s value a boost? Try some of these home improvements that add value to attract buyers and get the best price.
Want to see what else concrete can do for your home? See some of our favorite concrete installations.