When you're considering having some renovations or updates done to your home, you may be thinking how this work would affect the overall resale value of the house, especially if you know you'll eventually put the home on the real estate market. Note a few changes to a home that could increase its value or be appreciated by a wide range of potential homebuyers in the future, and keep these tips in mind when planning your home renovations.
Expand casual entertaining areas
Homeowners today often appreciate casual entertaining areas, as opposed to a formal living or sitting room. Many people even entertain guests right in the kitchen! Expanding these casual entertaining areas, perhaps adding a larger island in the kitchen or removing a wall between the dining room and family room, can often make your home more attractive to homebuyers.
Add surfaces that are easy to clean and maintain
When choosing the surface materials you'll need for a home renovation, consider how easy it is to clean and maintain those materials. You may not mind having to call a professional carpet cleaner every six months to steam clean a delicate silk blend rug, but new homebuyers may not want to go through that hassle and expense! A more durable wool carpet or bamboo flooring may be a better option, and may be appreciated by more potential homebuyers.
In the same way, porous clay tiles on a kitchen benchtop may collect dirt and food debris very easily and may also need professional cleaning on a regular basis, whereas solid granite or a laminate benchtop stays cleaner and needs little maintenance over time. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain the surfaces that will be affected by your renovation, and choose sturdy materials that potential homebuyers will appreciate.
Remove unnecessary showers
It's never good to get rid of bathrooms in a home, as homebuyers often appreciate the convenience of lots of toilets in a house, but some homes may have more showers than necessary! An actual tub or shower enclosure may not be needed in a lavatory right off the living room, family room or in a bathroom in a finished basement. Potential homebuyers may realize that such a shower would rarely, if ever, be used, and may see any shower enclosure as just wasted space in the home. Consider removing unnecessary showers and using that space for storage or to expand a living area, to make the home more functional and more attractive to homebuyers.
