Many homeowners understand the value of bedrooms and bathrooms, and especially how they contribute to a home’s value. However, other home renovations can add value to your home, and some may be even cheaper to complete. This guide covers a few of the most surprising renovations that can increase your home’s value.
Exterior Siding
A home’s exterior siding offers much more than style. Siding is important for protecting your house from the elements. It helps prevent water damage and keeps your home’s heating and cooling working efficiently. Upgrading your home’s siding can result in a higher value, as well as lower HVAC costs.
Exterior Doors
Your home’s exterior doors may be more important to your home’s value than you think. Not only are exterior doors important for style and functionality, but also for safety. Your garage door keeps your garage items securely stored. Your shed doors prevent building damage.
The great news about exterior doors is that they offer a good return on investment (ROI). For example, the average cost of a new garage door is around $4,500. Yet, a brand-new garage door can increase a home’s value by as much as $8,750, giving it a high ROI.
Homeowners can get a similar return on value with other exterior doors, including replacement shed doors. Replacement shed doors increase curb appeal and encourage buyers to offer a higher price.
Garage
Homes with garages sell for more than those without. So, before renovating the nursery, consider the cost and the potential increase in value for adding a garage. Remodeling an existing one-car garage into a two-car garage can also be a project with a significant ROI. A garage with an automatic door and heat or cool ducts can lead to a higher ROI.
Landscaping
Landscaping can also be valuable to resale value. The first benefit of landscaping is curb appeal, with the potential to make your home stand out amongst others for sale. Landscaping also provides many practical benefits, including pest control, safety, and security. Some carefully placed landscaping projects can even offer more efficient heating and cooling.
Of course, to benefit from a good landscaping ROI, it’s important to have a strategy. Simply placing trees, flowers, or shrubs anywhere may not result in the cost savings you desire. It’s usually best to work with a professional landscaping company.
It can also be helpful to consider the parts of your home that need improvement. For example, if you live on a busy road, you may want to include large, full trees in your landscaping design to block out the noises.
Regular lawn maintenance is also important to resale value. Even taking the time to fertilize and nourish your lawn can help your home sell faster and for a higher price.
Outdoor Entertainment
Outdoor entertainment spaces aren’t just a nice-to-have addition. They can also make your home more appealing to buyers, thus increasing its value. Having a deck or patio with outdoor furniture can be a huge appeal to buyers. Professional landscaping paired with other outdoor extras, such as a built-in firepit or outdoor kitchen, can increase your home’s value.
Garage Storage and Organization
If you’re looking for a cost-effective home project that increases its value, garage storage with organization may be it. Today’s home buyers are looking for more storage, especially in places like the basement or garage. Wall and ceiling storage maximizes garage space while still allowing homeowners to store their vehicles in it. Electrical or workstations in the garage can also be a huge draw for some buyers.
Durable Fencing
A large percentage of homeowners prefer fencing, as it helps keep pets and children safe. However, some fences add more value than others. Fences built with sturdy, durable materials offer the most return. Fences that combine durability with style, like cedar rail farm fences, offer the best return on investment. These fences also require minimal maintenance, making them a popular decision by homeowners.
You might consider adding a new fence. If you already have a fence, give it a fresh coat of paint and make any necessary repairs. Even small holes or imperfections can result in a lower sale price.
Appliance Upgrades
You don’t have to complete a full kitchen renovation to increase your home’s value. Instead, consider replacing the appliances. Matching, efficient appliances can increase your home’s value without going through the extra work of a full makeover. Replace the stove, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer for the best return.
Window Replacement
Buyers don’t often ask how old windows are, but they will usually notice new ones. Additionally, windows offer increased security and better HVAC costs. Consider replacing your home’s windows with more energy-efficient options.
Adding another bedroom or bathroom to your home will increase its value. However, this may not be in the budget for every homeowner. Other projects, including a new fence or exterior door replacement, can also result in a higher ROI. As with any home project, be sure to compare the initial investment with the potential ROI.