In a hot seller’s market, it’s not uncommon to wonder which remodel projects will get you the most bang for your buck. If you’re considering putting your house on the market, invest your time and money into improvements that will yield the most value.
We turned to expert real estate agents to find out what are the best rooms to remodel for resale value. Here’s what they said.
Bathrooms
Any kind of bathroom, from the powder room to the primary suite, increases your home’s value. It should be a top contender when you ask what the best rooms to remodel are to increase your home’s value. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, you can plan on about 54-60% ROI when you remodel bathrooms.
Standard Bathroom Remodel
A bathroom remodel can return as much as 60% of your investment. A midrange budget will bring the biggest return. Be sure to update the floor, all fixtures, and the backsplash. A new vanity can change the entire look of the space without you having to tear out any walls. Top it off with on-trend faucets and you’ll cement your home in the minds of buyers.
Adding a few perks to the bathroom increases buyer interest. Smart mirrors, rain shower heads, and jetted tubs make excellent additions. You could also consider converting your bathroom design to a universal/accessible layout (yields a 57% ROI). This makes your bathroom attractive to seniors who want to age in place, families with wheelchair accessibility needs, and anyone who appreciates a more modern wetroom type design.
Primary Suite Remodel
Suites are big sellers. Any bedroom with a bathroom attached can increase the selling price of your home, but the primary suite does so to the tune of a 54% return. Big sellers for the primary bath include walk-in closets, freestanding tubs and separate showers, and spa-like design.
The primary suite can always benefit from some luxury. Put some extra attention on lighting to make the space feel special. Add a shower with body sprays. Splurge on a chromatherapy tub. Or forget the tub altogether and create more of a wetroom design with double showerheads.
Front Door
Changing out your front door is one of the most cost effective ways to get a boost in your home’s value. It returns up to 65% on your investment. To get the most out of this update, get a 20 gauge steel door and update the jambs, stops, threshold, and locks as well.
If you feel so inclined, you can widen your front door and add a sidelight or two. Half or full glass adds some curb appeal that makes your home memorable to prospective buyers and could give the price a boost too.
Kitchen Remodel
The kitchen is often at the top of prospective buyers’ wish lists. It’s another top contender for the best rooms to remodel for resale value. Buyers want something that’s ready to roll and doesn’t need any updating.
A mid-range renovation brings up to a 72% return. Today’s families appreciate open format living spaces with one great room for the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Some could even skip the dining room if the kitchen has good eat-in functionality.
Hit the big three when updating the kitchen: floor, cabinets, and countertops for the biggest return. Look for high-quality perks like soft close doors and drawers, stone or concrete countertops, and a statement-making backsplash that’s neutral enough to welcome any style but still draws attention.
Outdoor Improvements
With the staycation at an all time high, livable outdoor spaces are in high demand. Upgrades don’t have to be big or expensive to increase the value of your home and give you a return (up to 92%). Patios, pools, decks, and outdoor kitchens are always a hit, but even some simple landscaping and seating will do the trick.
Improvements to the outside of the house gives a boost to your curb appeal and makes a great first impression. Siding, window, and roofing replacement all bring up to 69% return on your investment. Manufactured stone veneer brings a whopping 92% return.
Garage Door
The garage door, like the front door, is another high yield investment that’s fairly easy and cost-effective to do. It has a 93% return on investment plus adds to that curb appeal that buyers love.
Garage doors with some detail are the best investment. Carriage house style is popular or something with small windows across the top of the door. This is mostly a cosmetic improvement so if your motor is in good shape, you can keep the old one.
Make your investments work for you by choosing the projects that bring the best returns. When you prioritize your dollars into the best rooms to remodel for giving your home’s value a boost, you’ll soon have prospective buyers rolling in.
Want more remodeling ideas? Check out these.
