What kind of upgrades or additions or work adds the most value to a home?

Question

Going to get my home appraised soon. It's a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom two story house with no basement and a two car garage. I was wondering what kind of upgrades or additions could I to do add the most value to my home. I'm planning on adding central air. Aside from that what will add the most value for the least amount of work or cost.

Answer 1

I know all the TV shows say the Kitchen and Bath. Well I suggest you start with what is called "Curb Appeal". If people don't like the outside look of your home - they aren't coming in to see your new kitchen and bath.

Make the outside clean and neat. Painting if needed, The Front Door and storm door need to be in great shape, also the door k**b,steps.

Windows should all be clean,bushes trimmed,grass fertilized,prune any wayward tree branches. Some plants on the front stoop. Mailbox new or like new. In other words make it look as nice as you can from the street. No kids toys scattered in the yard- no old car your working on sitting apart in the driveway.

Then start in the entryway, kitchen,bath.

A clean house is a must. Depending on the house square footage and bedrooms you may want to add a bathroom. It is well worth the money to have a master bath, another full bath for the remaining bedrooms, and a half bath at the lower level for guests to use.

The kitchen is next. Sometimes just updating the light fixtures, the hardware on the cabinets,flooring,countertops,appliances... paint. And you know replacing the cabinets would be great - but sometimes you don't have that much money.

The house not only needs to be clean - it needs to smell clean. If you have indoor cats,dogs get that smell and hair out of the house.

Be prepared for buyers to start deducting from your asking price if there are things they will obviously need to repair, if there is too much- they won't even bother with an offer.

Your central air is a must - they will already expect it to have that so you are not going to get any return on that expense.

Go through some houses about the same size and costs as your planned listing amount- see what the competition is like.

Pretend your house is going for a job interview - what do you want it to look like?

Answer 2

When you say you are planning to add 'central air', I hope you mean air conditioning and NOT warm air central heating, that is notorious for causing chest infections and chesty coughs as it recycles bacteria pumping hot air around the house, better off going for conventional radiators or underfloor heating depending on size of rooms to be heated (check with proffessional fitters).

As you have a double garage, that would be good scope for adding another bedroom(s), it wouldn't be as cheap an addition as say a conservatory, but always more desirable for future value, whereas a conservatory won't add much value as house prices are going to be more appraised on their practical size rather than luxury features in the future. Well applied budget decorating and paint in the right places to create a blank canvas for proposed buyers (magnolia or pure brilliant white) to create light and airiness will maintain the value of your house, and make the garden as big as you can by ejecting unneccessary stuff from it and again creating more space with plain, simple layouts.

Answer 3

Hard wood floors are always mentioned in any description and I think are always a highlight.  Also, new light fixtures (Lowes has the best selection).

Answer 4

Freshly painted wall and small things like changing the handles and/or the doors on the kitchen cabinets. This should add some value. Also make sure the house smells fresh and is always clean when being viewed.

Answer 5

I love watching those home renovation shows on HG TV, etc. They always talk about upgrading your bathrooms and kitchen as a way of adding instant value to your home. If you have the $$$, go with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, plenty of cabinet space etc. And in the bathroom, a  double sink vanity!!

They also recommend removing all clutter, knick knacks, and anything uneccesary so the space looks bigger (time for a tag sale!). Fresh coats of paint on the walls, or strip down that old wallpaper. And lastly, make sure everything is CLEAN!! No dust, fingerprints, etc.

(Sometimes it is easy to overlook dust/clutter, etc because you are so accustomed to seeing it everyday.  

Answer 6

Updated kitchens and bathrooms and curb appeal.

Answer 7

simple things like painting or wall paper will help.  Also, small things that people look at are k***s or pulls on cabinets and light fixtures.  Add ceiling fans.  These are all cheaper than windows, shingles and paving the driveway.

Answer 8

Buyers are looking for modern kitchens and baths. If yours are 10 years old, it is time to remodel. return on investment for these two rooms is in the 90% range. Neat and clean landscaping also presents a good first impression. The cheapest and (maybe) easiest is fresh paint. Remove clutter in rooms and do not personalize rooms. Rooms with just the basic furniture look larger.