Question: If you are planning to sell your property, which renovations will increase the value of your house the most?
Answer: Assuming the house has no major weaknesses, remodeling the kitchen or bathroom is usually a good bet.
Making improvements in a home can boost the selling price of the property substantially beyond the cost of the renovation, and even mean the difference in whether or not the house sells at all. When contemplating an upgrade, a homeowner is wise to consider renovations which are not only needed, but will enhance the value -- and selling appearance -- of the home the most.
Evaluate the home from the buyer's point of view. An experienced Realtor will be able to offer an objective view, and will also know what buyers are looking -- and asking -- for. Renovations accomplish one of two things: they improve or update the condition of the home, or they actually add features to it (a small renovation might be a skylight; a larger one - an extra bedroom and bath.) Before embarking on any ambitious project, sellers should first confirm that their money wouldn't be better spent with more basic work, like replacing drafty old windows, adding insulation, or installing an attic fan.
Assuming the house is otherwise appealing, modernizing the kitchen is usually a worthwhile investment. Not only is it the "heart" of the home, the kitchen is also the main workplace, where modern convenience is expected. Buyers are attracted to a bright, cheerful, convenient kitchen. This means as a minimum, floors and counters and should be in good condition; cabinetry should be freshly painted or natural; appliances should look good and operate well; window coverings should be tasteful and feature light paint; and there should be lots of sunlight or at least pleasant artificial lighting. Cabinet space, also an important feature in a kitchen, can be maximized by inexpensive organizing and space-saving devices that are available. For older kitchens, replacement of countertops, floors, cabinet doors or appliances can freshen the look and improve the utility of the kitchen, without disturbing the character of the room -- and with less expense than a complete rebuild.
Bathrooms are another good candidate for refurbishment. Buyers are fussy about cleanliness, and a sparkling clean, looking like new bathroom is an excellent sales feature. And bathroom renovations are not as expensive as you might think, even for a complete remodeling.
"Real Service in Real Estate." For a personal consultation on buying or selling real estate, Janis Peterson, GRI, Realtor® can be reached at (610) 642-3744, e-mail: jp4re@pahomes.com. Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors® is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
