We get asked all the time - will this project positively affect the resale value of our house? We’ve touched on it before in our blogs, too, because our clients are curious, and we think it’s a very important topic! Upgrading your home can add comfort, accessibility and visual aesthetics to your house - but the RIGHT upgrades can also recoup value if you ever decide to sell! So we’re doing an update blog on what we feel are eight of some important upgrades that can make you more happy living in your house now, and stack up some value!

Replace Your Garage Door

Not a lot of people think of this upgrade right of the bat, and it’s no wonder why. The garage door isn’t something you often think about (unless it isn’t working). It’s outside, usually out of your sight, and serves a functional purpose. However, updating your garage door not only can add a 98.3% return on your project (meaning, if you spend $3,470 on replacing the garage door, you’ll get a return of $3,411 on the value of your house) it can greatly enhance curb appeal. So not only is the garage door almost completely paying for itself, it can help your home to sell easier and be more beautiful while you live there!

Install a Steel Front Door

Another obvious upgrade for curb appeal is your front door. The front of the house is the first thing people see when they pull up. A steel door will enhance your front yard, while making your house more secure and safe. If you have an older front door, it can also help to seal your house up better to help with heating and cooling efficiency and costs. There are a lot of options for steel doors, too. You can get one with decorative glass or metal doorstop, or have it painted to match your house’s trim! The return value of this project is 91.3%, so if you want to have a prettier house while you’re living there and are hoping to grow your home’s worth at the same time, this is an awesome option!

Add Stone Veneer Siding

Do you have dated vinyl siding on your home? Swap it out with manufactured stone veneer and give the exterior a serious upgrade. Stone veneer not only looks better, but it can also help the home better withstand harsh weather conditions and make your property more marketable. With a return of 97.1% when it comes to resale, this project is a great choice!

Add a Wood Deck Out Back

Honestly, there aren’t many things that are more relaxing than hanging out on a beautiful wood deck in your backyard. It’s a great way to unwind from your day and catch up with loved ones. If you’ve been considering having one built, but didn’t want to waste money, there’s good news: that money isn’t a waste at all. 82.8% of costs of building a wood deck are recouped when you sell your house! So you can feel free to have that deck built now so you can enjoy it, and rest assured that you’re getting a great return on it when you sell.

Remodel Your Kitchen

81.1% of kitchen remodel costs are returned at the sale of your house, which is a pretty large chunk of change. So if your kitchen has felt outdated, dimly lit, or if you want to overhaul the layout so it’s more moveable, feel free - you can enjoy a new kitchen and know that it will pay off in the end!

Update Your Bathroom

With a 70% return on bathroom remodel costs, this is a smaller, easier project that can change the feel of your home while you’re living there and add value to your home. Updating old fixtures and cabinets and brightening up can do wonders for your own mood and enjoyment of your home, and can help your home to sell faster and for more money!

If you’ve been considering any of these projects, or if you saw one on this list that you hadn’t thought of but now sounds interesting, rest assured that they’ll make living in your home more enjoyable and give you a return if you ever sell! Overall, they’re relatively safe bets if you’re looking for a home improvement project that will also add value to your resale. Give us a call if you want more details on any of these projects, or if you want to see if they’re doable for you! Building a house? You can work these upgrades into your build, too, for resale value in the end!