What upgrades should you always do?
If you are buying or even selling a home and you have the chance to do some upgrades, which ones should you spend the time doing? There are a lot of great upgrades that you can do to a house to increase its value. So what upgrades should you always do? Here are a list of upgrades that you should definitely always do to increase the value of your home.
Hardwood floors
- When you replace existing carpeting, laminate or resilient flooring with hardwood, that is a good investment. Most home buyers are attracted to wood floors because of how beautiful and how warm they make the room feel. There are also many practical reasons why you should upgrade to hardwood floors:
- they are easy to clean and to maintain
- they can be sanded down and refinished
- they make for a healthier indoor living environment
- houses with hardwood floors are easier to sell
- homes with hardwood floors sell faster
- they sell for more money
- most agents have said that homes with hardwood floors sell for over 10% more than homes without
Carpet
It's almost always recommend to upgrade the carpet and the carpet padding. This alone can increase the value of a home. The original carpet that is put in, generally wears very quickly and is of low quality. It shows stains and can get matted down and tends to look old very quickly. If the house was previously owned, then it is always nice to start with something brand new and free of the previous owner's dog hair, cigarette smoke, stains, dust, and so on. New carpet just always makes a house look better and cleaner, and it is an easy and relatively inexpensive update.
Update kitchens
A minor kitchen remodel will pay dividends at resale. Here are some things to update in the kitchen:
reface the cabinets with new doors and drawers
replace the appliances with good quality, energy-efficient models
update the flooring and countertops (granite countertops are in high demand for home buyers)
paint walls and get rid of no wallpaper
Landscaping
Landscaping makes lasting first impressions on your home. Even if you don't love to garden, at least get out into your yard and pick weeds and make space for some pretty flowering plants with all kinds of heights and colors. Fountains make for a nice calming feel to your home as well. Trim the walk way with small lighting and colorful plants that lead up to larger plants at the door. This is very inviting to someone who is visiting your home.
New windows
Replacing your windows may seem like a pain, but it will increase the value of your home. New windows are so important because if you don't have the proper windows to match the climate you're in, then this can greatly damage your home. If the climate you live in is cold, then you will need windows that will keep your home warmer and be more energy efficient. If you live in a hot place, then you will need windows that protect your home against the sun and heat. Replacing windows to match the climate you are in will keep the energy bills down and more affordable.
New paint
New paint is such a simple thing that you can do to upgrade your home. Make sure to choose colors that are neutral and rich if you are looking to sell your home. Make sure to use earth tone colors, that will ensure that it will match with any lifestyle and it will never go out of style. You can even add some trim to make a room more classy. Make sure to remove all wallpaper and keep it simple and elegant.
In following these suggestions in what upgrades you should always do will ensure you get the most for your buck. If you can't afford to do all the upgrades, choose the ones that are the cheapest. Any upgrades will greatly enhance the value of your home. Upgrade your home today, you will be so glad that you did!
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