I just bought a house, and intend on doing some things that will increase it's appraisal value by the time I am ready to sell it. This way, I can pay the house off and still have enough for a good down payment on a future house. Any suggestions? (i.e. patio, hardwood floors, landscaping...etc)
2007-06-27 02:29:17 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
I have always been told (and the cheapest way) is to paint. Paint the house, trim, rooms, anything that will make it look better. This always makes a house look better, and a good looking house will be worth more.
2007-06-27 02:33:53 · answer #1 · answered by Really ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I'm sure you're aware since you are a home owner, the 2 rooms that cost the most to renovate are the kitchen and the bathroom. These are also the 2 rooms that will give you the best ROI (return on investment). If you can upgrade these 2 rooms, that's where you should start. And you don't have to change everything to make it look good. For instance, you can remove the laminate on the sink counter and replace just the laminate with a newer more modern one. Change the hardware on the drawers and cabinets, change the faucets for more modern ones (keep your eyes open for sales, since you're in no rush). Change the soft flooring for tile, etc.
Windows: good windows will bring you a really good ROI. And aluminum is much better than pvc. Both are better than wood.
Lighting: apart from painting, new lighting brings a really good ROI. It is the second thing that changes the house the most (the 1st being paint). Upgrade the lighting everywhere in the house. The money spent on lighting usually comes back 739%! That's good money to buy a new house.
Keep the house clutter-free. Make sure there is a place for each item in the house. When you show the house to sell, remove ALL personal items (religious artifacts, photos, diplomas, etc.) People need to be able to see themselves living in your home and they can't if all your really personal stuff is lying around.
Yes, hardwood floors are fun and if you have them and they are in bad shape, definitely redo them because buyers will calculate the cost to do it and remove it from their offer price. That being said, if you don't have hardwood floors, you may not want to invest in that because it will only bring you about 39% ROI... which isn't saying much for all the hassle and cost. As long as your floors are clean, well cared for and not an old ugly carpet, you'll sell your house. If you do need to change the carpet, consider laminate flooring.
Paint: yes, definitely go for neutral colors. The reasoning behind this is that neutral colors don't offense most people. If you have a room that is turquoise, that alone (though I think it's silly...) is enough to turn a buyer off. Try and keep the theme monochromatic. Choose a main color and the same family of color but in 3 different shades. Use this throughout the house.
Make certain that ALL doors open ALL the way...
There's a great website that will give you lots of tips... consult it: http://www.homestagingresource.com/
Best of luck to you...!
2007-06-27 10:12:08 · answer #2 · answered by The ReDesign Diva 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kitchens and bathrooms get the biggest pay-off. Install stainless steel appliances and a granite countertop. Tile floors are good. Look at showrooms for the latest ideas in bathrooms.
Paint all rooms in warm neutral colors but not white:soft yellow, light green, taupe, peach. Hardwood floors are more desireable than carpeting. Invest in nice landscaping and keep it trimmed and neat. Paint the shutters and trim in attractive colors that aren't loud or bright: black, tan, grey,cream. The front door can be a bright spot in red or yellow. Plant one or two large pots of flowers near the front door.
2007-06-27 09:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With all due respect to the Diva, I agree with everything she said except the windows.
Wood windows or clad wood windows are the most energy efficient windows you can buy. Aluminum framed windows are the least efficient. The aluminum passes heat in the summer and cold in the winter due to conduction through the frame. Vinyl are between the two but over-sized windows tend to sag. If you have old single pane windows in the home, consider replacing them with modern energy efficient. You will get double the return on investment plus heating/cooling cost reduction.
Lastly, I have bought and sold homes with very little work and made a profit by improving the curbside appeal. The old first opinion adage. Installed sod lawn two weeks before listing the home, painting pickets, trimming hedges, keeping your car washed when advertising your home.
2007-06-27 10:58:42 · answer #4 · answered by Paul C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kitchen and the bathrooms are the two most important rooms in the house, keep these up to date also wood floors will bring in the big bucks.
2007-06-27 09:46:24 · answer #5 · answered by kim t 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever you can afford, but start with cleaning up around the house, doing repairs, painting, and keeping the interior immaculate. If you have a lot of money to invest, consult a contractor and an interior designer.
2007-06-27 09:33:21 · answer #6 · answered by Reo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make repairs as soon as needed.
Don't have too much wallpaper. It's a turnoff to many.
Repaint rooms as needed.
Keep huge trees and bushes next to the house trimmed back.
Have windows and doors in good shape.
2007-06-27 09:46:25 · answer #7 · answered by cowgirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A nice big deck, hardwood floors, new appliances, fresh paint.
2007-06-27 11:27:45 · answer #8 · answered by James Dean 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plant some flowering trees. Do the homework first.
2007-06-27 09:38:08 · answer #9 · answered by liberty11235 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋