We want to put ~$5k into our townhouse to make it more marketable. Best fixes for improving value 4 that?

Question

We have a townhouse that is in a nice area outside of DC. We want to put some work into it over the next couple of yeras. We know we want new countertops (ours are HORRIBLE), maybe pergo or hardwood on our main level, we'll paint before we move out. Light fixtures? What else?

So, what are the best fixes to improve value of our home without breaking the bank? Best investment for the cost?

Thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

bathroom or kitchen or both

Answer 2

Sorry to tell you but putting in 5K into pergo, countertops and light fixtures will not increase the value of your home. It will make it easier to sell. What will set the price of your home will be the other homes around you and their sales price. You home must be at least in average condition. It sound like you will need to make the improvements to bring it to average condition. There is no place on a appraisal report to give value to light fixtures, countertops, ect. They are just noted in the report. Appraisal is base on conditon, age and effective age, then compaired to similar sf and similar comparables. You could put 50K into kitchen and baths and never get a dime back unless that was the norm for your market and all the other comparables had done the same. Hope this helps

Answer 3

Landscaping can really add to kerb appeal and can be cost effective if you are able to do some of the work yourself. In a townhouse, however, you may be limited to the landscaping you can perform - especially if you're subject to annoying conformity restrictions.
Light fixtures and doors can really add to the interior appeal as can decent switchplates/outlet plates, doorknobs, drawerknobs, hinges, and vent covers.
The kitchen is key as are bathrooms - new tiles and faucets can really add appeal. I would suggest moldings and baseboards be freshly painted (if needed); again, these are things you may be able to do yourself saving expensive labour costs.
Make sure your windows and walkways/patios are clean (a power washer helps).
Lastly, when showing the place, make sure it smells nice (not like paint or food) - fresh lillies really help.

Answer 4

The best places to spend money in the home as far as return on your investment goes is the kitchen and the bathrooms. Those are the two main selling points for many buyers. Also make sure you have good curb appeal to get people in the door.

Answer 5

Kitchens and bathrooms bring in the most money. Granite countertops, pergo floors and stainless appliances. Paint the interior a soft neutral color. Update the bathroom vanity and lights.

Answer 6

Well I know that I look at the neighborhood before I move into a house. What kind of neighborhood do you live in? You don't want a house that looks exactly like your buddy next door. Also look at the paint jobs, lawn work, and door hinges. Those are the main things that seem to be not very "pretty".

Answer 7

you could add some texture to the bathrooms and make them more luxurious, do some modifications in the backyard like placing a cluste of flowes in both corners with a stone or marble barrier, change curtain (remove the old pulling down curtains) and adding more modern designed curtains.

Other than that you could do a couple of tricks with your house on open house such as renting good furniture and making every single room look tidy and functional ( Not having your dining table on the opposite side of the world)

Answer 8

update the bathroom and kitchen. put in all new fixtures in both, make sure they match. cabinetry in the whole house should also match for a cohesive look. hardwood floors and updated fixtures are a must as well. i don't think you'll be able to do a whole lot with that budget. get lots of quotes before you start and be realistic

Answer 9

Fixing up the bathroom gives the most return for the buck. If you can do it yourself, you would save a lot of money on the labor. Maybe be able to fix up 2 bathrooms that way.

In the DC area, porches also add more value than they cost, but one would cost more than $5k.

Answer 10

hey Lauren, the best things you can do is to renovate your kitchen and bath. Kitchen: new counter tops, and cabinets to increase space if not able to then paint and change handle on cabinets and draws to match every thing else, update appliances. In your bath other than painting, if you can change the vanity and sink, toilet and maybe tiles in shower and floors, but both of these are costly, but if you do it your self you can save some of the cost. you can try looking in to purgula flooring, wood is nice, try the bambo look, it is awsome. when the time comes to sell clean every thing take out things that you don't and put nice matching curtains face towels decorative items in both space so it looks elegant and spacious.
Good luck....

Answer 11

Start with curb appeal. That might mean landscaping or window boxes or paint.

Ask a real estate agent to make suggestions.

There's a cable show where buyers are candidly taped making comments as they walk through. Sometimes it's clutter, sometimes you should try neutral paint colors.

Most of the improvements cost 100s, not 1000s.