With our increased exposure to real estate and new design trends through sources like HGTV or social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, it’s difficult not to look around our own homes and notice how they might seem outdated or less than desirable to anyone else. If you’re up for a project, it might be time to consider a renovation both so you can improve your overall satisfaction with your home and so that it appeals to future buyers if you do decide to sell. Here’s where you should focus your money for the best return on your investment.
Prioritizing Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home is the very first thing people see when they come to visit or when they’re scrolling through listings, so it must give a good first impression. The easiest thing you can do to freshen up your home’s exterior is to give it a good power wash to remove any built-up dirt or mystery stains. If you still aren’t satisfied, then maybe it’s time for a fresh coat of paint. It’s said that your should repaint your home’s exterior every five to ten years. If your home is due for a painting, then this could be your chance to change the entire exterior design. While white paint with dark accents will always be a classic option, new trends are emerging that can make your house look equally as sleek. If you’re feeling daring, then consider opting for a darker color instead, like deep charcoal or navy, and using natural wood or clean shades of white for the accents. This is a simple change that can completely transform your home, making it feel modern and stylish. If you go to apply your paint and realize that the weather in Chester County, Pennsylvania has been causing your old, stucco siding to deteriorate, then your best option would be to invest in stucco remediation to prevent further water damage. While the primary purpose of stucco remediation is to improve the integrity of your siding, it does also give you the option to change the look of your home, since your stucco siding can be replaced with options like wood-style siding or synthetic stone. Either of these options can help to improve the overall design of your home’s exterior and make it more desirable to any future buyers.
Another way to increase your curb appeal is to revamp your landscaping. Adding flowerbeds along the walkways or the front of your house can help to elevate the overall appearance. If you live in the suburbs, you could also plant hedges along the property line between you and your neighbors. This will both add to the design of your property and help provide some extra privacy. You’ll earn bonus points with buyers if you pick something that has seasonal blooms or that is easy to maintain.
The Secret Ingredient is the Kitchen
One of the things that can impact a buyer’s interest in a perspective home is the quality of the kitchen. The kitchen is oftentimes considered to be the heart of the home since it’s something you’ll use every day. You want to make sure you have enough counter space to prep your meals and enough cabinet space to store all of your dishes. A big bonus in any kitchen is if you have a big pantry to store all of your snacks and ingredients. If you feel like your kitchen already has the basic layout that buyers might want, there are still plenty of ways you can make it even more desirable.
Like with the exterior of your house, one of the easiest ways to revamp your kitchen is to change up the color. You could roll a new shade onto your walls, or, if you’re feeling especially daring, you could paint your cabinets to make them feel more sleek and modern. If you’re looking for a bigger project, you could update your backsplash as well. While plain, white subway tiles are always a safe option, taking a risk with a patterned backsplash could be the design choice that helps buyers fall in love with your kitchen.
Another easy way to make your kitchen feel more modern is to update your appliances. A lot of people still have the classic, all-white appliances that gained popularity in the 80s. Now, with sleeker options like stainless steel or black appliances, white appliances are something that should be left behind in the 80s along with big hair and neon legwarmers.
The Power of the Powder Room
Besides the kitchen, home buyers also place a lot of importance on a home’s bathrooms. Most home buyers nowadays will not settle for less than at least two bathrooms. Because of this, it is estimated that adding a second–or even a third–bathroom to your home could increase its value by over 10% if it’s a half-bath and 20% if it’s a full bath. That being said, the quality of the bathrooms is just as important as the quantity. Buyers are likely to pass if your bathrooms, like your kitchen, are still stuck in the 80s. So, be sure to include any of your outdated bathrooms in your home’s remodel.
