your front door or as complicated (and expensive!) as remodeling a kitchen or repairing a bathroom. The million-dollar question is, which home improvements give the best return on the remodeling dollar? Here’s an example. Suppose your home is valued around $1.8 million, and you’re considering an $85,000 kitchen remodel before selling. It’s tempting to assume that kind of investment will increase your home’s value dollar for dollar—but that’s rarely how the market works. While an updated kitchen can make your home more appealing and help it sell faster, the return is often closer to 50–70% of the cost, not 100%. In many cases, strategic improvements—such as updating fixtures, refreshing cabinetry, improving lighting, or modernizing finishes—deliver a stronger return than a full-scale renovation done solely to sell. That said, critical repairs should never be skipped. Issues like a failing roof, aging electrical systems, or plumbing problems, can significantly hurt value if left unaddressed.
MECHANICAL MAINTEN CAL MAINTENANCE
Before thinking about any home improvements that will add value and give you the ROI you’re seeking, you need to start with the basics. Mechanical maintenance is a must! Sure, it’s tempting to get caught up in the upgrades that are fun to do and pleasing to the eye, but your house needs to function properly before you start working on aesthetics. People want to purchase a home that reflects their aesthetic tastes and lifestyles, but also one that is safe and sound. Your home should meet the basic expectations of any buyer. This includes, at a minimum:
• a solid roof • a crack-free foundation
75
Powered by FlippingBook