Home renovation is one of the best ways to increase the value of the property and it’s certainly something to consider as one of the steps to selling a house. With that said, not all remodels are created equal. Not every project will offer a good return on investment. Before going ahead with any remodel, be sure to consider the cost of the project and how much value it adds to your home on the Minnesota real estate market. Here are 7 remodeling projects that have been shown to increase Minnesota house prices.
- Improve Light and Space
No one wants to live in a dark and cramped area. The main thing that you can do to make your property more appealing is open things up a bit. Let in more light and increase the amount of space in the home. You might even want to knock down a wall or two to really open up space. Having an open floor plan makes homes feel much larger and they are better for entertaining.
Another good idea is a vaulted ceiling. These high ceilings create the illusion that rooms have more space than they do. Skylights let in plenty of natural light to a room too. There are lots of options on hand for increasing the flow of natural light to your home.
- Improve Curb Appeal with Landscaping
The curb appeal of a property is how it looks from the outside and it’s a vital part of how to sell a house. First impressions always matter, and the first impression someone has of the outside of your home will color their opinion of the inside. Great curb appeal can add as much as 5% to the value of your property.
Be sure that any exterior paint jobs are fresh and up to standard. Have a properly paved driveway and maintain any yard space. Consider putting in some plants that can survive a few missed waterings if you don’t have a green thumb.
- Build a Home Office
More and more companies are open to the idea of allowing workers to telecommute and work from home. Now is the best time to sell a house in Minnesota with a home office. If you’ve got the space – such as a spare bedroom – then it might be better served as a home office. It should have a lot of room and there should be data ports, grounded outlets, and – if possible – a phone line. The only difference between a “real” office and a home office is the location. The inside should be just the same.
- Consider Building a Deck
It’s estimated that you can recoup up to 80% of the cost of adding a deck when selling your home. If you are going to install a deck on your property, be sure to take some time to plan it out. Build unique features like a fire pit or a bench – assuming that you are permitted to do so where you live. High-grade materials improve the value and longevity of the deck so invest in quality.
- Finish the Basement
There’s more than one way to make room in your house. You can consider installing a basement or finishing the one you already have. Basements can be turned into bedrooms, bars, media rooms, playrooms, and any other kind of room. Consider installing a bathroom if you do convert the basement for even more bang for your buck. Once again, make sure the space is as open and well-lit as possible. No one wants a dark and cramped basement.
- Update/Add Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms in a home. If the bathrooms are outdated or there just aren’t enough of them it’s going to turn off potential buyers. Improving bathroom fixtures and amenities – or even adding an entirely new bathroom – is a great way to boost the resale value of a property.
- Update the Kitchen
The kitchen is another vital room. Remodeling a kitchen can add a lot of value to a home but you need to be extra careful here. Weigh the costs of the material and remodel against the potential returns. Would you be able to recoup the cost of marble over a cheaper material? Also, update appliances and make small changes, like adding a window over the sink.
There are plenty of things you can do to add some value to your home before selling it. Put together a plan ahead of time and avoid overspending and see what you can do to your home.