If your retirement plans include eventually moving out of your current home, then obviously you’re going to want to make sure you get the best price possible when you finally come to sell. While there are a lot of go-to home improvement projects people talk about, some of these are going to offer much better returns than others. Here are three which typically wind up paying off…
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Kitchen Remodeling
The kitchen, as they say, is the heart of the home. With this in mind, a kitchen remodeling is something that should certainly make your list. As long as you don’t go overboard, rendering the kitchen fancier than the rest of the house, or even the whole neighborhood, you can expect to recoup 60% at the very least for a good kitchen makeover. Unless you’re living in a brand new housing development, it’s generally a good idea to stay away from “deluxe” kitchens when you’re planning to sell. Homes in older neighborhoods carry a certain rustic charm to them. You may be sick of this, but it could well be a priority for the people who will come to view your home. An ultra-modern kitchen can clash majorly with the rest of the home, and be a massive turn-off to prospective buyers. This Old House provides a great guide for kitchen renovations.
Energy Efficiency
These days, a large proportion of home buyers put a lot of emphasis on how eco-friendly a home is. Even if a buyer doesn’t care all that much about the environment, they won’t complain about being able to pay lower energy bills! If your HVAC system has been less than first-rate for some time now, Ken Starr of Home Comfort USA provides AC and Heating Services. Replacing one of the big heating or cooling elements in your home can make the whole building more energy efficient, attracting buyers and saving you money in the meantime. Old, single-glazing windows can also be a massive turnoff to modern buyers, so consider replacing yours with more energy-efficient windows. This gives you access to a green tax credit as well! If your home lacks basic insulation, or it’s been worn down over the years, then replacing this can also prove to be a great investment.
Another Bathroom
If your home currently has one bathroom, then adding another one can be a very wise investment. You may think that you don’t have the room for this, but take the time to think about any underused spaces or rooms. Many people have closet spaces and areas under their stairs that have ample room for a toilet and a sink. Obviously, just like any big project, the cost of adding a bathroom to your home is going to depend heavily on the kinds of additions and accessories that you’re planning to have here, and how much it’s all going to cost. You can save a small fortune simply by keeping an eye on the Home Depot website. They slash prices on bathroom pieces more often than you’d believe!
