It’s the fundamental question facing anyone who has ever embarked on a home renovation: How likely am I to get the money back when I sell my house?

On average, you can expect a 70% return on investment with home renovation projects. Not only that, but you also have the chance to elevate your quality of life with a refreshed and upgraded living space. When my client approached me about selling their home, we knew that we needed to make some updates to grab the attention of potential buyers in today’s market. So, over the past several months, we teamed up and gave 6008 Glendora Avenue a complete makeover from top to bottom. Our efforts were concentrated on five key areas, and the results have been amazing.

FRESH PAINT

Paint is the easiest, most cost-effective way to increase the value of your home. First impressions are still everything and everyone loves the smell of fresh paint. It implies the home is updated and being taken care of. The first thing someone notices is the color of the home outside and this will dictate if they go inside. White has been the mainstay, but now home buyers are embracing clean and crafted neutrals. The color white in the primary bathroom is staying alive, but sand, cashmere, and cream are the new buzzwords of the paint world. Warm neutrals are the benchmark and cool grays have fallen by the wayside. Painted finishes of blue and green tones are popular for kitchen cabinets and are universally loved colors.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_57264 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -5px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_57264 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; }

REMODEL THE BATHROOM

Self-care is on the rise and the bathroom is center stage for this. They are no longer viewed as a place to bathe but a place to relax and take care of your body. People are spending more time in their bathrooms and love windows in their bathrooms and closets. If possible remove the old oversized tub and replace it with a stand-alone one that can be purchased for around $650 on Wayfair.

 In case you have not noticed primary bathrooms are growing in size. Some are bigger than the bedrooms they sit next to. Square footage is being seized from other areas to incorporate into bigger closets, sitting areas in the bathroom, and larger showers with seating and multiple shower heads. Anything you can do to improve the size and lighting in the primary bath will reap great rewards. Cabinet hardware is easy to change out and gives the effect of being updated. Try a gold-colored handle and change out the mirror to match. Et Voilà! You are officially updated.  

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_131684 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -5px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_131684 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; }

THE KITCHEN WILL SELL THE HOME

People gravitate toward updated kitchens more than any other room in the home, besides where you sleep. Paint can only go so far and where you used to say, “Just paint it all white”, now you are seeing two or three contrasting or complimentary colors. Paint your island a different color to inject a pop of color.

 Don’t forget the backsplash, sometimes a simple switch-a-roo can make all the difference. If you are doing tile stay away from the herringbone look and go with a mirrored tile or be bold and pick an adventurous colorful backsplash. Even adding colorful wallpaper in the back of open shelving can have a high impact. Switching out a backsplash is very affordable and gives the kitchen a clean, new look.  

Light fixtures in a kitchen should always be updated and not distracting. Where we used to rely on recessed cans now island lighting can give the aura of new. 

 “We’re going to see a lot more blending of different finishes in the kitchen: brass, bronze, stainless, nickel, and more. By mixing finishes, you get a visually rich, incredibly inviting look.” said Tiffany Baumgart in Good Housekeeping.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_157783 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -5px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_157783 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; }

HOME FLOORING

Flooring is one of the most important components of the home and refreshing it can add immediate value to your home. If you have various kinds of flooring throughout, see if you can make it all consistent with an open floor concept. And the carpet? Well, it just must go. Wide plank laminate is growing in popularity as a substitute for wood but if you can, wood is still the go-to material preferred by all. 

 Tile is superb these days and bold and bright tiles are being installed everywhere from the laundry room to the Primary bath. With the new large format tiles, you can make a room look larger using solid neutrals to make a stunning update to any bathroom.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_143275 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -5px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_143275 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; }

ROOM LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING

Great lighting can set the scene for the room and the whole house. Lighting is layered and consists of can lighting in the room, to the lamps on the tables, which sets the tone. Glass is everywhere but not just regular glass. It is smoky, metallic, and sculpted now. Switching outdated light fixtures can be relatively inexpensive and easy to do. Install oversized pendants in the kitchen and make a statement in the dining room with a bubble or cluster pendant. Get rid of the Hollywood glass globe lights and anything industrial looking. And so sad, but no more Edison bulbs! It’s time to get to know your favorite number brightness for LED lights. Lightbulbs are even coming to the forefront now with designer-looking exposed bulbs that are too cool to cover up!

View fullsize

View fullsize

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_169590 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -5px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1676143791491_169590 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; }

If you’re planning a home renovation, you might be wondering if you’ll get your money back when you eventually sell your house. The truth is there’s no straightforward answer to this question. A lot of factors come into play, like the type of renovation, the materials you use, and the value of other homes in your neighborhood. However, it’s still good to have an idea of what your upgrades might be worth. If you’re in it for the long haul and just want to make your house a dream home, that’s great! But if you’re looking to sell someday, focus on these five improvements to complete in your home. I am always happy to answer any questions you might have about this process. Contact me by email (Christy.Berry@Compass.com) or by phone (214-693-1600).

Alison JensenFebruary 16, 2023