Improve Your Home, Improve Your Price
The National Association of Realtors has listed the most popular interior home improvements that have buyers willing to pay thousands of dollars extra to obtain in a home they’re buying. Noted in the latest issue of Remodeling Magazine, some of the results were expected, but others might be a bit surprising. If you’re pondering your own remodeling projects, consider a few of these:
Fireplaces – 40 percent of home buyers were willing to pay up to $1,400 more to get a fireplace in a new home. The NAR speculates that where once the big screen television took centre stage in the living area, the proliferation of tablets and portable devices today has seen the trend come full-circle. If you’re considering remodeling your family room, keep in mind that a cozy spot in front of the fireplace to use your electronic tablet can add value to your home.
Eat-in-kitchen and kitchen island – Not surprisingly, kitchen features are also among the top home improvements for home buyers. The kitchen that includes an eating area and an island is both functional and attractive. Meals have become less formal and more convenient, and these elements lend themselves to our busy lifestyles. They allow families and friends to be together in a large living space, often extending into a great room. The space gives the family the ability to cook and socialize and generally multi-task together.
Stainless steel appliances or new appliances – More kitchen features took top spots in this survey than any other category. The kitchen remains the heart of the home, and new appliances are a big selling point, not to mention a great remodeling investment.
Look for more home remodeling improvements that will garner more money at resale in our next post. For now, think about the next remodeling project that will garner a little extra attention from home buyers.
