Friday, February 13, 2015

Home Upgrade Trends: Increasing Value (Part 2)

Spend the money now to invest in your home.  The value that you create now will increase in time. Even if you don’t plan to sell your home soon, you will enjoy the upgrades that are made and in turn will add value to your own life.  Use these 15 tips to increase the value of your home and enjoy the process.

8.) State of art audio and sound: Consider adding surround sound systems in your living areas as well as master bedroom area for a notch above your competition.  If you are selling electronics with your home, plasma and flat screen televisions are a plus and media rooms are now becoming well sought after. Add seating areas for multiple screen viewing and add theater sound if considering a media room. These upgrades will be an amenity that adds value and buyer appeal.
9.) Eco-friendly homes bring in a higher value: In this green modern age, eco conscious upgrades have a big return on investment. From water saving plumbing fixtures to tankless hot water heaters, investing in the earth can add value to your home.  Choose rapidly renewable resources for finishes like bamboo flooring and opt for systems that save on energy costs.  Regardless of the method, green living upgrades are always worth the investment.
10.) A fully usable garage is an asset: A garage can add usable storage space for the home buyer as well as dry, clean area for parking cars. All homes don’t have garages and therefore can add value on to your home. If your home is on the market, spend time cleaning and organizing your garage so it can be shown.  Install garage wall or ceiling organizing shelves to fully take advantage of vertical storage and space.
11.) Invest in curb appeal: To be able to meet the demands of the average home buyer you will need to create curb appeal. A well manicured lawn, trimmed landscaping and clean drive and sidewalks will help bring greater buyer appeal, and in turn will add value on to your home.  Keep your flower beds free of weeds and full of thriving and colorful plants.  Nothing says ‘buy me’ like a front yard that has quality upkeep behind it.

12.) Have fully functioning irrigation system: The more ways you can add convenience of time and energy to a home buyer, the greater appeal is created for your home.  An irrigation system that works properly and covers the full yard can add value.  Consider having a maintenance check by an irrigation professional that can service and recommend the proper maintenance of your irrigation system.
13.) The more closets the better: At the top of buyers’ lists is always storage.  The more you can provide the more value you add on to your home price.  Make sure closets are fully functioning and are not being used to hold so many belongings that a home buyer can’t see how much space the closet offers.  When choosing how to upgrade your home, storage is one of the easiest and often overlooked suggestions.
14.) A quality roof is a plus: The roof of your home protects and beautifies the structure beneath.  A quality roof will add value to your home and reduce the risk of damage in the near future.  For roofs older than 15 years, consider having a roofer inspect and possibly replace. Upgrade from asphalt shingles to clay tiles, copper, slate or standing metal seam to add durability and value.
15.) Windows are for more than viewing: Your windows are the source for your light, but also the source for conditioned air gain and loss.  Upgrade to windows with higher R values to resist heat and cold transfer from the outdoors. Double paned windows, windows with integral window treatments and insulated varieties all equate to saving energy and therefore will add more value to your home.

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