When renovating your home, it’s important to think about both aesthetics and resale value. There’s no use in building a thousand-dollar, custom-made deck if your return on investment (ROI) will be peanuts when you move! If you’re serious about getting the most out of your home improvements, here are just a few that will add value to your property instead of detract or deflect from it.
1. Automated Systems
“Smart homes” are selling like hotcakes in today’s technology-obsessed economy. Buyers will pay top dollar for things like remote security alarms and voice-activated sprinkler systems. So, if you can plug your home into a wireless network that makes life smarter and more convenient, you’ll definitely see a monetary return.
2. Upgraded Kitchens
According to surveys, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to prospective buyers. They want to see shiny new appliances and spot-free countertops, not rusty faucets and old cracked cabinets. Expect to spend a few hundred dollars whipping your kitchen into shape. If you play your cards right, you’ll get it all back when you sell.
3. Attic Rooms
Attic rooms look good to buyers even if they don’t plan on using them. Why is this, you may ask? It’s because attic rooms usually have plumbing, insulation and other comforts of modern living, which signal that they aren’t just dusty spaces collecting random items. Buyers appreciate this.
4. Luxury Bathrooms
Everyone likes a little luxury when they’re unwinding from a long day’s work. Think about things like bidets, hot tubs, and waterfall showers if you’re looking to increase your bathroom’s value. Make sure these upgrades match the style of your bathroom, and remodel as necessary to ensure the new fixtures do not look out of place in an outdated environment.
5. Additional Closets
You can never go wrong with more storage space. According to experts, the average closet can recoup up to eighty percent of what it costs to install, making it a worthy investment and a relatively simple one to pull off. You don’t need a large-scale renovation project to add a few closets to your home. A good contractor can do it without breaking a sweat.
6. Front Yard Aesthetic
When was the last time you replaced your front door? How often do you change the shutters on your windows? These things have an immense value when it comes to making good first impressions on realtors and buyers. You’ll also want to cut the lawn, trim the shrubs, and pressure wash your driveway. Curb appeal means everything!
7. More Bathrooms
Doesn’t a “two-bedroom, two-bath” just roll off the tongue? Increase your number of bathrooms to increase your overall property value. Even if you don’t have the money to install a full bathroom, a half-bath will give your home prestige and increased worth. Just do what you can afford, and allow yourself to reap the benefits later!
These are just a few home improvements that can add value to your property. Depending on your budget and space, choosing to implement a few of these modifications will increase your resale value and turn a profit. Keep in mind that things change annually, so what’s hot today might not be a big seller next year. You’ll need to stay on top of the trends if you want to maximize your ROI during a real estate sale. 
