When you’re thinking of undertaking your next home remodeling project, you probably envision a chef’s kitchen with sparkling new counter tops or a shiny new double soaking tub. Now before you get too excited picking out tiles and back-splashes, take a minute to really evaluate your home’s condition and how you want your home’s value impacted.
INVESTING IN GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Before you start any home remodel project, first consider how well-maintained your home is. Unfortunately a big brand-spanking-new kitchen won’t be able to distract potential homebuyers from a leaking roof or dilapidated siding. Home improvement, realtors, and brokers agree that your initial remodeling investment goes to keeping your house in tip-top shape. Here are a few great examples of places to invest in:
- New siding
- New furnace
- Roof replacement
- New windows and exterior doors
- Septic system replacement
- New wiring and electrical
- Plumbing repair
MAKING YOUR REMODEL GO FURTHER
Once the boring, basic care projects are out of the way you can focus on the fun stuff, the remodel that will make neighbors and shoppers gasp. We recommend finding the room that is the most out-of-date and starting there. Old, outdated rooms can distract and pull away focus from the rest of the home. The big hot-spots for remodels tend to be the kitchen and the bathroom. But there are some other key areas to think about to really up your home’s value:
- Kitchen – Keep the appliances green and the colors neutral. As with all remodeling projects, emulate the style and flow of the rest of the house. Quartz counters and glass tile back-splashes make a big impact.
- Bathroom – Add show-stopping light fixtures and small elements that tie in the room like a versatile shower head and matching accessories. As with the kitchen, new bathroom products should be energy efficient.
- Hidden Spaces or Clunky Walls – Reworking a floor plan is a great way to transform a home and get the most out of disjointed spaces. Taking out a wall between a kitchen and a formal dining room or living room brings in more light, makes rooms more casual and versatile, and can help maximize a room’s use.
Adding an Outdoor Living Area – Putting in a new deck, patio, or porch is a phenomena way to add living space to your house. Especially in states that are warm yer round, like Florida, most residents want to be able to enjoy the seasons and spread their daily activities to the outdoors.
HIRING THE PROS
As with anything home-related, never hire just any contractor to work on your home. To get started on your next value-bumping project in Sarasota, Siesta Key, West of the Trail, and more, call Markley Construction.
