Home Remodeling Projects

Real Estate Markets • Remodeling For Resale • The Real Estate "Location" Factor

Real Estate Broker Locator

Simply sprucing up your house makes a huge difference when it comes time to sell — a fresh coat of paint, clean carpets, and weed-free planting beds can make a world of difference.  For bigger projects, focus on your kitchen and bathroom first.  You will generally recover about 80% of the cost of a kitchen remodel and 90% of what you spend for a bathroom renovation.

The most popular minor improvements in the kitchen include adding extra sinks and cooking stations as well as cosmetic improvements such as under-cabinet lighting and new countertops and backsplashes.  Granite and marble are very popular and durable countertop choices.  Popular renovations in bathrooms include skylights, whirlpool tubs, large walk-in showers, glass block windows, and vaulted ceilings.

Cosmetic renovations that also return up to 70-80% of your investment include new siding and windows.  Contractors.com can help you estimate the cost of siding or new windows with their online estimators.

What renovations don't pay for themselves at resale time?  Well, that partly depends on your part of the country.  For example, homeowners in the sunny south often recover up to 95% of the cost of a new sunroom, while homeowners in the north recover far less.  One addition that rarely pays for itself is a swimming pool.  If you want to do these types of renovations for yourself, go ahead — but don't expect them to raise the value of your house.

As you update your house, keep the overall neighborhood in mind.  Most buyers look for a house that's surrounded by homes of equal or greater value.  Choose your updates carefully so you stay within your neighborhood's average price range.  Do you want to know what homes in your neighborhood are worth?  Type an address on Yahoo Real Estate for a quick estimate.

If you plan to renovate or repair your home before putting it on the market, it is important to select your home remodeling contractor carefully.  Use a qualified contractor and get the job done right!  For more information about choosing the best remodeling projects for resale, see the 2004 survey by Remodeling magazine and the 2010-2011 Cost vs. Value Report that compare the cost of construction to the likely return on investment (ROI) at resale.

Cost Effective Home Remodeling Projects