When it comes to life’s expenses, buying a house is one of the greatest — and remodeling can put an extra pinch in your wallet too. But just like homes, not all upgrades are created equal. Check out these six renovations that will both beautify your home and increase its value.
Garage Door Replacement
Where you put your car(s) may be just as valuable as the cars themselves. According to Zonda’s 2021 Cost vs. Value annual report, a garage door replacement will significantly increase your home’s value, offering the highest ROI of any addition — and for good reason. With this renovation/replacement, your home gets the added perks of energy efficiency, curb appeal, security/safety, and home-style accommodation.
Bathroom Remodel
The bathroom is arguably one of the rooms in your home that’s most frequently visited, by both yourself and your guests. In fact, such heavy foot traffic has allotted bathroom remodels the largest returns when it comes to boosting your home’s value, according to Zillow. Per HGTV, you can expect about a 102% return when you remodel your bathroom. From caulking to replacing your vanity and fixtures, the versatility of what you can do with a bathroom renovation can help you stick to your budget.
Kitchen Remodel
If you’re making renovations and love to cook, or just love to eat, a modern kitchen remodel should be a no-brainer! “The two areas of the home with the most value are the kitchen and bathrooms,” explains Taylor Lynne, a licensed real estate agent with the Sebelhaus Team. “Adding new light fixtures, a neutral color scheme, and sleek appliances will help any seller stand out from the competition.”
This sort of modernization can provide a substantial boost to your home’s value. According to USA Cabinet Store, 80% of consumers prospecting homes would consider a newly-finished kitchen to be a key factor in their decision to buy. So if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, make sure you give extra attention to your kitchen.
Deck, Patio or Porch Addition
Whether you’re cooking burgers or catching some rays, a deck, patio or porch outside your home is useful for many occasions — and it’s also useful for optimizing the value of your home. Regardless of whether you’re installing something new or renovating an existing structure, a new deck, patio or porch will undoubtedly increase your home’s value. But your returns depend on which specific extension you want added to your home. For instance, installing a quality porch over a deck can provide a nearly 25% higher ROI on your home, according to RST Brands.
These additions are so valuable because homeowners can use the final product in multiple ways. These could include an outdoor kitchen, dining area, pool and more — each of which will provide a significant increase to the value of your home.
An outdoor hot tub room built with local natural materials. Note the miniature barn door covering the window opening, echoing the main barn door entrance. Project by Greenbuilders, Inc.
Manufactured Stone Veneer
Replacing your siding with stone veneer can also substantially add to your home’s curbside appeal. According to Zonda, manufactured stone veneer was at its peak value in 2021. In addition to its appealing look, stone veneer’s high worth comes from its many other positive attributes, such as its low installation price and minimal upkeep. This rings especially true when comparing manufactured to authentic stone veneers, with manufactured stone ranging from $5.50 to $10.75 per square foot and natural stone pricing in at up to $48, according to Modernize Home Services.
A Green Remodel
These days, buyers want information about energy expenses, health risks or benefits, and quality of materials in the homes they are considering. While it’s not easy to change these things, it pays to eliminate any obvious negatives. A musty odor in a basement, outdated heating equipment, or windows in poor condition all detract from the appeal of your home, and these things can be remedied.
Thatch is a historic material which grows wild in the Chesapeake Bay as an invasive. Here it’s used for beauty, insulation value, and to shed water providing a snug and secure roof. Project by Greenbuilders, Inc.
More important, when you do make changes in your home, whether it’s a new kitchen or bath, a porch, or an addition, doing it green can pay off if you want to sell.
Your green remodel gives you a story to tell, and the extra care you showed in designing the changes creates a sparkle. “We’ve seen several cases where the green remodel sold the home” says Polly Bart of Greenbuilders, Inc. When a green home remodel includes lovely natural or locally-made materials, good indoor air quality, and comfortable, cost-effective heating and cooling, the value of the home is enhanced.
If you are interested in learning more about green home building, this article from Freddie Mac provides good data about the value of green home improvements.
Article Written By Kerrigan Stern
Photos Provided by Polly Bart, Greenbuilders, Inc.
Architect: Julie Gabrielli
Photographer: Anne Gummerson
The featured photo is of a rain garden with drainage under the stones so stormwater goes into the aquifer and not into the bay.