Best Home Renovations to Increase Resale Value

At Cameron Construction, we’ve got a handle on what keeps homeowners up at night – which renovations will actually pay off? Yeah… that’s the billion-dollar question.

The top-notch home renovations (the kind that make buyers drool) can give your property a serious facelift and jack up that market price.

Stick around as we dive into the primo upgrades that always seem to hit the jackpot, giving you the lowdown you need to make those smart calls on your next home project adventure.

Kitchen Makeovers That Boost Home Value

High-Tech Heart of the Home

So, you’re thinking about sprucing up the kitchen, huh? Let’s talk appliances-the shiny bits that do wonders, or at least are supposed to. Those high-tech, energy-efficient marvels (smart fridges, induction cooktops, multi-function ovens) won’t just make your life easier; they’ll also reel in the tech-loving crowd. Not to mention, appliances can suck up around 30% of your home’s energy. Choose right, and watch the savings roll in. Appliances can account for around 30% of home energy use, so choosing the most energy-efficient appliance can bring big savings.

Open Concepts for Bigger Returns

Want to see those sale numbers jump? Get rid of those pesky walls. Open-concept kitchens are the darlings of the real estate world right now. Buyers are all about those flowy spaces where the kitchen, dining, and sometimes even the living room, all sing kumbaya together. Ditching a non-load-bearing wall (think a cool $2,000 or so) could really pump up your home’s value. Open floorplans have been in high demand in recent years, with buyers showing preferences for open kitchens and dining areas tucked into great rooms.

Smart Storage Solutions

Show me a home and I’ll show you the storage problem. Clever storage-things like pull-out pantries, deep drawers, ceiling-high cabinets-now that’s what makes people drool. Want a kitchen island that does double duty? Yup, with built-in storage and places to park your rear, it becomes the centerpiece. Even Remodeling Magazine says those smart remodels focusing on storage can get you nearly 81% back on the resale. Cha-ching!

Illuminating Design

Ever walked into a kitchen and thought you were in a dungeon? Lighting, folks. It matters. You want to layer it up like a seven-layer dip with task, ambient, and accent lights to really make the place pop. Throw in some under-cabinet LED strips, pendant lights, and-you know what-dimmer switches (because sometimes you need ‘mood lighting’) and you’ve got yourself one appealing package for future buyers.

Timeless Design with Modern Touches

Trendy is good-timeless with a sprinkle of trendy is better. Stick to the classics on the big stuff-cabinets, countertops-and add in little pops of ‘now’ with accents you can change once you’re over it. Go neutral, get personal. It’s a win for you now and a score for that savvy buyer later on.

Thinking of bringing this magic touch to another part of the house? Stay tuned, because bathroom blitz is where resale values start to rally.

Bathroom Bliss Boosts Home Value

Bathrooms sell homes. A well-executed bathroom renovation can significantly increase a property’s resale value. Let’s dive into what makes a bathroom renovation worth its weight in gold.

Shower Power

Everyone’s raving about walk-in showers, but hold your horses – homes with at least one bathtub still draw a crowd. Master bathrooms, though… they’re screaming for luxury shower setups. A frameless glass shower enclosure? Jackpot. Looks like a million bucks and makes your space feel like one, too.

Water Wisdom

Think of water-saving fixtures as a love letter to both Mother Earth and your bank account. Low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads? They’re shaving down your water usage – aka utility bills drop, buyers flock. Plus, rebates for these fixtures? Cha-ching! Every little bit adds value.

Light It Up

Here’s the thing – poor lighting? Total buzzkill, even for fancy bathrooms. But layered lighting? Magic. Start with ambient lighting for the general mood, throw in some task lighting around the mirror for those close-up grooming sessions, and wrap it all up with accent lighting for the wow-factor. Natural light’s a game changer, too; pop in a skylight or bigger window, and voila, your bathroom goes from drab to fab.

And oh, let’s not ignore ventilation. Often the unsung hero – crucial to avoid mold and mildew taking over. Remember, a good exhaust fan? It gets the air turned over 8 times an hour. For your standard 100-square-foot bathroom, you’re looking at a fan with at least 80 CFM (cubic feet per minute). Not optional, folks.

Accessibility Sells

Universal design – it’s for everyone, not just grandma and grandpa. Grab bars, curbless showers, comfort-height toilets? A bathroom that’s friendly to users of all ages. Plus, stylish fixtures that multitask – grab bars doubling as towel racks? That’s not just practical; it’s a future-proof way to keep your home market-ready.

Now that we’ve got the bathroom vibe down, let’s mosey outside and see how sprucing up those outdoor spaces can dial up your home’s usable square footage and, yep, its value, too.

Outdoor Living Spaces That Sell

Decks and Patios: Expand Your Living Area

A well-maintained garden, lush greenery, and appealing outdoor living spaces … that’s the secret sauce to boost home appeal and value.

Here’s the thing-a deck or patio is like getting a bonus room without the sticker shock of indoor construction. Yep, the National Association of Realtors says a new wood deck can get you back about 80% of its cost when you sell. Composite decking? Sure, it’s pricier upfront but hey, less maintenance and it sticks around for up to 25 years.

Patios? Go for stamped concrete or pavers-they’re tough, low-maintenance, and can fake the look of pricier stuff. A 12×16 foot concrete patio costing between $2,000 to $4,000? That’s value right there, my friend.

Outdoor Kitchens: Entertain in Style

Outdoor kitchens are having a moment, especially where it’s warm (hello, endless summer vibes). Start with the basics-a built-in grill, a small fridge, and some countertop action-for about $5,000. Think you want more? Get a pizza oven, a wet bar, sky’s the limit-heck, hit $50,000 if you’re feeling fancy.

Might not get every penny back on a swanky outdoor kitchen, but it sure becomes a headliner. An outdoor kitchen? A major drawing card, bumping up both the home’s price tag and its magnetism for would-be buyers.

Landscaping: Create Curb Appeal

First impressions-a big deal in real estate (it’s not just about good bones). Michigan State University found that a well-landscaped home can boost its value by 5-11%. Start simple: a tidy lawn, trimmed shrubs, vibrant plants.

Want to pack a punch? Plant some mature trees. They’re not just eye candy, they save energy with cooling shade. A 6-8 foot deciduous tree (runs you $200 to $400) could add as much as $10,000 to your home’s value once it’s all grown up.

And then there’re water features-fountains, ponds, you name it. They scream luxury. A small fountain might be just $500, but get all elaborate on it and you’re talking $5,000 or more.

Remember, outdoor spaces aren’t just about resale value. They’re your personal playground for relaxation and hosting. While charting those upgrades, definitely factor in how you’ll soak in the good times and make some memories.

Final Thoughts

You want to up your home’s game and not sink money into dead-end projects? Simple: blend style with purpose. Think: form meets function, with a side of awesome. Buyers-they’re not fooled by shoddy jobs. So, you hire the pros, make sure it’s craftsmen who bring the “wow” factor. Your wallet might cry now, but future you (and potential buyers) will be fist-bumping.

Enter Cameron Construction-these folks have been around the block. They’ve got the squad: designers, engineers, interior gurus. Their mission? Turn your home into a goldmine, aligning your dreams with dollar signs down the road. Enhancing how you live now while cashing in later? Oh yeah, they nail that.

It’s like this: smart upgrades are your golden ticket. Whether you’re packing up soon or settling in for the long haul, pimp your kitchens, spruce up those bathrooms, maybe toss a cherry on top with revamped outdoor spaces. It’s these tactical moves that flip the script, turning “for sale” into “sold” in today’s cutthroat market.