High ROI Home Improvement Projects

So, you’ve made the big decision to upgrade your home. Whether it’s recently purchased, or you’ve owned your house for years, home improvement projects can be a daunting task. Get the best ROI for home improvement projects by focusing your energy on certain areas of the house. This will make it easier to sell the home for a higher value later on and make living in your home more enjoyable. From a simple bathroom remodel to an entire kitchen upgrade, high ROI projects are capable with any budget or skill level.

Here are just a few of the best high ROI home improvement projects you should do to make your house stand out.

Update The Kitchen Appliances

This may sound like a no-brainer, but many home buyers are searching for an upgraded kitchen with all new appliances. If you’re looking to sell your home, focus most of your upgrades in the kitchen. Depending on the size and location of your home, a kitchen update can give you a great ROI increasing your home’s value by even tens of thousands. However, don’t go for the fanciest appliances if your home is smaller. According to HGTV, you should spend six to ten percent of your home’s value if you’re expecting decent returns.

You’ll also want to make sure your kitchen remodel is elegant, yet simple. If you’re kitchen cabinetry is outdated, consider that your starting point to a more elegant kitchen. This way it will appeal to the masses and make it easier to attract a variety of home buyers. Don’t forget to add in small amenities like a decorative backsplash and under-cabinet lighting to add wow value. This will also make living in your home more colorful and accessible.

Replace The Windows

This is another higher cost project than will pay off in the long-run. Replacing your windows not only saves on energy bills for years to come, but it makes your home look decades younger. Choose windows that are energy efficient and attractive. If it’s in the budget, add shutters to the outside. Although they may not have much of a purpose, many home buyers love to see the added touch to their potential house.

Spruce Up The Backyard

From outdoor cookouts to a playground for the kids, the backyard is a sacred area in any home. Whether your yard is small or goes on for acres and acres, there are several improvements you can make that will result in a high ROI. Depending on where you live, adding a pool to your backyard can increase your home value by nearly five percent. A pool can also be the perfect chance to cool off and enjoy time with the family on the weekends.

If swimming isn’t your thing, consider investing in a new porch. A backyard with a porch provides fantastic curb appeal and will attract home buyers who are ready to spend their days outdoors. Use flagstone to add a nice area to host barbeques and fire pits. A porch can last up to 50 years and is a better investment than a deck, so what’s stopping you from building your dream outdoor oasis? If you are looking for low-cost outdoor home improvement projects, go for the landscaping. Adding in new grass and decorative plants will do wonders for home value and overall look of the property.

Make More Room

As the most expensive upgrade on the list, you’ll want to consult with a real estate agency (you’re already in the right spot) and a contractor before taking on this project. However, the ROI for room additions can be high depending on what market and neighborhood you live in. According to a study from the National Association of Realtors, every 1,000 square feet that is added to a home will boost the sale price by more than 30 percent.

Additional bathrooms and bedrooms are hot commodities, but consider first what your home may be lacking. Many home buyers are now looking for an office or playroom for the kids before spare rooms that are more traditional. You can also consider adding on to your home as a short-term fix instead of selling and moving away. Then when the time is right, your home will have much more to show for. Be sure to do your research with any home upgrade and do the work right the first time. It may seem like a lot of money and time, however, the payoffs for these home upgrades can be high. Written by Haley Kieser