By Zach Edwards:
When the pandemic forced most of us to spend a lot more time at home, we realized the need to take advantage of every square inch available to us. Sometimes that meant dropping a few bucks to improve our spaces. We got hooked on remodeling! Now, as we continue to make home improvements, we’re adopting a closer eye toward future home values. Here are a few affordable home improvements you can enjoy now while also recouping your investment when it comes time to sell.
Have an Outward Focus
Most homeowners understand that curb appeal is king. If future buyers don’t like what they see on the outside, they’re not going to set foot inside. When it comes to resale value, keep in mind the “holy trinity” of remodeling ideas with the best return on investment: replacing garage doors, adding (or repairing) a deck, and greening up the outside.
Update the Garage Door
The largest eye-catching piece of your home’s exterior, garage doors have transformed from functional to fashionable. This cost-effective fix can have an excellent return on investment. Garage door replacement provides some of the highest year-over-year home value increases. And while it may not seem sexy, the once lowly garage door can be a sleek, modern addition to your NOLA exterior.
Create an Inviting Front Porch
It doesn’t have to be a huge wraparound deck to impress. A front porch is key for creating an inviting outdoor living space that prospective buyers will see before stepping foot inside your home. It’s a key feature of one of YRNO’s newest projects and adds to the living space (and livability) of a home. Even though a front porch isn’t included in the square footage of your home, it can add value, especially in a city where people enjoy snacking on a snowball on the porch on a warm summer night.
Green it Up
Be the envy of your neighbors (and attract future buyers) with a showy, green carpet surrounding your home. First, know what type of grass grows best in your area. Warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass not only withstand higher temperatures but can also handle a lot of foot traffic. Be sure to aerate, fertilize and water your lawn to keep it healthy.
Paint
A little paint goes a long way. You don’t have to paint the entire house to add to its resale value. Freshen up the columns, shutters, and porch railings to make the home feel new again. Painting the front door black can add as much as $6,000 to the resale value. Paint is one of the least expensive ways to get a huge return on your investment.
Don’t Forget the Inside
Minor kitchen and bath remodels can really pack a punch in terms of resale value, and they don’t have to cost a fortune. In smaller areas like bathrooms, try lower-cost alternatives like vinyl plank flooring and quartz countertops. You might also consider refinishing your tub or shower rather than replacing it. In the kitchen, a fresh coat of paint on the walls (and even cabinets), some trendy new lighting fixtures, or even simple, new drawer pulls can provide a low-cost yet value-added update.
By spending a little now, you can recoup your costs and then some. And these improvements can all be enjoyed now or well into the future.
Zach Edwards is a home stager and lifestyle and landscape and home design writer. He has refurbished a number of older homes in New Orleans with a focus on spaces for entertaining.
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