Monday, February 24, 2014

What Home Improvements Will Add Value To My Home?

If you're thinking about spending the money on home improvements, you want to make sure you aren't spending on the wrong things. The average person moves every 5 to 7 years, and you'll want your investment to make a return when you're ready to put it up for sale.

Here are the top home improvements that will get you money back:

1. A Steel Entry Door
Not only do steel doors improve curb appeal, they boost energy efficiency. You can choose steel doors in a variety of colors or paint to fit the color scheme of your home. On average this will cost you about $1,162 but the return on investment is 96.6%.

2. Wood Deck
Who doesn't love a great space to gather with friends and family in the backyard? Adding extra living space outdoors is a fraction of the cost of adding an enclosed addition to your home. The average cost for a deck is about $9,539 and gives a 87.4% return on investment.

3. Attic Conversion
Adding an extra bedroom to your home is a lot easier with an attic conversion rather than adding on. While adding an extra bedroom averages at $49,438 it has a return on investment of 84.3% and opens the door to more buyers.

4. Garage Door Replacement
Garage doors are sometimes overlooked for replacement but an aging door can make your home look outdated. There are many different styles to choose from that boost your curb appeal. A midrange steel door will only set you back about $1,534 but gives an 83.7% return on investment.

5. Fiber-Cement Siding
If you're sick of dealing with your wood siding and repainting over and over again, fiber-cement siding is a great idea. It will save you money over time because repainting is much less frequent and it's resistant to termites, moisture, rot, and fire. It's known for being and upscale and high-quality product. With an 87% in return, $13,378 doesn't seem too bad to upgrade to quality and perhaps even change the color of your home!

6. Replacement Windows
Energy efficient windows will not only look great but will save you money. Sometimes seals can break in windows creating a foggy effect and ruin the view to outside and having old windows that allow air through is just about as good as throwing your money outside. 10 midrange vinyl windows cost an average of $9,978 with a 78.7% return on investment.

7.Vinyl Siding
Inexpensive, light weight, and low maintenance explains why vinyl siding is the most popular siding replacement. Insulated vinyl even adds to your wall's thermal resistance and can help cut energy costs. At an average of $11,475 for midrange vinyl and a return on investment of 78.2%, you can't go wrong.

8. Kitchen Update
A kitchen is one of the most important selling points of a home. Just changing out the cabinet doors, replacing drawer fronts, purchasing updated appliances, replacing the countertop and flooring has one of the high average returns in the Cost vs. Value Report over the past 10 years. An updated kitchen will cost about $18,856 but gives an 82.7% return on investment.


If you're wondering how much your home is worth in today's market, contact me for a free consultation.
Megan Bowman
812-583-4620
meganbowmanrealtor@gmail.com

Statistics provided by houselogic.com

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