Upgrading your home is not just about making it look and function better. It is also about adding value. Renovations, remodels, and other home improvement projects can add significant value to your home that results in bigger returns if you choose to sell your home in the future. The impact of an upgrade can vary based on the market you are in and the home’s current value. In addition, not all types of upgrades actually increase the value of your property.
Projects That Can Add Value to Your Home
Adding value to your home is easier than you think. Projects around and inside your dwelling can help to increase the value, and the level of living. Here is a look at some of the best home improvement projects known to add value to a home.
1. Replace Outdated Appliances
Most people want to purchase a home that already has appliances. However, appliances that are worn or outdated can be a real turn off. You can add value to your home by switching out your outdated appliances for more modern, energy-efficient models. It is not just your kitchen appliances you want to upgrade. Creating a separate laundry room or nook complete with a new washer and dryer can also be an attractive feature for buyers. Of course, having matching appliances is important, such as stainless-steel appliances throughout the kitchen.
2. Remodel the Kitchen
Remodeling the kitchen is one of the best investments you can make. As the heart of the home, most kitchen upgrades pay off and can make a home appear more luxurious and valuable. According to HGTV, most homeowners can expect to recoup between 60 and 120 percent of their investment on a kitchen remodel. However, you do not want to go overboard. Spending too much money on a kitchen remodel by adding commercial appliances and other unessential items that do not blend well with the rest of the home can actually lose you money when you go to sell.
3. Improve Curb Appeal
The outside of your home is the first thing a potential buyer will see when house hunting. Give a good impression by improving the façade of your home. Power wash your siding, or if needed, have it replaced. Give the trim and window shutters a fresh coat of paint too. You also want to keep your lawn mowed and your landscaping, including any flower beds, tidy and free of weeds. Do not forget about your roof and gutters. A roof replacement can also add value to your home if your current roof is past its prime.
4. Add a Second Bathroom
Today, having a home with just one bathroom will not do. Most buyers desire homes with at least two bathrooms, if not more. According to HGTV, homeowners can expect to recoup between 80 and 130 percent on average on a bathroom addition. The good news is a bathroom can be added to nearly any space in your home, such as extra room or other unutilized space. For a half-bath, you will need a minimum of 18 square feet. A full bath with a stand-up shower requires at least 30 square feet. If you want a bathroom with a tub, carve out at least 35 square feet.
5. Develop an Open Floor Plan
Many modern homeowners prefer open floor plans which help make a space feel larger and airier. Knocking down an internal wall can help open up a space while adding to your home’s value. However, you want to ensure that the project is completed by a professional to avoid disturbing the integrity of the home. If knocking down walls is not an option, consider a side or rear extension which can add square footage to your home without interfering much with the existing structure.
6. Make Green Updates
Your home can certainly benefit from a few inexpensive, environmentally-friendly upgrades. As more homeowners move towards an eco-friendlier lifestyle, updates like solar panels, programmable thermostats, and bamboo flooring can be highly attractive features that could potentially add value to your home. When choosing green updates, do not overboard. You are likely not going to make your money back if you spend too much going green. Instead, opt for low cost improvements such as weatherproofing around doors and windows to save energy, swapping incandescent light bulbs for LEDs, or installing a smart meter to save energy.
Speak to The Katie Zarpas Group For More Information
Whether you recently moved into a home and want to implement upgrades that will pay off over time, or are ready to sell and need to find ways to increase your home’s worth, it is important to consider what types of upgrades will actually add value to your home. If you plan on selling your home, you want to be careful not to spend more on a project than what you can expect to get back. For more information about how to add value to your home or for assistance with buying or selling a property, speak to The Katie Zarpas Group by phone at 757-685-4400, or by scheduling an appointment online .
Nearly all first time home buyers become first time home sellers, eventually. When they do, they undergo a very different process with its own unique requirements and home selling process timeline. Understanding what each of these steps entails can help you manage your schedule, sell your home quickly, and get a good price for the home. 
Your real estate agent will write a description of your home that highlights its major advantages and take photos to accompany the description in online listings and databases. They may also feature your home in advertisements, flyers, and other forms of marketing for maximum attention. When someone contacts your agent about your home, the agent will be able to answer any questions they have and set up showings. 
Several inspections may be made of your home before escrow closes. First, an appraiser will take a tour of your home to determine whether it is priced fairly. The buyer can review the appraiser’s findings and adjust their offer if they feel it is necessary. You will also undergo a home inspection, which will determine whether there are any structural concerns with the home. The buyer will conduct their own final walk through and may request a roof certification, pest inspection, or other inspection as well. 
Buying a home can be a long and complex process. New homebuyers are faced with many big decisions, and one small mistake can have a major impact on the transaction. If you are a home hunter in search of your dream house, take the time to acquaint yourself with the ins and outs of real estate transactions with these home buying tips.
Once the appraisal has been completed, all the necessary paperwork is reviewed, signed, and filed. Your lender will generally arrange for a 
Before going to your local bank to apply for a home loan, take the time to check your credit score and history. Lenders look for a credit score of 720 or above if you are applying for a conventional loan, and 620 or above if you are interested in an FHA. If your FICO score falls below these numbers, you may not qualify.
Before listing your home, you and your real estate agent need to complete a few preliminary tasks. Owners should clean their homes and make any repairs or touch-ups necessary to ensure that the home is presented in the best light. A formal home inspection can help you identify areas of improvement. 
After a buyer puts an offer on a home, they will be anxious to hear back about whether it has been accepted. That is why it is a good idea to make your decision as quickly as possible. State laws typically regulate response times, though buyers will also include information about how long their offer is valid before it needs to be accepted or declined. This time period generally lasts between 24 and 72 hours after submission. 
Buyers are allowed to adjust their offer after the house has been inspected to reflect any flaws or other factors that may influence the amount they are willing to pay. The renegotiation usually takes between 24 and 48 hours, because, at this point, there is likely little new information to discuss. A real estate agent can help you handle these negotiations to ensure that all parties are satisfied. 
Thinking of selling your home? Is your home already on the market and just won’t sell? Here are some common home selling myths about the real estate market in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, VA.