{"id":14574,"date":"2020-02-27T08:34:12","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T16:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=14574"},"modified":"2026-03-31T11:30:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T18:30:38","slug":"buyer-does-new-flooring-increase-home-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-does-new-flooring-increase-home-value\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Amazing Flooring Types to Boost the Value of Your House Upon Move-In"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s a crazy idea, new homeowner: Before you get fully settled into the house you just purchased, take a look at the floors. Are they mismatched? Dated? Grungy? Banged up? If so, now\u2019s a great time to invest in some fresh flooring.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s better to knock out all of the flooring replacement at once,\u201d says Jennifer King<\/a>, a top-selling real estate agent in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the huge trends that’s changed in my years in the business is that everybody wants all the flooring the same, everybody wants the model home experience.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Once you go on that furniture shopping spree and fill up your rooms with big tables, dressers, couches, and bed frames, this upgrade becomes a much bigger pain than it needs to be. Right now, you\u2019ve got the luxury of working with a blank canvas.<\/p>\n

With so many materials, colors, and finishes to choose from (not to mention price points ranging from $3 to $18<\/a> per square foot!) we\u2019re here to help you narrow down your options based on which flooring types add the most value and work best for your house.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Dmitry Kalinovsky \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3 factors to factor into your flooring decision<\/h2>\n

1. The cost to remove existing flooring<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll need to repair, level, or remove<\/a> your existing flooring before you can install your new material. The time and cost it takes to remove the existing flooring will impact your total installation costs.<\/p>\n

2. The inconvenience of installation<\/h3>\n

Different flooring types take longer to install than others, which means more time before your house is ready to move in. For example, if you opt for ceramic tile, there will be a 24-hour waiting period<\/a> in between installation and grouting. Solid hardwood floors require acclimation<\/a> on site before installation.<\/p>\n

The size and shapes of your rooms will also impact the installation timeline. If your rooms are straightforward boxes, installation is relatively simple. But if your home has lots of nooks, crannies or complicated architecture (like curved walls or stairs) that require specialty cuts, expect the installation to take longer and cost more.<\/p>\n

3. Your home\u2019s price point<\/h3>\n

\u201cYour home\u2019s price point plays a role in which flooring type will add the most value,\u201d explains King. \u201cIn our area, vinyl or laminate flooring is fine for homes at the median value or below. In higher value homes, buyers expect to see hardwood, stone tile, or luxury vinyl plank.\u201d<\/p>\n

The flooring you choose needs to be on par with the value of your home. In fact, the value can actually decrease if you install high-end flooring like marble in a mid-range home, so choose wisely\u2014preferably based on the advice of a real estate professional.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Thanos Pal \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great flooring options to increase your home\u2019s value<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no end to the number of creative flooring options out there, so we\u2019ve whittled it down to 12 amazing options to consider for your home.<\/p>\n

Wood flooring<\/h3>\n

You just can\u2019t go wrong with a classic. The polished hardwood floors so popular in American homes today<\/a> started being produced in mass as early as the late 1800s and have stood the test of time. According to HomeLight\u2019s Top Agent Insights Survey for Q1 2019, installing new wood floors<\/a> costs $4,338 on average, but will boost your home value by $6,555 for a 51% ROI.<\/p>\n

Wood floors are also durable, easy to clean, and retain their value over a longer time period than other flooring types (like carpet). It is true that wood flooring is prone to scratches, dings or chips, and the material is vulnerable to water damage \u2014 however, you can avoid these issues with proper care and maintenance.<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Solid hardwood floors<\/h4>\n

In this day and age, almost anything can be made to look like wood flooring, but solid hardwood is the only genuine article<\/a>. A floor can only be called \u201creal wood\u201d if it\u2019s made from a solid piece of wood from top to bottom \u2014 no layering. (We\u2019ll cover engineered hardwood next).<\/p>\n

Take your pick from a wide variety of species each with its own unique hue and grain pattern, including oak, hickory, maple, and heart pine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why you\u2019ll love it:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n