{"id":5127,"date":"2018-08-15T18:00:20","date_gmt":"2018-08-16T01:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=5127"},"modified":"2023-03-27T07:51:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T14:51:01","slug":"best-ways-increase-home-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/best-ways-increase-home-value\/","title":{"rendered":"Put Down the Hammer! The Best Ways to Increase Home Value Are Functional, Not Cosmetic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tempted to splurge on a new granite countertop and high-end cabinetry in the hopes they’ll increase your property value? Stop… remodeling projects are a tricky business and buyer expectations change drastically from location to location<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Homeowners often spend thousands on pre-sale home remodels, only to realize that they\u2019ll see a mere fraction return on that investment<\/a> (or ROI) when it comes time to sell.<\/p>\n

After substantial research and interviews with leading real estate agents, we\u2019ve got the intel you need to prioritize function over flair\u2014and increase your home value before a sale without losing any money. Read on for expert advice that will ensure you choose your projects wisely, with a focus on the money-making changes you won\u2019t regret down the line.<\/p>\n

Before You Add Upgrades to Your Home, Find Out What\u2019s Wrong With it<\/h2>\n

Understanding what repairs your home needs is the first step in smart renovation.<\/p>\n

Homeowners often have the wrong impression that cosmetic features are what buyers care about most.<\/p>\n

While appearance matters<\/a>, top-selling real estate agent Dawn Rushton<\/a> of Maple Valley, Washington, tells us that repairing any functional issues in your home should come first.<\/p>\n

Rushton, who ranks in the top 3% of local agents, encourages her clients to consider things like crawl spaces and the state of their roof before moving on to more aesthetic home features.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure crawl spaces are clean and dry, and make sure the roof is in decent condition, and the gutters are cleaned and not leaking,\u201d she says, \u201cthe house has to be as clean as you can make it, and structurally sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"best<\/a>
Source: (stocksolutions\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While these might sound like basic fixes, you\u2019d be surprised<\/a> at the number of homeowners who waste money on pricey updates in perfectly functional spaces, only to have a buyer come along and notice expensive repairs that need to be made elsewhere\u2014or gut the entire space because it doesn\u2019t suit their taste upon moving in.<\/p>\n

Which is why, before blowing your budget on a new kitchen<\/a>, use that money to fix up any known issues and reserve some of your budget for any problems that could come up in the\u00a0home inspection.<\/a><\/p>\n

Once you get an offer on your home, the contract will be contingent on the home inspection, which opens the door for renegotiation. As the homeowner, you can also opt to get a pre-inspection to avoid any big surprises. That can give you a list of repairs to work from and address. But doing the pre-inspection means you are legally required to disclose the home inspection report to buyers, so it can open a real can of worms you weren’t expecting.<\/p>\n

These are the seven major things home inspectors will check for<\/a> that could impact your sale:<\/p>\n