Best Home Improvements for Your Dollar in STL 2014
With some homeowners still suffering slightly from the “burst, they are opting to stay in their home and make home improvements rather than move. Another factor in this trend is the “living large in a small home” philosophy.
Having a comfortable home is uppermost in the mind of most families, but it is also nice to know the value added for your home improvement projects. So listed below are my picks for the 7 best home improvements in STL 2014 using data from the 2014 Cost vs Value report by Remodeling Magazine., (Listed below are the numbers for midrange homes. The values change in the upscale homes.)
Since STL has so many charming bungalows, my top pick is to expand your space by finishing an attic. The return on investment with this project in STL is 81.7%. Converting an attic space can be so eco-friendly, easy on the budget and stir up some of your creative juices. Check out this article for some creative ideas.- According to Remodel Magazine, the best bang for your buck is vinyl window
replacement. The return on your dollar for this investment is 87.7%. I sell a lot of older homes and many of them have “windows of character’. Sometimes replacement windows for these homes end up being custom in order to maintain the essence of the home. - A steel entry door replacement has a return on your investment of 84.3%. It’s easy and does not take a lot of time out of your schedule – maybe one day.
- Replacing your garage door adds to your curb appeal – always important. This project has a job cost of $1607 with a return of $1315 which is and 82% return for the homeowner. So easy on the budget and time efficient also!
- Adding a deck shows up on the report as a 76.9% return on your investment. I would add to this that adding any outdoor space is important to your resale. With the trend towards “living large in a small space”, out door space is a big plus for many buyers.
- It is said that kitchens sell houses. Well, with my experience of 3 decades of selling homes in STL, I can’t agree more. The newest trend is to have the kitchen open to the family room so the cooks are able to participate with the family. According to Remodel Magazine, a minor kitchen remodel returns 77.8% on your money. Their average cost for a minor remodel is $19797. Personally, I think you can do even less extensive enhancements in your kitchen that may make the difference between a sale or no-sale.
- Landscaping adds value to your property. Curb appeal today is so important. Buyers are looking on line and will eliminate your home just by looking at the pictures. Done correctly, the addition of trees, shrubs, plants, walks and lighting can increase the value of your property by 20%.
Always keep in mind, the value of your home is not just a dollar and cents calculation. It is the epitome of your quality of life. Deciding to do a project should include considerations of your desired lifestyle. However, it is always a good idea to talk to your real estate agent about the impact an improvement will have on your home resale and whether or not you are pricing yourself out of a neighborhood.
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