7 High-Value Renovation Projects to Do Before Selling Your House

When you're ready to sell your home, it's vital that you do everything you can to create a property that's high value and will earn as much money as possible. All home renovation projects aren't equal. Some renovations offer higher returns than others, so you must pick the right ones.

These are some of the best renovation projects before selling your house.

1. Reconsider Your Siding

Siding is one of the first things people see when checking out a home. Is it out of date? Is the style a popular one? Check for signs of age and wear and tear since most siding only lasts twenty to thirty years. If you live in a neighborhood that feels cookie-cutter, you can consider swapping to a siding material like synthetic stucco that will make your property stand out. If you want to go less drastic, simply switching to new siding in a different color can help! Ask your HOA before making any huge changes.

2. Keep Kitchens and Bathrooms Looking Fresh

When buyers look through a property, they want to consider its future. Unfortunately, seeing grime and dirt from past residents can kill that excitement and leave them disgusted with the property instead of interested in it.

Take a couple of days and deep clean your home from top to bottom! Focus on your kitchen and bathrooms, and eliminate any signs that these spaces have been used.

If you want to take this further, you can do a minor bathroom or kitchen remodel to help boost value. These both have a higher return on investment than a full remodel of either space and give you the chance to create a new room. 

3. Ensure Your Home is Energy Efficient

Energy efficiency is one of the top concerns for many buyers, worried that they'll have to pay high rates for heating and cooling. Calm their worries, and make your property more alluring by making the home as energy efficient as possible.

This includes changing out filters, upgrading to a smart thermostat, and checking for any leaks in the windows and doors. If you haven't had your insulation checked since you moved in, consider putting in continuous insulation to help with this problem.

4. Check Safety Features

The safety of your property is vital to buyers being interested! This isn't just obvious security and safety, like adding welded wire deck railing and ensuring locks work, but also going above and beyond.

Some parts of this could be adding exterior lighting, which can make burglars feel less secure approaching your property after dark, or even adding a camera doorbell. These changes will help buyers feel like their future here will be safe and secure. 

5. Add Some Curb Appeal!

If you live in an area with a lot of pollen or dust, you must take the time to deep clean your home's exterior! The best way to do this is to rent a power washer and use it on any brick, siding, concrete, or other hard surfaces that need to get scrubbed. 

This change will allow your home’s exterior to look fresh and new!

Take a weekend or two from here and update your lawn as much as possible. Mow and edge your grass, clean up any shrubbery or dirt, and give your yard a makeover. This will look great, and although it's a lot of work, it can add incredible value to your home without spending much money on it.

6. Ensure Your Windows Are Up to Date

How old are the windows on your property? The older they are, the more likely they need to be replaced. Although not every property needs storm windows, you may realize that some of your windows are out of date.

You can tell by checking for air leaks or if there are any cracks or chips in them. Instead of getting a whole new set of windows, you can purchase a window sash replacement! These replacements help reign in the cost and allow your windows to look and function like new ones.

7. Check Your Garage Door

A garage door replacement offers the highest return on investment above any other. These doors need to be replaced every ten to twenty years, depending on their use, and are vital because they protect your vehicle and the additional storage you keep in your garage.

If you're replacing it, consider choosing a new color or style that will work better with your property. This change will benefit your property more than most others!

Every Home Can Benefit From Renovations

Whether your home is older and needs to be touched up or newer and needs small changes, you can boost its value. Consider some of these high ROI projects to see your property's price skyrocket!

Ryan Shure is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on real estate. He lives in Tampa, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and researching real estate trends in his free time. Ryan’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisors, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.