Written by: Cross Country Construction
Remodeling your home often comes with a big cost – especially if you haven’t done it before. Inspiration and ideas abound as there are tons of images and DIY guides online that you can follow (just search home remodeling on Pinterest and you’ll find hundreds of posts).
The real challenge isn’t in finding ideas – it’s in making sure your investment a good one. Come selling time, the money that you spent on home improvement should significantly increase the value of your real estate.
Wondering how to do it? Here are 5 useful ideas that will help you remodel your home in the most cost-effective way possible:
#1 Prioritize Energy Efficiency
This might seem new to a lot of home owners but it is fast becoming an important trend, especially if you are planning to sell your house in the next 5 to 10 years. The cost you save on electricity can be used for other home updates that can further increase the value of your home.
Renewable energy, particularly solar power, is starting to gain more and more attention in the real estate marketplace. Homes that are equipped with this feature tend to be more marketable. If you are hesitant or somewhat not ready for the big shift, you can still add energy-efficient updates to your home such as installing ceiling fans, switching to LED lights and upgrading to a programmable thermostat system.
(Pro-tip: Find out if your local utility company provides a free or low-cost energy audit service. This can give you useful information on how to transform your home into an energy-efficient property without spending a fortune. Some also provide special incentives: EPA List of EE Program Sponsors)
#2 Give Your Bathrooms A Makeover
Bathrooms are probably the cheapest to update especially if you are working with smart remodeling contractors who know all the good tricks.
A simple repainting and re-grouting can go a long way. Replace old fixtures with new and classy pieces. Consider going minimalist as this is a growing trend. A good vanity mirror and excellent lighting can make a huge impact to buyers. If you want to go the extra mile, go for heated floors.
Remodeled bathrooms has a high return of investment. While you make your house significantly more attractive to potential buyers, you also enjoy its upgraded features. Isn’t that a good bargain?
#3 Beautify Your Kitchen
For many families, kitchen is the center of the home and the heart of the house. While you can absolutely do it by yourself, it is smart to get help from experienced home remodeling contractors who know the technicalities of the job.
Paint your cabinets with faux wood finish. This adds a pretty amazing accent to the overall theme of the house. Another killer update is adding a rolling island. This makes the kitchen and the entire house hard to resist for potential buyers. (We are in the age of social media – a time when having Instagram-worthy spots in the house can absolutely help get it sold.)
Consider going for a minimalist approach. It is good for both aesthetic and functional reasons plus it saves you money from buying unnecessary fixtures and furniture. You could invest in stylish racks and marble or granite counter-tops. Make a striking impression by adding indoor plants to decorate the empty corners of the kitchen.
#4 Improve Indoor Air Quality
This one might sound expensive but it doesn’t have to be. The best home remodeling ideas are those that help improve or maintain the god health of the people living in the house. This can be as simple as making sure filters of air conditioning units are regularly replaced. This way, allergens don’t spread inside the property.
If your have carpeted floors, check if it’s time to replace it. You can opt for hard-surface floors for a trendier look that is easier to clean and more environment-friendly.
#5 Upgrade To An Attractive And Easy-To-Maintain Landscape
Do not underestimate the power of shrubs, trees and colorful plants. They make your property so much more attractive – especially when home buyers find out that it doesn’t take much to maintain this nice outdoor look.
Prioritize plants that are native to your region. Planting shade trees within your property can save you up to 40 percent on cooling costs. One of the simplest yet useful home remodeling ideas: think green. If you aren’t sure what are the native plants for your area contact the Forth Worth arborists for tree planting advice.
Conclusion
Renovating your house doesn’t have to break the bank. Your investment on these smart home remodeling ideas will give you a good return once you are ready to sell your property. We hope these tips help you! Enjoy living in your updated home plus the many cost-efficiency benefits in the long run!