Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

Here is a new blog post from a guest author contributing to
Lang’s Kitchen & Bath’s website. All views expressed are those of the author.

In recent years, the housing market has become increasingly competitive, with house prices across the US rising by almost 19%. While many homeowners may be looking to sell up and move on to pastures new, most will be hoping to maximize their ROI to ensure the proceeds gained from the sale of their homes hold enough value to cover the rising costs of relocation.

One proven way to achieve this is via well-implemented pre-sale home renovations. In fact, the ROI for common remodeling projects such as bathroom, kitchen, or flooring upgrades can recoup anywhere from 56% - 147% of the homeowner’s initial costs. However, renovating a home for sale isn’t always as simple as ripping out old fixtures and refinishing tired surfaces.

To explore this idea further, here are 8 pre-sale renovation secrets for modern homeowners.

1. Modernize your kitchen fixtures

Old, worn, and tired kitchen fixtures can instantly age almost any property, potentially leaving prospective buyers weighing up the cost of replacements before they’ve even put in an offer. Opting for modern stainless-steel faucets can be a good idea, with 44% of real estate agents believing such fixtures to be among the most sought-after additions to modern kitchen areas.

Practicality should also be considered. Choose sleek taps, handles, and surfaces that feature very few crevices to simplify daily cleaning routines, as well as contemporary additions such as built-in water heater taps to add a little more functionality to pre-existing kitchen spaces.

2. Add functional storage solutions

Plentiful storage spaces throughout the home consistently rank as top priorities for potential homebuyers, with this principle being particularly important in the kitchen. For example, 85% of buyers look for extra-large pantry spaces. If you can’t add this extra space into your home layout, make efficient use of available space by adding deep drawers, cabinets, and shelving.

Bedrooms and bathrooms can also be revitalized through the addition of customized storage areas, with ledge shelving added to otherwise unused walls or custom closets designed around existing niches and inlays. According to one survey conducted in the UK, the simple addition of spacious storage solutions could add almost $16,000 to the value of your home.

3. Focus on timeless countertops

Countertops are usually the main focal point of any modern kitchen area, so it makes sense to prioritize sprucing up these surfaces when renovating your home for sale. Natural stone countertops made from long-lasting materials like quartz or granite typically bring in the most additional value. However, as the seasoned real estate expert Darren Roberston points out:

“If one of your priorities is to maximize the ROI on your remodeling, it’s generally a good idea to budget money for home improvements based on the price point of the home that you own”

In other words, avoid spending a large proportion of your home’s value on purely superficial renovations, instead opting for improvements intended to add usable space to your property.

4. Lighten up your kitchen space

Light and spacious kitchens are another consistent request from modern homebuyers, with 43% of real estate agents claiming buyers actively seek out properties that feature light and calming color palettes in kitchen areas. While extending the size of your kitchen may attract as many as 85% of homebuyers, simply upgrading your lighting may be more cost-effective.

To gain a real advantage, consider upgrading your lighting system to feature energy-efficient smart lights. These solutions enable homeowners to adjust their lighting remotely using apps and voice commands, creating a more practical and contemporary space for modern buyers.

5. Update tired bathroom tiles

Moving over to the bathroom, one major focal point will be the quality of any tiled areas and surfaces. Thoroughly cleaning and regrouting any smaller tiled areas can be a quick way to improve the appearance of your home’s bathrooms, but re-tiling should also be considered.

Bathroom remodels can have the highest ROI of any home improvement, averaging out at almost 73%. A major part of this process lies in refinishing worn-out surfaces, so installing modern and easy-to-clean ceramic tiles can be a relatively simple way to boost home value.

6. Consider modern bathroom trends

Of course, pre-sale renovations should be focused on improvements that potential buyers are actively seeking, meaning it’s important to keep an eye on current trends. When it comes to bathrooms, 76% of homeowners choose to renovate their vanities while almost 80% look to enlarge their shower spaces, providing a little insight into desirable upgrades for buyers.

7. Reevaluate your plumbing system

While visual appeal will certainly draw the eye of potential buyers, practical improvements sometimes seal the deal. An often overlooked consideration is the quality of your bathroom’s plumbing. Relatively simple renovations like extending the size of your shower drain by a few inches will make cleaning and maintenance processes much easier for a fairly negligible fee.

Additionally, it may be worthwhile to consider replacing traditional shower heads with modern low-flow systems. These devices are specially designed to reduce water consumption while in use, helping homeowners cut down on their utility bills. Eco-friendly improvements like this are becoming increasingly popular with buyers, with some happy to spend up to $50,000 over budget for an environmentally low-impact home filled with tech to reduce energy needs.

8. Make clever use of bathroom mirrors

Finally, buyers are often looking for a more spacious feel in almost every room of modern homes. While extending the size of your bathroom may not be a practical possibility, creating the illusion of space is pretty simple. Adding large and luxurious mirrors to empty wall space will help to open up even the smallest of bathrooms without impacting your budget too much.

Final word

Small and precise home improvements may be the way to go if you’re looking to maximize the value of your home without worrying about the practicality of full-scale renovations. For professional help deciding on and completing projects like those discussed above, contact an experienced team of kitchen and bathroom remodeling experts and start crafting a plan.