13 Home Upgrades that Reward You in the Long Run

Do you want to make your home more beautiful and functional than it’s ever been?

Do you plan on selling your home sometime in the future? Think about making some upgrades around your home. You will have the opportunity to enjoy it more now, while making it more appealing to potential buyers.

If you’d like to upgrade your home, have a look at the options listed below. Whether you choose to do some or all of these upgrades, you’ll immediately improve the look of your home.

1. Replace your kitchen appliances.

Nobody likes old, stained appliances. Over time, use and abuse make our once shiny appliances look old and worn. Even if potential buyers plan to bring their own appliances, their impression of your property will be impacted by the sight of aged or poorly maintained appliances in your home.

Buyers care more about kitchen appliances than any other set of appliances in your home. If you want to impress and persuade them to buy your home at your requested price, phase in new appliances. Choose modern and functional options that fit within your price range.

2. Update your kitchen cabinets.

Do you have scratched, dinged, stained, or broken cabinets? You may scare away buyers if you don’t update them. People are impressed by up-to-date cabinets, and they’ll pay more for a home that features them. Refinish your old kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room cabinets with quality materials and finishes, such as wood, glazing, or custom woodworking.

3. Switch out your countertops.

Nobody likes plastic or laminate countertops that wear out quickly and look cheap. To truly impress buyers, opt for granite countertops, or resin/concrete fabrications that look like natural stone.

4. Add wood, tile, or stone flooring.

Don’t overlook your floor as you update your home. Do you have cheap vinyl or carpet flooring? Consider updating your floors to hardwood or stone instead. These materials not only look nicer, but generally stand up better to wear and tear throughout the years.

5. Upgrade plumbing fixtures.

If you want to make your home look luxurious, upgrade your faucets, shower-heads, handles, basins, and other fixtures, and then consider upgrading your toilets. Find a matching set of fixtures with a professional, designer finish to replace your old, worn fixtures.

6. Modernize your lighting.

Appeal to buyers with dramatic lighting. Chandeliers always add class and value, as do optional dimmer switches to create ambient lighting choices. Add lighted wall sconces to hallways and bedrooms for an extra-intimate effect.

7. Turn the master bathroom into a paradise.

If you want your master bathroom to feel like you’ve stepped into a spa, upgrade with a larger or Jacuzzi-style tub, and make the shower spacious and luxurious. If you can afford to expand the bathroom, you’ll instantly increase the value of your home. You’ll also benefit from the extra mirrors and counter space.

8. Create an entertainment centre.

Multiple entertainment options exist for your family room or basement. Add a surround sound system and internet, cable or satellite TV hook-ups. You may even want to change this room into an in-home theatre. If you decide to make this upgrade, don’t forget to add theatre seating and snack-bar options.

9. Add a garage.

Buyers like extra space to store bikes, sports equipment and excess belongings. If your home doesn’t have a garage (or has a very small garage), consider investing in one that fits at least one vehicle with some extra room for storage.

10. Landscape your yard.

Potential buyers see your yard first. If it looks bare and bland, they may not want to buy your home. Increase the curb appeal of your home by keeping your lawn well-manicured, watering and pruning your trees and flowers, and maintaining an overall clean appearance.

11. Add closets.

Everyone enjoys extra storage space. Add closets wherever you have room in your home, and make sure your existing ones function properly. When buyers come to visit, make sure they can clearly see the amount of space inside the closets.

12. Repair or replace your roof.

Impress potential buyers by maintaining a clean, well-maintained roof. If your roof doesn’t look sturdy, or if the shingles are loose, buyers will assume that the roof can’t protect them during storms or other natural disasters.

13. Window replacement.

Windows improve the energy efficiency of a home, but they also fill the home with light. If you have dirty, damaged, or small windows, consider replacing them with brighter, larger, and more energy-efficient options. Windows can make or break an entire sale since everyone loves light and a view.

Don’t wait to make your home the most beautiful it’s ever been. Contact RetroTeck Window in Burnaby, Langley, or Victoria, BC to find your home’s perfect upgrade solutions!­