If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market in the near future, it can be difficult to see past tedious things like paperwork and scheduling, to assess the bigger picture – the current state of your home. There are certain home improvements that will fetch your home a higher price, so it’s important to stay on top of the trends that are enticing today’s buyers. Here are some of the top current home improvement trends that will increase the value of your home.
Smart home technology
For many potential buyers, a 21st-century home is not complete without integrated technology features. Thankfully, there is a wide variety of smart tech gadgets and other products that can add value to your home quickly and easily. Most tech-savvy homeowners will know about smart security systems and cameras from brands such as Nest and Hive, as well as connected home technology systems like Amazon Echo and Google Home.
According to Consumer Reports, newer products such as Wally, a home sensor that detects water leaks and fluctuations in temperature and humidity, will be on-trend for 2017 and beyond. Most of these products are portable and can easily be transferred from home to home, but a home that is already equipped with a few pieces of smart technology will particularly appeal to buyers.
Tech kitchen remodels
When homeowners want to increase the value of their property, a quick kitchen renovation often tops their priority list. Keep up with current kitchen trends by making your kitchen remodel look like something out of a science-fiction novel using matte appliances and faucets and sleek quartz countertops.
Another popular kitchen choice at the moment is modular kitchen pieces, such as cabinet doors, drawers, and shelving that can be customized to your particular tastes and needs. Finish off your futuristic kitchen with one or two top-of-the-line appliances and a built-in tech station to bring more potential buyers through the door during viewings.
Renewable energy
As the years go by, consumers are becoming more conscious of the carbon footprint and energy consumption. Finding ways to make your home more energy efficient will definitely tempt potential buyers while saving you money on energy bills before you move. Thankfully, renewable energy options such as rooftop solar panels are more affordable and realistic for homeowners than ever before.
While eco-conscious buyers will pay more for a home with pre-installed solar panels, you can up your technology game by considering new renewable trends such as solar roofs and batteries (both introduced by Tesla’s Elon Musk in the past few years). If budget is a concern, there are other, less expensive ways to make your home more energy efficient, including insulation, window and door caulking, sealing and weatherstripping, energy meters, and smart thermostats.
Open plan living spaces
Homes with fewer walls and more spacious rooms have been popular among new buyers for the past few years, but we think this aesthetically pleasing trend is here to stay. Countless home improvement shows and celebrities advocate knocking down non-load bearing walls in order to make your home feel bigger, brighter, and more functional. These qualities are essential for growing families, homeowners looking for more space, and those who dabble in the Danish practice of togetherness known as Hygge.
If you have time for a project of this size, you will find that achieving an open-plan home is less complicated than it seems–provided you get the right professionals in to complete the more difficult parts of the job.
Big and bright windows and doors
Buyers often have a long list of specific priorities when searching for a new home, but something virtually all of them share is a desire for a space that appears bright and airy. Before putting your home on the market, we think a window and/or door upgrade will go a long way toward showcasing the best parts of your home.
This year, the experts at House Beautiful predict that homeowners will opt for large bifold glass doors with thin frames in order to bring the outside in and make their homes as light and cheerful as possible. The same goes for windows: the bigger, the better. If you choose to upgrade your windows and doors, don’t forget to think about energy efficiency, soundproofing, and size, because these factors won’t go unnoticed by potential buyers.
There are certain aspects of a home that entice buyers and encourage them to pay more for your property; the key is identifying those elements and making the improvements that work for your budget and your family. Whether you plan to place your home on the real estate market soon, or you’re just keeping up with the times for a future sale, you can’t go wrong with these valuable home improvements. Tips provided by Home Improvement Leads.
