10 Important Upgrades to Add Value to Your Home (Part 2)

...continued from "10 Important Upgrades (Pt. 1)"

Master Bedroom/Suite -            The master bedroom is a very high priority for home buyers and making the right changes can greatly improve the overall value.  Typical flat ceilings can be altered to raised tray ceilings which in turn bring several lighting options to the table.  Recessed lighting with dimmers and either modern or traditional wall sconces help build that coveted ambiance which is highly effective in appeal and home value.  High ceilings also allow the room to have taller dressers, mirrors, light fixtures, windows and headboards to really give it the grand style of luxury. 

We’ll be continuing our blog topic on increasing the value of your home in our next post.  Any questions yet?

Granite Countertops – At this point in time it seems obvious that granite countertops are all-important when it comes to upgrading your home.  These countertops began making appearances in the 1990’s and swept across the nation as popularity soared in the 2000’s.  In 2000, 895,000 metric tons of granite slabs were imported to the United States.  Before the end of the decade, the import numbers peaked at 2.64 million tons per year.  This number has since lowered to about 1.5 million/year due to our current economic conditions.

There are many reasons why homeowners choose granite, but three of them seem to be most common among Americans. 

•  It signals something about its owners.  It could be as simple as a social class marker (they have money to buy granite). Perhaps it is because they have the right taste.  Granite is beautiful to look at and completely complements a fully functional kitchen.
•  It’s what is popular now, thanks to word of mouth and HGTV. People want what is popular, partly because they don’t want to be left in the dust of their friends, family and neighbors’ latest renovations.
• It simply helps sell a home. Add stainless steel appliances and decent cabinets and you have a kitchen that is ready to help move your house on the market.

Keep in mind, granite is not the only quality material for countertops available, but it’s certainly sought out more in new homes than any other surface.

Master Bathroom – As this room is usually part of the master bedroom, it’s best to renovate both at the same time to make it easier on yourself.  Buyers seem to want an abundance of “spa-like” features in the bathroom.  Spacious, open-look showers and over-sized garden tubs are common centers of focus in newly done bathrooms.  Like the kitchen, put upgrades where you can most afford it.  If you can’t afford a major renovation all at once, it may be wise to focus your investment on specific features rather than spreading your money too thin among bathroom upgrades.  New tiled floors and showers will certainly add value and give the room a more modern look.  A large vanity with dual sinks adds that extra elegance which helps buyers get excited about moving into a space.  Soaking tubs equipped with jets, showers with various heads, and large square footage will add the most value to your overall home.

            Once these major renovations are achieved, home owners should begin considering the following upgrades:

Curb appeal
Roof
Flooring
Kitchen appliances
Garage
The more closets the better
State of art audio and sound
Eco-friendly homes raise value
Have fully functioning irrigation system
Plumbing fixtures in kitchen and bathrooms