If you’re in the mind to remodel your home and you’re not sure where you should focus your efforts, or perhaps do some improvements with an eye towards upping the resale value down the road, the best person to ask is your local realtor.
“Speak to a (real estate) broker who understands the mindset of buyers and get their advice on what the must-dos are,” says Jane Katz, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Warburg in New York City.
While kitchens and bathrooms are typically a hit with buyers all across the country, real estate agents have their fingers on the pulse of what’s working for buyers in your immediate area.
Rich Kwok of Century 21 Real Estate Alliance in San Jose, California, says that in his area, home offices or study areas, accessory dwelling units such as garage apartments and in-law suites, drought-tolerant landscaping and solar power systems are among the top home improvements and additions to consider making for better resale value.
Above all, Katz recommends that sellers should be focused on restoring the space to neutral to attract home buyers with a blank slate.
“Anything quirky or out of the ordinary that was done to (the space) should be undone,” she says, noting any outdated or overly custom design elements will be a turn-off to buyers. She says that agents and brokers might also be able to recommend a contractor to fix or improve the major issues at hand. But it might not even have to be that complicated, she says.
“Sometimes, something as simple as decluttering, a fresh coat of white paint, and clean windows can go a long way – and may be all you need,” Katz says.
If you want to find a reliable realtor in your area, consulting with the National Association of REALTORS® website is a good place to start. All their members subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics, and you can find research and statistics to help find out what the market is doing in your neck of the woods.
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