11 Home Improvements to Increase Home Value in 2022

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Giving your home an upgrade is always a good idea, whether you’re planning on selling in the near future or a few years down the line. Bear in mind that your house is a major investment. Any amount of money you spend on it would not only enhance form and function but also lead to a return on investment which you’ll recuperate when you end up selling. If you’re asking yourself “what is my home’s value?”, certain elements can make the answer more to your liking.

According to real estate experts at Zillow, there are several features that stand out when you’re listing your property. Upgrades such as steam ovens and rain shower heads are great options to consider should you want to increase home value in 2022. And if your house already has these features, mentioning them in the listing will allow you to sell faster and for more than you’d expect. 

1. Buff out the Flooring

Freshening up your floors is a common home improvement measure taken to raise home value. If you have wall-to-wall carpets, consider deep-cleaning them to restore their luster. You may also want to refinish hardwood floors if you notice any stains or scratches. Should you need to replace the flooring, herringbone parquet is something to consider. Zillow reports that it can add 5 percent to the selling price.  

2. Consider Shiplap Walls

Listings that mention shiplap in the description are known to increase the home’s resale value.

One design style that has garnered a lot of popularity over the past few years is the modern farmhouse, with its iconic shiplap walls and plenty of natural elements. If you’ve already hopped aboard the popular wall paneling trend, you’ll be thrilled to find out that “shiplap” adds 2.6 percent to the resale value. You don’t really need to go for a complete modern farmhouse remodel. But if your home somehow relates to the style, Zillow recommends mentioning “modern farmhouse” in the listing to boost your home’s value. 

3. Incorporate Nautical Elements

If the modern farmhouse style isn’t exactly your cup of tea, you could go for a nautical look instead. According to Zillow, homes listed as “nautical” were reported to sell for 2.4 percent more. Many homeowners look to transform their living spaces into a getaway that evokes a sense of escapism; and the nautical style provides just that, whether you live near the beach or not. Minor touches such as light blue paint, coastal patterns, and nautical-themed wall art should do the trick. 

4. Redesign Your Bathroom

Spa-inspired bathrooms are highly sought after in the real estate market.

Redesigning the bathroom is another way to add value to your home before placing it on the market. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to replace the fixtures and re-tile the space. A few simple fixes can often go a long way. This involves reglazing the bathtub, caulking the shower, and replacing vanity lights for a more modern look.

Chances are your bathroom fixtures are in good condition and don’t need replacement. But you can still upgrade them with a spa aesthetic in mind, rain shower heads being a great example. Zillow found that listings with the keyword “spa-inspired” increase home value by 1.8 percent.

5. Give the Exterior a Facelift

Your home’s exterior is often the first thing that catches the eye of a potential buyer. This is why first impressions are everything, whether the buyers are viewing your house as they’re driving by, on an online listing, or stopping by for a tour. Even painting just the front door can have a considerable impact on your home’s value. Research by Zillow shows that front doors painted in charcoal, jet-black, or smoky black contribute to a premium of nearly $6,300. You can also take it a step further and paint the whole exterior for a fresh pop of color. 

6. Go for a Fresh Coat of Paint

Going for a new paint job is a surefire way to boost home value.

Wear and tear are completely natural in any living space. Tiny cracks in the wall or nail holes where wall art used to be are not at all uncommon. However, these flaws can be visible in advertisement photos and during tours. That being said, it’s a good idea to revitalize your home with a fresh coat of paint.

Consider sticking to neutral tones such as gray or beige for living room walls and pair them with white trim. You can choose a more vivid hue for bathroom and entryway walls. According to Zillow, bathrooms painted in light blue are reported to boost home value by up to $2,800. Another study by Zillow revealed that the trendiest color for kitchens is white, whereas dark blue is most appealing for bedrooms. As for living rooms, gray turned out to be the most popular choice. 

7. Buy a Steam Oven

Interestingly enough, steam ovens proved to be among the top features that increase home value — and for two years in a row. Zillow reported that home listings mentioning a steam oven increased the value by 3.7 percent. Spending endless hours at home during the pandemic led to many homeowners dabbling in the culinary arts. This resulted in kitchen features such as steam ovens being in high demand. As with air fryers, steam ovens allow for cooking food in a healthier way than frying in oil or baking. Zillow also showed that modern appliances generally raise the resale value of a home by 2.6 percent. 

8. Install Metal Roofing

The durability of metal roofing makes it a desirable feature in real estate.

Although metal roofing is higher on the price spectrum than asphalt shingles, it is known to increase home value by 2.4 percent according to Zillow. Even if you don’t plan on selling your property, metal roofs last considerably longer than their asphalt counterparts. The material’s impressive durability allows it to withstand hail, snow, as well as wildfires. Metal roofing also reflects sunlight, keeping your home cooler during the warmer months and allowing you to save money on air conditioning. 

9. Get Smart Home Technology

Zillow reports that 47 percent of millennials and 41 percent of Generation Z buyers prioritize smart home technology in their search. Smart thermostats, for instance, are quite popular and can be a fairly easy addition to make in your home. Another research by Zillow shows that listings mentioning smart lights sold faster than usual. Automatic blinds, USB-C wall outlets, and smart water heaters — just to name a few — are other upgrades you can make to raise home value. 

10. Upgrade Your Internet

High-speed internet connection has become more of a necessity than a luxury.

Working from home or having a hybrid work schedule has become a byproduct of the pandemic for many Americans. With many homeowners moving farther away from bustling city centers and working from home, a high-speed Wi-Fi connection has become all the more important. It comes as no surprise that listings including “broadband” in the description resulted in a 2.5 percent premium, as per a recent study by Zillow. 

11. Take Seismic Retrofitting Measures

Retrofitting your home can help prevent it from shifting off the foundations in case of an earthquake. This includes bolting the foundations of the house and helps in avoiding heavy structural damage. Mostly common in homes across the West Coast, seismic retrofitting is known to add a 2.4 premium to your home’s value according to a Zillow report. 

Home Improvement Projects That Don’t Always Offer an ROI 

It’s important to bear in mind that certain home improvement projects don’t always offer a return on investment, and it really depends on the neighborhood you live in. Should you be remodeling to sell, you may want to avoid these upgrades as they can possibly be detrimental to your efforts. 

High-End Upgrades

Depending on the real estate market and the area you live in, sophisticated features like marble countertops and professional-grade appliances may not always appeal to buyers. Keep in mind that many buyers may not be willing to spend additional money for luxury touches that they don’t deem necessary.

Swimming Pools

Pools are a dividing issue in the real estate market. While some buyers enjoy the thought of having one, others may view it as a daunting maintenance hassle. You may want to focus on other upgrades if you’re renovating your property with the aim of selling. 

Luxury Landscaping

As with swimming pools and high-end upgrades, adorning your exterior with lavish landscaping isn’t always worth the investment. There’s no denying that an extravagant backyard with fountains and lush greenery would look gorgeous. However, it can be a burden to maintain for a lot of buyers.