Renovate or Restore? What Upgrades Bring the Best Bang for Your Buck

by Reggie Moore Professional writer and proto entrepreneur

Renovate or Restore? What Upgrades Bring the Best Bang for Your Buck

When decisions have to be made to upgrade a home the finished product isn't the only item to consider. In the end, it's whether or not the changes will maximize the property's value at the time of its sale. Sometimes, a complete renovation can actually result in a loss of profit. On the other hand, a restoration can save money and increase a home's value in the process.

To help make the right decisions, here are a few items to either renovate or restore to bring the best bang for the buck.

Renovate: Kitchen

Once upon a time, the parlor/sitting room was the focal point of most homes while the kitchen took a literal back seat in the rear of the property. Today, it's quite the reverse. Kitchens are where the action happens. Thus, it's the reason it should be renovated.

Recent experiences have made kitchens an important place for sustenance along with communication. It's where people can safely get together. So, renovating it into an open and airy environment increases your home's value.

Restore: Countertops

Marble upgrades used to be the top level for countertops. This isn't the case anymore. In actuality, there are several materials used that have the same feel as marble but are less expensive. Furthermore, those made from something like quartz are practically maintenance-free. Thus, they can last the life of the house without any stains, scratches, or chips.

Renovate: Energy Upgrades

Energy upgrades aren't needed for when the house is put up for sale. The existing homeowner can save money by upgrading various components right now. For instance, upgrading windows so they absorb sunlight and convert it to energy is a great investment. So is replacing your HVAC units and appliances. Even the installation of solar panels is worthy of a payout for a future return on investment.

Restore: Walls

Changing your walls' colors can do amazing things. Utilizing light hues opens areas up and gives them a calming feel. There's no need to add anything else to them. Items like crown molding, though pretty, actually shrink spaces so they feel cramped.

Renovate: Storage

We take the gatherer part of our ancestors seriously. Though the minimalist movement has gained steam, homeowners still pack their residences with, for lack of a better term, stuff. It's why innovative storage solutions should be added. Look for inexpensive renovations like pull-out trash/recycling bins and built-in closet organizers that are fairly easy to maintain.

Restore: Landscaping

A yard filled with weeds and patches of dead grass doesn't mean it should be ripped up and replaced with new sod. Today's homeowners want to spend more time enjoying their properties instead of maintaining them. Therefore, consider restoration of your landscape.

Something like xeriscaping does this. It's a low-cost and low-maintenance alternative that replaces large swaths of sod with rock gardens, walking paths, and succulent plants. As these areas require little or no water, homeowners save money on their utilities.

Renovate: A Bigger Garage

Like the kitchen, the garage has become a focal point of the home. It's also a perfect place to add storage solutions. There are plenty of methods, both low-cost and expensive, that can be used to expand a garage and make it easy to maintain. In the end, buyers will consider it a plus to keep their vehicles out of the elements.

These are only a few suggestions on what to renovate or restore in a home to bring the best bang for a buck. In the end, it's up to the homeowner to make the final decision. Use the above suggestions when making the necessary considerations. For more information, check out the ideas for kitchen renovations in Willoughby.