When you start to think about selling your home, you’ll likely wonder if there are any home improvement projects that are worth the investment to raise your home’s value. There almost always are and there are a lot of different ideas to consider. Most people first think of painting, the appliances, and how “smart” their home is. There are few things that tend to slip under the radar, however, that have a big impact on the value of the house.
Roofing
An aging roof and especially a leaking roof need to be addressed prior to listing your home. It can be a large expense, but it’s not something a potential buyer will want to take care of right after buying a house. Having a brand new one installed will provide better curb appeal and peace of mind for buyers.
If your roof is nowhere near the end of its life span you should leave it as is, but if it’s nearing the end, you should seriously consider replacing it. Then you can market it as having a freshly installed roof which will be appealing to serious buyers.
Windows
Your windows have an immediate effect on curb appeal. They’re one of the first things people notice when they look at a home and they are especially attention-grabbing in two scenarios: brand new or aging poorly. Brand new windows seem to brighten up any home while dated or deteriorating ones really drag a home down. They also impact your utility bills and that is something a potential buyer will consider.
So how can you tell if it’s time to replace yours? High-quality windows tend to last around 20 years, but the best way to tell is to simply take a good look at them. Signs of aging like moisture between panes, warping, rot, and drafts are good indicators that windows need to be replaced.
HVAC
This one might be the most overlooked, but an older HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) system is a big turn-off for potential buyers. To them, an old HVAC system means two things: an expensive replacement project and high utility bills. If yours is 10 years old or more, you should seriously consider replacing it. Heating and AC are used constantly and a buyer will feel comforted knowing that they will have unrestricted access to them for years to come without any problems.
If you think yours might need to be replaced, get an opinion from multiple different HVAC professionals. That way, you’ll get an honest opinion and a few different quotes. An energy-efficient HVAC system is sure to raise your home’s value.
As proud members of the esteemed, small-knit Eden Prairie small business community, we are active participants in everything our area has to offer. Since 1995, we’ve been committed to earning the trust of our community. With over 4,500 homes sold in our region, we have the knowledge and experience you need when you are looking to list or buy a home in Eden Prairie. Give us a call today and experience for yourself how we became the #1 sales team in Eden Prairie.