5 Remodeling Projects That Can Increase Resale Value

Home is where the heart is. And sometimes the heart gets tired of dealing with dated and cracked bathroom countertops or kitchen sinks with barely enough room to wash dishes in wondering, “This should be better. This needs to be better.”

Well, not only can you remodel your home to fit your design and aesthetic needs, but your project can also increase the appreciation and resale value of your property if done correctly. In other words, you do indeed get more bang for your buck.

For over 15 years, we at Custom Built have overseen thousands of successful remodeling projects that have elevated our clients’ homes and increased their property value.

In this article, you will learn more about the factors outside of remodeling that affect appreciation and resale value, and which projects are more likely to result in a higher return on your investment:

Factors Outside of Remodeling that Affect Appreciation and Resale Value

Location and Neighborhood

At its core, where the population is increasing, the cost of housing rises. Since the 2008 Recession, we’ve seen homeowners moving to more affordable areas of their region. As more people settle in these “boom towns,” the value of the area automatically rises with the tide.

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that make an area, like Lansing, more valuable to pursue a remodel:

• Excellent school districts (Okemos Public Schools, East Lansing School District)

• Business developments and offices (Oak Grove Office Park, Crowne Point Business Park)

• Local businesses/employers (Sparrow Health System, McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, General Motors, State of Michigan, Jackson National, Michigan State University, Auto-Owners Insurance, Michigan State Police)

If you live in an area with any of the above benefits, it’s likely that your house has already been appreciating since you bought it. 

Market Demand

When you compare the housing market region by region, odds are you’ll end up with large differences in demand.

In areas such as Detroit or Chicago, you’ll find neighborhoods with more expensive housing based on the way the region’s value has increased over time. However, this actually hurts homeowners who are trying to resell their homes in those neighborhoods. Why does this happen?

As the economy and housing market fluctuate, not many people are looking to buy expensive housing. This is why it’s important to understand the current value of your home and budget your remodel accordingly to avoid hitting the price cap. 

Property Type

That’s where property type and current value come into play.

For instance, if you live in a neighborhood that's capped at $200,000 and you put $400,000 into remodeling your entire home, you likely won’t see a great ROI. On the other hand, if you put that $400,000 addition on a $600,000 home, your resale value will increase without breaking the limit of your initial property value.

Remodeling Projects with High Potential for Appreciation/Resale Value

Now that we’ve covered the different factors that influence the appreciation and resale value of your home, let’s review some of the remodeling projects that’ll increase that resale value with time. Using The Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2023, we’ll take a closer look at the Job Cost, Resale Value, and Cost Recouped from each remodel in the Greater Lansing Area:

Project Type Key

Each project type comes with terminology that further describes the scope of the remodel or addition you can expect. To easily follow along with our ROI tables, here is what each term means:

• Major Remodel: A large remodeling or building project that affects a property's layout, systems, or structure significantly.

• Minor Remodel: A less intense restoration of a particular room or part of a house. Instead of significant structural alterations or total overhauls, it often entails cosmetic upgrades and improvements.

• Midrange: A midrange remodel seeks to improve a space's use, appeal, and value without undergoing a major remodel.

• Upscale: A high-end remodeling build involving opulent and premium additions, components, and finishes.

• Universal Design: A redesign that prioritizes creating livable areas that are usable and accessible for individuals of all ages, abilities, and degrees of mobility.

Kitchen Renovations

Have you been looking at the same dated cabinets for a decade? Or using an inconsistent range that may or may not cook your eggs evenly? Remodeling your kitchen will help increase the value of your resale simply via modernizing your space.

We recommend the following remodeling projects to increase the appreciation/resale value of your culinary space and home:

• Finished countertops
• High-quality wooden cabinets
• Newer appliances (Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave, etc.)

Bathroom Remodels

From the start of morning routines to daily usage, bathrooms are crucial to our everyday lives. No matter the size, issues such as faulty sinks, low-pressure toilets, or outdated shower areas can affect the rest of your day.

Using the following project ideas, a remodeled bathroom can elevate your daily mood and subsequently increase your home’s resale value:

• Upgrade fixtures, lighting, and finishes
• Increase storage and improve layout
• Incorporate energy-efficient features

Curb Appeal Enhancements

Ever driven by a house and went, “Wow, I love what they did with those rose bushes”? This is called “curb appeal.” Essentially, curb appeal is the attractiveness of a home for sale based on how it looks on the street.

Let’s take a look at a few ways you can increase your home’s curb appeal:

• Upgrade your garage door from 1 panel to 2 or 4 panels
• Update your home’s exterior painting with a trending color
• Add foliage native to Lansing or plant a garden in the front yard
• Remove existing door and build larger entryway with dual-lighting and dual-windows on each side
• Using fiber-cement or vinyl, strengthen the siding of your home while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance
• Upgrade the durability of your front door with factory-finished steel that matches the color (or different color) of your original door

Basement Remodel

Many homeowners aren’t aware of the possibilities behind finishing and remodeling their basements. While this remodeling project doesn’t yield the highest return on investment, basement finishes are often a great way to add more living space. This is mostly because you have more square footage to work with, as your basements mirror the overall foundation of your home.

Take a look at how you can upgrade your basement space to increase your home’s appreciation:

• Install a lower-level kitchen or bar area
• Add upgraded lighting fixtures and window options
• Add bedrooms, bathrooms, or recreational areas (at-home gym, game room, etc.)

If you want to learn more about how you can increase the ROI of your basement, read our top ways to elevate your basement space.

Deck Addition

Want to take advantage of your outdoor space? Building a deck will allow you and future homeowners to enjoy an engaging living space with plenty of decoration and lifestyle opportunities.

Even better? Choosing a composite deck will increase the lifespan of your outdoor area, backed up by reliable warranties and high-quality materials. If you want to learn more about the differences between wood and composite decking, take a look at our article.

For now, let’s review other ways you can upgrade your outdoor living space:

• Install a hot tub or pool for cool winter nights or hot summer days

• Add built-in benches or a pergola to create an elevated dining area

• Install an outdoor kitchen or grill area that’ll anchor family dinner nights for years to come

Next steps to remodeling your home

We all ideally want to live in our homes for the foreseeable future. But sometimes it’s hard to imagine what kind of work could be done to not only increase your value of living, but the resale value of your home.

With over 15+ years of design-build experience, we have guided homeowners through remodels that create spaces they love and support future appreciation goals.

Using this information, you can now properly evaluate your remodeling goals and how they will impact your home’s resale value.

To learn more about how to approach your home remodel and find the right contractor to complete it, read the following articles:

• How Much Does a Home Addition Cost at Custom Built?
  
• Top 4 Differences Between a Design-Build Firm and a General Contractor
• Top 3 Financing Options for your Home Remodel (And Which is Right For You)