Home Builders Blog New Jersey | NJ New Homes News

6 Upgrades to Increase the Value of Your Home

Written by Amy Wood | 19 October, 2019, 11:00AM

Upgrading your home with structural options or enhanced design features make it more personalized to your specific needs and taste. Additionally, these enhancements will also help you increase your home's long-term value. Before you decide on which modifications you’ll make to your Central NJ house, take a look at six upgrades that will boost your home’s value.

Kitchen Upgrades

Kitchens were fairly basic not that long ago. As long as you had a sink, Formica countertops, basic appliances and a few cabinets, you had everything you needed to create a meal. Today, homeowners want a lot more than just the basics.

Countertops and cabinets are the most common upgrades in the kitchen. Quartz and granite countertops are particularly popular and durable choices. Of course, it doesn’t make sense to upgrade the countertops and forget about the cabinets. Upgraded cabinetry will withstand the test of time from an aesthetic and practical perspective. Features such as soft-close doors and drawers are well-worth the investment over the long-term.

Other upgrade options include lighting, faucets, flooring and appliances. Whether you want smart appliances that can be controlled remotely or retro appliances that would look perfectly at home in a mid-century kitchen, high-quality brands are a must if you’re upgrading an executive home.

Upscale Bathrooms

Luxurious features improve the comfort of your bathroom and make it much more attractive to buyers when you’re ready to sell it one day. Upgrades you may want to consider include:

  • Stylish automatic faucets
  • Soft-close cabinets and drawers
  • Upgraded countertops and flooring
  • Additional lighting
  • Jetted tubs
  • Steam showers
  • Multiple shower heads
  • Sound systems
  • Skylights

Note that turning a half-bath into a full bath not only benefits your family and guests but can also increase your home’s value.

Expanded Room Sizes

Bigger houses tend to be valued and priced higher than smaller houses, even if the difference is only 100 square feet or less. Buyers certainly appreciate larger homes and may be more likely to add your home to their “must see” list if it’s bigger than nearby homes on the market.

Some builders offer the option to expand the kitchen, family room or master bedroom, or even add a brand new room to the home.  Room expansions don’t have to be large to be valuable. Extending your home by as little as two or four feet will improve your home’s value and marketability. Don’t forget about the garage when you contemplate room expansions. Upgrading from a two- to a three-car garage offers plenty of room for all of your cars or can provide more storage or workshop space.

Lush Landscaping

It takes a little imagination to appreciate the benefits of landscaping upgrades. Once you move into your new home, you'll want to consider hiring a landscaper to help you create that curb appeal you're envisioning. Adding more trees, bushes and perennials will improve your home’s exterior and marketability in the years to come.

What better place to enjoy your beautiful backyard than on a large deck or patio? Outdoor entertaining areas augment your living space during the spring and summer and provide a comfortable, attractive gathering place for your family and friends. They’ll also make your home more valuable to you and potential home buyers.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring has been popular for decades for good reason. The flooring is attractive, easy to clean and lasts years. When it becomes dull and scratched, it’s easily renewed by sanding, staining and sealing.

The flooring also increases your home’s value and enhances its appeal to buyers. In fact, hardwood flooring made the list of top 10 features buyers wanted in a recent National Association of Home Builders survey. Extending hardwood flooring throughout your entire home is easier and less expensive if you add it during the construction of your new home.

Laundry Rooms

Laundry rooms also made the NAHB’s top 10 list. The more convenient the room, the more it adds to the value of your house. Moving the room from the first to the second floor, a common upgrade option, saves you steps and makes doing laundry much more convenient.

Would you like to move to a brand new house that offers plenty of upgrades? Country Classics' new home communities in Central NJ give homeowners lots of different ways to personalize their homes. Contact our Sales Team today to learn more about our current availability, floor plans, and design options.

Sources:

National Association of Home Builders: NAHB Outlines Top Features Home Buyers Want for 2019

https://www.nahb.org/news-and-publications/press-releases/2019/02/nahb-outlines-top-features-home-buyers-want.aspx

HGTV: Kitchen Countertop Styles and Trends

https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/kitchen-remodel/kitchen-countertop-styles-and-trends-pictures