6 Home Projects to Increase Your Northern Virginia Home Selling Value

If you own a home and you’ve been wondering which home improvement and replacement projects will provide the most bang for your buck, you’ll put yourself in a better position when it comes time to sell if you pursue projects that will attract buyers.

The benefit is that you can enjoy and use the upgrades while you’re still in the house, and then ultimately increase your Northern Virginia home selling value. 

6 Home Projects That Can Increase Your Northern Virginia Home Selling Value

The trick is knowing how much you can expect to recover when you sell the house. When it comes to mid-range projects and replacements, Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost Vs. Value Report reveals that for the South Atlantic region, there is a whole range of upgrades and projects that will help add value to your house. The projects that will give you the most bang for your buck include:

• A steel entry door replacement. In fact, the survey found that if you spend $1,119 for a new door, you’ll recover $1,130 when you sell the home. A new door will help boost your curb appeal and that all-important first impression. In addition, steel doors are energy-efficient, secure, easy to maintain, and offer good insulating value.
• A wood deck addition. Northern Virginians love relaxing and entertaining outdoors. Your house is sure to entice a buyer more quickly with a wood deck. A 16-by-20 foot wood deck in a simple linear pattern with a built-in bench and planter will cost you about $8,700 to build; you can expect to recover $7,715. The project also includes posts and railings to keep the little ones safe.
• Garage door replacement. You’ll recover about 89 percent of the average $1,460 cost of a new, uninsulated, single-layer, four-section garage door. You can spend more for insulation or for more sophisticated doors. Typically, the garage door can consume about 40 percent of a house’s façade. Replacing a door that is outdated or worn can add visual interest to the house and drastically increase your curb appeal. You can choose a color to complement the color of your house or trim, adding a whole new look.
• Adding an attic bedroom. If you have a bit more available in the remodeling budget, you can consider converting your attic into a bedroom. Anytime you can increase the number of bedrooms, you’re adding value to the house. The Cost Vs. Value Report says if you spend about $46,000 for the conversion of a 15-by-15-foot space into a bedroom and a 5-by-7-foot addition of a bathroom, you can expect to recoup about $40,500. The project includes four new windows, closet space, insulating and finishing walls and the ceiling, carpeting, extending the HVAC to the new bedroom, and electrical and lighting.
• Replacing windows. If you replace 10 3-by-5-foot double-hung window with insulated wood replacement windows, you’ll spend about $10,400 and will recover about $8,750. This figure takes into account exterior clad in vinyl or aluminum.

In addition to making improvements and replacements, making your house clean and clutter-free when you decide to sell is essential. Clear your counters and closets, remove extra furniture, and eliminate any knickknacks and mementos. You want to create a clean slate for potential buyers so they can envision their family living there. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can make more money when selling your home click the link below. By selling your home through Glass House Real Estate, you will be able to sell your home fast and receive a cash back rebate!