6 Home Upgrades That Improve Your Life — Not Just Your Resale Value
It's easy to get caught up in renovations that promise a big return when it's time to sell. After all, you want to make your home as attractive as possible to get the biggest return.
But if you're planning to stay in your home for years, the upgrades with the biggest return on investment aren't always the ones that photograph well.
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Here's where experts say your renovation dollars can have the biggest impact.
1. Upgrades That Prioritize Functionality
The best renovations solve everyday frustrations rather than making a home look more luxurious, according to Rick Gudenkauf, general manager and operations at Quality Structures.
"Functionality comes first, then aesthetics,” he said. Improvements such as more storage, better lighting and a better floor plan are generally more valuable since they can improve your daily life, he added.
Liron Knot, a licensed general contractor and owner of California Bay Builders & Remodeling, agreed that the best upgrades change “how the house works, not how it looks.” For example, “Opening up a closed kitchen so whoever's cooking isn't stuck in there alone. Real storage where the mess actually piles up. Fixing a layout where you walk through three rooms to get anywhere," Knot said.
2. Invisible Upgrades That Improve Quality of Life
Other important upgrades include those that may fall “behind the scenes” but improve quality of life such as better insulation, air sealing and HVAC improvements.
Cameron Walker, a real estate expert and manager of the agent network at Clever Real Estate, suggested that air sealing and insulation “will pay for themselves fast because they cut down on the costs of heating and cooling.”
Another great upgrade is a smart thermostat, which Walker said can save the average household at least $50 a year. Newer heating systems will save money over older heating systems and switching to LED lighting will cut your lighting costs by about 75%, he added.
Knot recommended a new roof with "real insulation under it," as well as siding or stucco “that actually seals the house up,” as well as drainage and waterproofing upgrades. In the long run, fancy finishes do little for a home's value. "[Then] the finishes come out in five years when something behind the wall goes," he added.
3. Build for the Future Without Hurting Resale
You don't have to choose between enjoying your home now and preserving its value later. Walker suggested improving the “bones” of your home first, like systems, layouts, and energy efficient options.
Gudenkauf stressed upgrades that improve everyday life, especially if you plan to stay in the same home for several years. At the same time, he said, "Avoid making too-personal renovations that would make the house harder to sell later."
Resale value follows “from good work and a layout that makes sense, and that's the same thing that makes a house good to live in,” Knot said.
4. Don't Spend Big on Features You'll Rarely Use
Some of the most expensive remodels add surprisingly little satisfaction or return on investment.
Walker pointed out that "Everything… built to impress your guests will likely not pay you back in happiness." A few other renovations that hurt your quality of life can include spas, “which turn into dust collectors,” he added.
Avoid fancy bathrooms with oversized tubs, pricey countertops and “luxe finishes,” Gudenkauf added. “Aesthetic but pointless remodels that do nothing to improve the way you live are often overrated.”
5. Small, Affordable Upgrades
Not every meaningful upgrade requires a major renovation. Many of the improvements experts recommend don’t cost much but improve comfort.
Knot suggested focusing on lighting and paint. "Good lighting changes a room more than most remodels and costs a fraction."
Budget-friendly updates can include fresh paint, replacing light fixtures with dimmer switches, cabinet hardware and faucets, as well as weatherstripping, Walker said.
6. Upgrades That Help You Stay in Your Home Longer
If you plan to age in place in your home, accessibility improvements are least expensive when done during planned remodels and can make a home more comfortable for years to come.
Gudenkauf pointed toward “zero-step entrances, wider doorways, walk-in showers, lever door handles and improved lighting” as ways to make a house safer.
Other renovations include curbless showers blocking in the walls for grab bars before you close it up.
“That last one costs almost nothing during a remodel and thousands to go back and do later," Gudenkauf added.
The upgrades that improve everyday life are often the same ones that stand the test of time.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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