HEARTH & HOME
Upgrades for Home Sales Season
By Rhonda Shrum Bodnar
Spring months typically signal the start of the big selling season in real estate - with good reason . When the weather gets nice , potential buyers are much more apt to be out on weekends , viewing open houses - not to mention that the actual act of moving , while never pleasant , is considered much more tolerable when the weather is comfortable . Therefore , spring is when houses pop up for sale everywhere .
This year , according to realtor . com , the 2018 buying market has already begun , with competition for houses fierce . When competition is tough , savvy sellers take a keen look at their house before listing and invest in renovations that buyers are eagerly seeking . But not all upgrades are equal , and some renovations pack more punch than others . So what renovations will give you the best return on your investment when it comes time to sell ?
The Bathroom
Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes . Both rooms are nonnegotiable , and sometimes the number of bathrooms can be a make or break for a buyer . Old bathrooms tend to leave impressions of being unsanitary , and old plumbing can be a hassle that new buyers just don ’ t want to deal with . For maximum return on investment , upgrades should be classic , timeless and neutral . This is not the time to try out blue tile or put in a luxury tub . Focus on fixes that make a buyer feel like they ’ re at home , without going overboard on things like a waterfall shower head .
Laundry Room / Mudroom , Basement and Outdoor Spaces
According to St . Louis realtor Christina Swyers , specialty improvements like building a mudroom , finishing a basement , or adding an outdoor kitchen to the patio can add big bucks to your home sale . If you ’ re in Clayton , Ladue or Chesterfield , don ’ t forget the high-end finishes . Swyers said that homes over the $ 300,000 mark will definitely require luxury upgrades .
The St . Louis housing market is hot , and now is the time to spruce up your own house for the best return when you get ready to sell .
Bodnar is a real estate investor and home renovator and the owner of RAD Real Estate in St . Louis . Connect with her on Facebook , Instagram , or via email at askrhonda @ radrealestatestl . com .
This kitchen features GE ’ s Café Pro Range
The Kitchen
“ The kitchen is the heart of the home .” You ’ ll find this quote on plenty of decorative items lining store shelves , because it ’ s true . The kitchen is not just where a family cooks and eats , it ’ s a congregation room for social gatherings with family and friends , where children do homework , where mom and dad sit together and pay the bills . It has emotion attached to it , therefore renovating this room should be the first stop on your upgrade checklist . While some upgrades can be made inexpensively - like updating cabinet hardware or investing in some trendy lighting - most buyers are looking for that wow factor that they see on HGTV . Right now , white , gray and black kitchens are popular . Add some gold hardware , a farmhouse sink , subway tile and floating shelves , and you ’ ve got an on-trend room that is sure to attract buyers . For real glamour , invest in a dramatic quartz countertop , like the Brittanicca from Cambria collection .
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY 57