The Best Home Features That Increase Resale Value

Homeowners want the highest and best return on their investment. But not all home improvement projects return the same increase in value. For instance, while certain features can drastically increase a home's resale price, others may not offer that good return.
And while nobody expects a seller to price a home under market value, knowing which home features attract buyers and boost resale price can help homeowners make some savvy upgrades ahead of the sale. Three of the most valuable and desirable home features in the stakes real estate game, all on ADU ivory tower, to be dissected below.
1. Curb Appeal and Landscaping
The exterior of a home is what draws potential buyers in. A neat and attractive exterior can set a favorable tone for buyers so they are more excited to view the inside of the home.
How to Enhance Curb Appeal:
- Ensure the lawn is green, well trimmed and weed-free.
- Plant bright blooms, bushes, and trees to provide a series of welcomes.
- Upgrade the front door by either replacing it or giving it a new coat of paint for a contemporary feel.
- Put in some outdoor lighting to showcase paths and landscaping aspects.
- Powerwashed driveway, sidewalks, exterior walls.
Curb appeal can have a dramatic impact on how well cared for a property looks, meaning the buyers will be more willing to write higher offers on better property.
2. Updated Kitchen
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and buyers take note of the state of the kitchen. An open kitchen in a good position can add thousands of dollars to your home at resale time.
Kitchen Improvements That Will Increase Home Value:
- Countertops: Quartz and granite are common materials giving a touch of elegance.
- Energy-Efficient Parts: Smart appliances and stainless steel attract buyers that want these features.
- Modern Cabinets: Retouch by refacing or painting the cabinets can make the kitchen look modern.
- New and Appealing Backsplash: A fresh backsplash can help improve the design of the kitchen.
- Functional Layouts: Open concept kitchens with a island or breakfast bar are a great selling feature.
Even small enhancements to the kitchen typically yield a high return when homeowners sell their properties.
3. Modern Bathrooms
Bathrooms are another essential space that buyers look at when deciding whether or not to buy a house. This means a bathroom with old features can turn away buyers and decrease a property value, whereas a stylish modern bathroom can make a great first impression.
High-Value Home Improvements: Bathrooms
- Install New Fixtures: Replacing sinks, faucets, and showerheads with more modern ones can give your space a facelift in an instant.
- Walk-in Showers: Buyers are more inclined to look for larger walk-in showers than traditional tubs.
- Double vanity sinks: Especially in homes with more than one bathroom, houses that feature double vanity sinks are very attractive to buyers.
- While flooring is often one of the last places you think to upgrade, durable and fashionable waterproof vinyl offer an excellent solution.
- Storage: Built-in shelves or vanity storage can be helpful in maximizing space
Buyers are assured that if the bathroom is clean, bright, and with an updated look, then the whole house is also taken care of.
4. Energy-Efficient Features
With energy prices on the rise, buyers are also seeking out homes that have energy-saving features. Utility bills decrease when investing in eco-friendly upgrades and resale value increases as well.
Most Effective Technologies For Energy Efficient Homes:
- Solar Panels: Solar panels are a bonus for many buyers who are looking for a sustainable home and one that will save them money long term.
- Storm Windows: Double-pane and also shielded windows help manage temperature level and also reduced power bills.
- Smart Thermostats: Things like the Nest or Ecobee that help homeowners manage heating and cooling.
- LED Lighting: Energy-efficient LED light bulbs and fixtures contribute a modern touch.
- High-Efficiency Heating and Cooling System: A new heating and cooling system can increase the appeal of the home to prospective buyers.
Homes that help home owners save money in the long run make them energy-efficient and tend to sell faster.
5. Smart Home Technology
Homebuyers who are interested in convenience and security have warming up to smart home features and technology. Kazem says, "In today's competitive market, homes that offer cutting-edge features are bound to catch people's interest."
The Smart Home Amenities That Will Attract Buyers:
- Functional: Video doorbells, surveillance cameras, and smart locks keep you safe.
- Programmable lights are nice to have: Smart lights that adjust to schedules or voice command.
- Smart Assistants: Amazon Alexa and Google Home and other smart devices give our cooking a modern twist.
- Smart Garage Doors: These automated garage doors can be controlled through smartphone apps.
- Automatic Sprinkler System: The smart irrigation system helps save water and enables quick installation.
Smart home features are convenient for many buyers, which means they're a great asset to have before selling.
6. Hardwood Flooring
Suppose flooring is an integral part of overall home appeal. Even though carpet used to be the hottest thing, most buyers today look for hardwood or laminate flooring since they are much easier to maintain while also giving off a more sophisticated appearance.
Is hardwood flooring worth the increase to home value:
- It takes on an upscale and trendy look.
- More quickly cleaned and maintained than carpet.
- More hypoallergenic and friendlier to allergy suffers.
- Enhances the value of a home.
If authentic wood is unaffordable, a high-end laminate or engineered hardwood floor can give you a similar look for less money.
7. Additional Living Space
Additional living space is a selling point, whether created by way of an additional room, finished basement or converted attic. Home buyers love square footage that is functional.
How to Expand your Living Space:
- Basement Conversion: Converting a basement into a liveable space (home office, gym or entertainment room), provides return on investment.
- Home Office Addition: With remote work on the rise, there has been an increase in the need for dedicated home office spaces.
- Open Floor Plan — If the walls are non-structural, bringing down walls can give a home a brighter more contemporary feel.
- Create an Outdoor Living Space: Patios, decks, and screened-in porches increase functional living areas.
You'll be in the market for more buyers if your home has more liveable space – thus, increasing its resale value.
8. Ample Storage Space
Storage space is another great attraction Feature buyers Look in the house or apartment. It can make a home seem small or even less usable with a lack of storage space.
Ways to Improve Storage:
- Put in some built-in shelves and cabinets.
- Install closet organizers to utilize every inch of space.
- Revamp Kitchen Pantry Storage A Kitchen Pantry Storage Pull-Out Shelf
- Make use of garage storage systems for better organization.
If you design storage solutions properly, it can make every home feel more spacious and efficient.
9. Neutral Paint and New Paint
Repainting a home is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve a home's resale value. It gives any home a clean, contemporary and move-in ready feel.
The Top Paint Color for Selling a House
- Light Gray: For a contemporary and elegant appearance.
- Beige or Warm Taupe: Creates a warm and cozy feel.
- Off-white: Makes everything look fresh and bright.
- Pale Blue or Green: A decorative dash of color in moderation will not turn-off buyers
When choosing colors, avoid bold or personal colors, as not every buyer will appreciate the look.
Conclusion
If you are planning to sell your house, you can do so by adding features that can increase the resale value of a long home. Modern kitchens and bathrooms, energy-efficient upgrades, smart home technology, and bonus living space add value for buyers.
Homeowners can maximise their returns and sell their homes faster for more by concentrating on improvements that will improve form, fit and function. Whether you are doing minor updates or major renovations, these home features will make your home stand out from the competition in the current real estate market.