Remodeling for Resale: What Buyers Are Looking For

• A realtor or specialty remodeling company can help you identify the best remodel projects for resale value.
• Value-adding home improvements for resale can both increase your sales price and speed up the sales process.
• Focus on neutral high-return remodel projects that don’t make your home too niche or custom.

The real estate market in the Lehigh Valley is booming, and remodeling for resale can deliver a high ROI, boosting your sale price and shortening your time on the market. There are some home remodeling ROI projects that offer the highest ROI in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, and strategic homeowners can choose the projects that best fit their budget, timeline, and home’s current condition. See if these high-ROI upgrades that increase home value are right for you, and then reach out to Spectrum Homes to create a professional plan.

High-Return Remodel Projects That Maximize Value

The best remodel projects for resale value usually center around kitchens and bathrooms. Everything from fully transforming the space to adding chic storage can make prospective buyers submit high offers. Consider: 

• Kitchen upgrades. Switch to new energy-efficient (and matching!) appliances, upgrade the countertop to a durable quartz or granite surface, and reface the cabinets.
• Bathroom upgrades. Modernize the features and installations so they are bright, clean, and open up the space. 
• More storage. Upgrade existing spaces with in-built storage. Key areas are your pantry and bedroom closets. 

Prioritizing Functionality and Timeless Design

When you’re remodeling for resale, it’s important to prioritize what buyers generally want. Opt for neutral fixtures and upgrades. For example, remodeled homes should have: 

• Neutral or classic colors for new flooring and tile
• Premium but standard appliances and fixtures
• Features that are very durable and well-constructed
• Closet storage inserts that work well for general storage and use, rather than custom or niche applications

Ultimately, the goal is to create a blank canvas that buyers can see themselves and their belongings in. Strikingly custom features or bright accent colors can distract prospective buyers, dissuade them, and make the home seem too niche. This rule about what buyers want in a renovated home also applies to smaller interior decorating projects, not just remodeling: choose neutral paint colors and furniture that helps visitors imagine their ideal home layout without being too distracting. 

Balancing Personal Taste With Market Appeal

Traditional remodeling projects centered around customization and what you personally wanted in your home. The goal is to make the home move-in ready for someone else. Here are some quick rules of thumb that can help.

• Show your personal taste in interior decor items. Pillows, patio rugs, and small accessories are the perfect place to add unique charm to your home when it goes on the market. These can add bursts of color and style to the neutral renovation upgrades you make.
• Don’t over-improve. Contextualize your projects relative to other home sales in your neighborhood (and your realtor can help provide the data, or you can reach out to Spectrum Homes for local insights).

Zero in on local market trends in your specific neighborhood and neighborhoods like yours in surrounding towns to identify popular upgrades, and then choose final finishes and details that will broadly appeal to homebuyers exploring your neighborhood.

Start Your Value-Adding Renovation With Spectrum Homes

Improving your home’s value through remodeling offers several benefits, such as a shorter time on the market, a higher sale price, and a cleaner offer and negotiation process without lots of back-and-forth or nitpicking. At Spectrum Homes, we specialize in value-adding home improvements that make selling your home easier. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn about the highest-ROI renovations for homes like yours.