Feeling like your home needs a fresh look, but wondering if you’ll get your money back when and if you decide sell? You may be surprised to find which projects get top dollar return on your remodel and home improvement dollar. According to the Remodeling 2012–13 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), in the San Francisco bay area, only four projects claim a 90 percent or better return. So before you take a trip to the local lumber yard or hardware store, take minute to read up.
Topping the list with the greatest return at 96.1 percent is the addition of a wood deck. Skip those fancy new composite decking materials, Remodeling magazine says go for a classic pressure treated wood decking material, add in a couple of built-in benches and planter boxes of the same material and you’ll be enjoying the outdoors and a more lucrative sale when you put your home on the market. According to Anthony Giannotti of McKinnon Lumber in downtown Hollister “The best and most popular decking product for our local climate is redwood, because of it natural weather and pest resistance.” Giannotti also recommends a coat of paint or stain to extend the life of the deck.
Next on the list is a new front door. Your home will make a great first impression by using a paint color that is punchy, but not garish and stays true to your home’s architectural style. Kevin Mifsud of Hollister Paint says “Country Redwood and Cottage Red followed by black and dark green are hot selling paint colors for front doors this year.” Choose a high gloss finish, for a more contemporary look and add new hardware for the finishing touch.
The next improvement might surprise you a bit. It’s the garage door. Often ignored, they usually make up a large percentage of the front exterior of a home and therefore do play a big roll in a home’s curb appeal.
Lastly, Remodeling 2012–13 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) reports a return of 90 percent on investment in a minor kitchen remodel. Skip the total gut job though. When it comes to recouping your cost, keep the kitchen update simple, yet effective by maintaining the existing structure and layout. Instead, add new raised-panel door and drawer fronts for a big impact. Replace the sink and faucet as well as the appliances with updated, energy efficient versions. Don’t forget new floors and update your countertops with thicker, 2 inch slabs of solid surface materials with a honed, not polished finish for a look that is classic and current. Lastly, add on a fresh coat of paint and you’ll be cooking up a great return and enjoying a fresh new space.
Remodeling magazine tracks the average cost of the 35 top remodeling projects and the value they retain at resale. Complete data from the Remodeling 2012–13 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com. © 2012 Hanley Wood, LLC.