Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
By now we all know the best places to add value to a home: kitchens are number one, with bathrooms following closely behind. And then there’s curb appeal, arguably just as important for making a good first impression. But what about the rest of the house? Don’t forget these six unexpected places when trying to add value to your home.
Mudroom
Mudrooms may not be the most glamorous spot in your house, but they’ve certainly become popular and you shouldn’t overlook the chance to add a little value in this space. If it’s in your budget, I would recommend tile floors with an electric floor warming system; plenty of storage for coats, shoes and bags, and even a closet for awkwardly-sized cleaning tools like vacuums and mops.
Laundry Room
Laundry rooms have always been utilitarian, and looks traditionally weren’t much of a consideration. But in the last few years, people have begun to see that there’s so much potential in these rooms – both for adding value and simply to make them more pleasant places to spend time. Like mudrooms, I recommend heated floors and custom storage. I also like to include a nice tile backsplash where it makes sense. Measuring ROI here isn’t as easy as it is in a kitchen or bathroom, but a stylish and functional laundry space will almost certainly add some value.
Related: 18 Laundry Room Ideas That Are Beyond Stylish (And Super Functional)
Living Room
Living rooms are usually quite simple, and adding value through renovations can be tough. However, hardwood floors, large windows and built-in bookcases or cabinetry can help. When it comes to built-ins, keep the design relatively simple and practical (for example, don’t build them to fit specific items of yours). You want potential buyers to be able to fit their own items easily, so stick with standard sizing for any shelves or drawers.
Entryway
Updating your entryway won’t do as much in terms of adding value, but if it isn’t currently presenting well, it could cost you. Just like the exterior entrance of your home, it sets the stage for what people are about to see – and you want it to look as fresh and inviting as possible. I suggest good lighting, storage for coats and shoes, a table surface for dropping keys and mail, as well as somewhere to sit down while you put on shoes.
Related: 25 Eye-Catching Entryways That Make the Ultimate First Impression
Dining Room
Like the living room, there isn’t a whole lot that can be done to add value to a dining space. However, simple architectural details will help. You don’t need to spend a lot of money doing traditional applications, but rather use chair rail to create simple, inexpensive looks. Also, recessed lighting combined with a centre fixture, as well as hardwood flooring should be on the list.
Furnace Room
Most people forget all about this room when preparing their home for sale. But you can’t increase the value of your home by doing renos in the kitchen or bathroom if the mechanics are outdated or in bad repair. Every informed homebuyer is going to insist on an inspection; and finding out the home needs a new water heater or has a lousy central vac system will bring everyone back to the bargaining table. So, make sure these mechanical items are updated. Also, don’t forget to clean the furnace room before a showing. If the room is clean and all the appliances are sparkling and free of dust, it will make everything look newer.
Images Courtesy of HGTV Canada
