Over the past few decades, the kitchen was the average homebuyer’s focus when it came to choosing a future place of residence. In 2011, however, things changed – the bathroom became more important to buyers than kitchens for the first time in nearly thirty years, and the emphasis on bathrooms continues to this day. Whether you plan on staying in your home for a while or are looking to sell as soon as possible, here are some bathroom upgrades and renovations with the best return on investment.
Add an Additional Bathroom
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), adding an additional bathroom, or even half bathroom, can add significant value to your home. This is especially true in older homes where bathrooms are at a premium. If your home has less than one bathroom per two inhabitants, adding an additional bathroom could help you sell your home when the time is right. According to NAHB, a half bath can add up to 10.5 percent to a home’s value, while a full bath can tack on an addition 20 percent. If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford the estimated $50,000 for a new bath, give your existing bathroom a facelift with the following tips.
Add an Extra Sink
Many homebuyers are looking for a master bathroom with two sinks, a shower, and great lighting. Not only will adding an extra sink increase the resale value of your home, but it’ll make getting ready in the morning easier for you and your family in the meantime. Unfortunately, not every bathroom has the space for a double vanity – before shopping for a vanity upgrade, be sure to measure the space and keep the measurements with you at all times. There’s nothing worse than purchasing a brand new fixture and, only after having it shipped and unpacked, realizing it’s too big for your space.
Remove Popcorn Ceiling
If your home has unsightly and outdated popcorn ceilings, it’ll be one of the first things a potential homebuyer notices. Fortunately, it’s surprisingly easy (and cheap!) to remove. There’s tons of tutorials available online and, in most cases, all you’ll need is a garden sprayer, water, drop cloths, plastic sheets, a window fan for ventilation, a putty knife, and a DIY-type friend to help you with the process. Please note: if your home was built before 1979, get the popcorn ceiling tested for asbestos before beginning the project. Simply set down a small area, scrape a sample into a plastic bag, and have a professional test the sample for traces of asbestos.
Install Eco-Friendly Fixtures
Eco-friendly everything is all the rage, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. If you don’t have the cash or the DIY spirit for the above upgrades, try replacing your faucets and showerheads with eco-friendly alternatives. Whether your prospective buyers are eco conscious or not, you can lure them in with promises of lower utility bills. Fortunately, eco-friendly fixtures can fit virtually every budget – those with a smaller budget can replace their sink faucets and showerheads, while those with more money to spend can replace their water-guzzling toilets with low-flow alternatives.