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4 Things You Can Easily Do to Increase Your Home’s Value
There are certain home improvement projects that will add more value to your home than others. The 2024 Cost vs. Value report is a good road map for home projects. The renovations listed are worthwhile ways to increase your home’s value, according to national averages in the report.
If you are selling your home or considering selling, these upgrades can easily attract homebuyers. Or, if you are simply looking to make updates to your home that make financial sense, these should maintain or increase your home’s market value.
1. Minor Kitchen Remodel, 96.1% Cost Recouped
There are different levels of kitchen remodeling. It can range from small changes to a complete overhaul of the space. Luckily, even a minor kitchen remodel should increase your home’s value. Details such as painting, adding a backsplash, and changing the cabinet hardware can give your kitchen a facelift.
If you’re ready to go further, add lighting or new, upgraded appliances. From there, changing the faces of the cabinets can also be a worthwhile home improvement project without breaking the bank. There are other ways to save on your 2025 kitchen remodel, such as keeping it simple and doing some of the work yourself.
2. Entry Door Replacement, 188.1% Cost Recouped
One of the biggest boosts to your home’s curb appeal (and market value) is the front door. Fiberglass or steel doors have a particularly high return on investment. In addition, they can also boost your home’s security and energy efficiency. Check out more information about replacing your front door, such as how to know if it’s time to do so and if you can do it yourself.
3. Garage Door Replacement, 193.9% Cost Recouped
Upgrading your garage door is another home improvement project that will add value to your home. There are many types of garage doors, so you have the opportunity as a home owner to purchase one within your price point and style. Most garage doors last 15-30 years, so this investment should last. You can also check out a chart of typical garage door costs here.
Although it’s possible for a skilled DIYer to install on their own, you may want to enlist the help of a professional. Bainbridge Island is also home to a local service vendor if needed: Bainbridge Island Garage Doors.
4. Manufactured Stone Veneer, 153.2% Cost Recouped
Manufactured stone veneer is another worthwhile home improvement project. While it looks like stone, it is usually touted for its lighter weight and ease of installation. Similarly, it can be used in a wide variety of different home projects. Inside your home, it can make a fireplace or accent wall stand out from the rest. Outdoors, it can enhance the front façade, pillars in the front of the house or even the chimney. Even the backyard can benefit. Sometimes it’s used to cover outdoor spaces like a BBQ area or an outdoor kitchen.
When deciding whether to use manufactured veneer stone or natural stone, consider the pros and cons of each. In some cases, natural stone may work better for your project even if it doesn’t have the same return on investment.
Bainbridge Island’s real estate market is strong. If you’re thinking of selling, reach out to any of our local experts. They would be happy to conduct a free Comparative Market Analysis. From there, you can discuss what upgrades would be most beneficial, local market trends, their top tier contractors, and your home selling timeline.
Useful Tips from a Local Interior Designer
Whether you’re wanting to update your home or you’re preparing to sell it, you’ll probably benefit from working with an interior designer. While there are many great local interior designers, we know that some of our agents here at our Windermere Bainbridge Island office are fans of Kim McCall Design, so we connected with Kim and her team to learn some tips of the trade.
Tell us about your team & the history of Kim McCall Design. How did you get started?
I am fortunate to have a talented, diverse team. We came together over the years with a shared passion for creating beautiful spaces.
I started my design practice in 2005 and my staging business began organically during the housing market crisis in 2008. The market was flooded with inventory and agents were looking to differentiate their listings and make them stand out. To help agents I provided consultations with their clients to prepare their homes for sale, and the rest is history!
Since then, we have grown into 3 warehouses with vast inventory for staging and a thriving interior design practice.
What interior design styles or trends are you seeing a lot of right now?
Clean, modern design in architecture, furniture, lighting, and plumbing is popular now. More smart home capabilities: programmable LED lighting, heating/cooling, security systems, and window coverings can all be controlled through a phone.
Are there any interior designer myths that you commonly hear?
The myth is that an interior designer comes into your home and imposes their own sense of style. Most clients know what they like but don’t know how to achieve their vision. I get to know my clients on a personal level to understand their wants and needs.
I simplify the process and guide them on a curated journey with the goal of elevating their home within their budget. I offer streamlined ideas and options that bring forth the client’s vision in an unexpected way. My goal is to make their house feel like their home.
What are a couple of ways people can refresh their home without spending a great deal?
Don’t be afraid to move furniture and art throughout your home. Sometimes, the smallest changes have a big impact on how we feel about our space. Many people hang their art too high. To achieve a gallery look, start by lowering your art to eye level height. Pair down by storing some of your collectibles and rotating your items on display.
Which local vendors, suppliers, or shops do you love to utilize?
Furnish Bainbridge, Tasdemir Rugs, Eagle Harbor Window Coverings, Modest Home, Mallory Paint Store, Conservatory Coastal Home, Clark Construction, Cogwheel Construction…This is just a short list we have so many great local options!
What home remodeling projects are the most popular right now? And why do you think this is?
Kitchen and bathroom remodel projects are the most popular. The kitchen is the heart of the home and serves as a gathering place for family and guests to enjoy. Bathrooms are a private space to unwind. I like to find a balance between form and function by pairing beautiful finishes with luxury appliances and fixtures.
Are there any interior designer social media accounts that inspire or excite you?
There are so many people that inspire me, to name a few: Amber Interiors, Studio McGee, Amy Storm & Company.
What’s one design secret that you can share with us?
Use plants and organic elements to soften spaces and add visual interest. Adding texture with rugs, textiles and accents can help to create a layered harmonious space.
Thanks Kim & team! For more ideas, check out our article about home decor inspiration, which features some great local finds.
8 Ways to Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Whether you’re thinking about selling your home or simply want to spruce up its exterior, now is a great time to focus on its curb appeal. Curb appeal includes the house’s exterior, yard, landscaping, and driveway. It’s the first thing people see when they come to your home. A welcoming exterior increases your home’s value on average by 7%. There are simple projects you can do to make your home look great and increase its curb appeal.
Paint the Front Door
Who doesn’t love an eye-catching front door? Painting your front door is a great way to increase your home’s curb appeal. As the entrance, it’s a signature aspect of your home and plays a big role in potential buyers’ perceptions. Before picking a color, think about what would best suit your home. There are many aspects to consider, and reviewing them can help you pick the best option. You’ll need to decide whether your house benefits most from a bold, elegant, or more neutral color. Painting a front door is an easy DIY project. Or, if you’re hiring a professional to do other painting projects, you can simply add the front door to the list. If you’ve decided to paint the door yourself, follow these instructions to get started.
Clean the Windows
Sparkling clean windows really enhance your home’s curb appeal. If your windows are looking filthy, this is a great time to remove the grime. Follow these tips for the best shine and to avoid streaking. The last thing you want is your windows drawing the wrong kind of attention on sunny days. If your home is two stories or more, you may want to hire a professional. It’s important to use caution when accessing hard-to-reach windows, and professional window cleaners have all the proper equipment.
Paint the Outside
If it’s been a while since you’ve paid attention to your home’s exterior, it might be time for a new coat of paint. You want your home to look top-notch in every possible way to improve its curb appeal. Before choosing a color, take time to research color combinations, factoring in your home’s overall look. This includes picking colors for the siding, trim, and front door. You’ll want to pick colors that complement each other or neutral colors with an eye-catching front door.
If your house has vinyl siding, power washing removes dirt to help it shine again. While you’re cleaning, check for damaged siding. You’ll want to fix this to avoid further damage and before listing your house.
Landscape Your Yard
Often potential buyers see the state of your yard as a broader indication of your home’s care and maintenance. As a result, gardening and landscaping play a key role in enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Start with the easiest tasks, such as tidying your yard and mowing your lawn. Next, tackle your garden. For a well-manicured look, add mulch to your garden beds. Plant flowers and foliage that give texture, depth, and pops of color. Depending on the time of year, you may also need to prune trees and/or trim hedges. Remember, each aspect of your yard combines to create an overall look, so you want to address all the little details to improve the big picture. For tips and advice, check out our Q&A with Bainbridge Gardens. This popular local garden center is operated by the third generation of the Harui family, and it has been in business for over 65 years.
Improve Your Front Porch
If you’ve neglected your front porch, you’re not alone. This area can get overlooked. Examine it carefully, looking for peeling paint and scuff marks. Often, the front porch receives a lot of wear and tear, both from our rainy weather and from heavy foot (and paw) traffic. It may be time to repaint or refinish it.
Once that’s taken care of, focus on how the porch serves as a natural transition area from the front yard to your home. Use potted plants to give it some charm and personality. Also, if there’s room, consider adding some new seating, such as a porch swing or nice outdoor chairs. This can help you enjoy the space more, and if you’re looking to sell, it can help buyers picture themselves relaxing there.
Power Wash the Driveway
Depending on the layout of your home, the driveway may play a big role in overall curb appeal. If the driveway leads to the front of your house, make sure you inspect and clean it thoroughly. A good power wash will get rid of layers of dirt and leaves. For driveways in disrepair, now is the time to invest in having it resurfaced. The last thing you want is prospective buyers driving over major bumps and potholes.
Fix Outdoor Lighting
Nice exterior lighting provides a lovely ambiance. Make sure all your outside lights are clean and in good working condition. Wash off dirt and cobwebs and replace bulbs as needed. If your yard is not well-lit, consider adding new lighting fixtures. This improves the overall appearance and safety of your home.
Get Expert Advice with the Windermere Ready Program
If you’d like to do more to increase your home’s value before putting it on the market, the Windermere Ready program is available. This program takes the guesswork out of how best to enhance your home by working with a local expert. A Windermere Real Estate agent creates a customized plan identifying the best updates to make (inside and outside) with the highest potential impact. Our brokers know what improvements will have the maximum effect on improving your property’s value. For improvement projects that are more involved, the Windermere Ready Program can provide up to $100,000 in assistance. When your home is sold, the loan is paid off in one lump sum. To ensure your home sells for the highest possible price in the shortest amount of time, you can contact us for more information.
Buying a Home to Remodel
For some, finding that dream home that truly encapsulates what they envision can be challenging. Maybe you found a beautiful home, but there are a few aspects that don’t align with your hopes. Thankfully, there’s always the option to buy a home with remodeling projects in mind. Whether you’re contemplating changing a couple of rooms or having a great deal of work done throughout the home, there are important considerations to make when buying a home to remodel.
Find the Right Home
When it comes to finding the best home for remodeling, it’s important to identify a property that aligns with your plans and also has solid return on investment potential. To determine how much a home’s value could increase, it helps to consider overall project costs within the context of local market conditions. Our local Windermere Real Estate agents live and work in the community and have expert knowledge of how much similar homes in the neighborhood have recently sold for.
Choose the Best Projects
When making decisions about which remodeling projects would be best, it really depends on what your plans are for the home. If you see the house as purely an investment property, then you’ll want to focus on projects that return the most at resale such as adding stone veneer, replacing the garage door, and boosting curb appeal. If you’re planning on moving in and staying awhile, then it’s best to pick projects that will improve your quality of life and overall happiness while living there. This really depends on your lifestyle and needs, so take time to think about what would be most beneficial for you and your family. Either way, before starting, make sure to evaluate whether any structural issues need to be addressed because that’s always the top priority.
Create a Budget
Before diving into plans, create an overall remodeling budget to determine which projects are affordable. Also, if you know you want a home that needs some work, it’s good to have all this information prepared in advance. That way, your real estate agent knows more of what you are looking for, given your price range and the scope of work you’re prepared to take on. Plus, your budget can guide lenders on how best to help you when structuring your loan. There are specific home renovation loans available. Ask your Windermere agent for more details.
Itemize Remodeling Costs
Once you’ve budgeted how much money you’re able to spend on remodeling, then it’s time to create a more detailed budget by itemizing remodeling costs. This budget should list all of the costs involved including permits, labor, materials, clean-up, etc. It’s good to be prepared, but in these situations, you also have to be ready for the unexpected. We’ve all heard stories about construction projects running over budget or contractors taking longer than estimated. To prepare for these scenarios, it’s best to build an additional 10% into your budget just to be safe. This way if the unexpected happens, you’ll still be able to achieve your goals.
Find a Great Contractor
After you develop a budget with contingency options, then it’s time to find a great local contractor. Asking your real estate agent as well as friends, family, and neighbors for referrals is the best place to start. If you receive multiple referrals, definitely contact all of them. It’s helpful to get several price quotes and compare them to online estimates. When you speak to contractors, request project bids and timelines. All this information will help you compare prices and identify the contractor who can complete the project within your preferred timeline. Tom Silva of This Old House has eight tips for hiring a contractor that are worth checking out.
Conduct Thorough Inspections
Since you’re planning on buying a home that requires remodeling, it’s very important to conduct a thorough home inspection. Any home that needs work is likely older and has already had several owners. An inspection provides a detailed list of all the home’s shortcomings and any major repairs that need to be done. It can also give you additional information about what’s required to make specific changes you have in mind. Having an in-depth analysis of the property’s condition puts you in a better position when making an offer.
4 Home Renovations that Return the Most at Resale
After months of working from home, you may have noticed some areas of your house that need refreshing. Well, before you spend thousands of dollars remodeling your bathroom, it might be helpful to know some of the renovations that return the most at resale. Below we have listed the West Coast’s average recoup values of four renovations that yield a high return on your investment.
Manufactured Stone Veneer: 119.5% Cost Recouped
Also known as faux stone, manufactured stone veneer is a human-made material designed to replicate the look of natural stone. This remodeling project tops our list at an average of 119.5% recouped value at resale. Manufactured Stone Veneer is incredibly versatile. If you are looking to give your house a modern look while retaining a rustic vibe, this remodeling project is perfect. Cultured Stone has more information on Manufactured Stone Veneer projects.
Garage Door Replacement: 117.1% Cost Recouped
We use our garage doors daily, and over the years, they are bound to have some wear and tear. Whether it’s the wood rotting, the track hardware malfunctioning, or just out of date technology, a garage door replacement is a safe investment with an average of 117.1% recouped value at resale. Most homes can benefit from a garage door replacement, but the Spruce can help you decide if you have more questions.
Entry Door Replacement: 87.9% Cost Recouped
Coming in third on our list are steel entry door replacements. Wood doors are beautiful. Unfortunately, they don’t withstand the test of time very well. Installing a new entry door made from steel will guarantee long-lasting beauty for years to come. Along with an 87.9% recoup value at resale, steel doors are a solid investment. Pella is an excellent resource if you are looking into more options on entry door replacements.
Minor Kitchen Remodel: 77.6% Cost Recouped
Everyone loves a kitchen that looks brand new with sparkling appliances and space to cook. A minor kitchen remodel can go a long way. Simply leave cabinets where they are and replace their fronts with new shaker-style wood panels. Then add new, modern hardware. Go a step further by replacing the oven range and the refrigerator with more energy-efficient models. Replace laminate countertops and upgrade your sink and faucet to really make your kitchen shine. Finish with a fresh coat of paint and you’ll be wishing you would’ve done this years ago.
Hopefully, this list gives you the inspiration to get started. And, these suggestions are just the beginning. If a renovation you want isn’t on this list, but it’s something you’ve always dreamt of, then don’t let us stop you from making it come true. For more information, check out Remodel Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. If you’re thinking of selling your home, check out our home seller’s checklist.
