What Additions Add Value to a Home?

Building an addition is a great way to gain livable space for your family without having to leave the home you love and move into a larger one. Plus, along with providing an immediate benefit to everyone in your household, just about any addition will increase the value of your property over the long run.

With that said, when it comes time to sell your home, you may not recoup the entire cost of a home addition project. Therefore, if you are not building an addition solely for your own benefit, but rather to create equity in your home (or perhaps both), keep in mind that certain home additions may be a better investment than others. To get the most bang for your buck, focus on the elements that many home buyers like and want to see.

Some home additions that are likely to pay off include:

Master Suites & Bedrooms

When it comes to sleeping areas, bigger is generally better. Many potential home buyers find extra square footage to be very appealing. That’s probably easy to understand if you’ve ever tried to cram a full bedroom set into a too-small bedroom. What’s more, a spare bedroom offers virtually unlimited versatility; for instance, it can be used as a guest room, a home office, a playroom, an entertainment center, or a gym—or all of the above (at one time or another). Even better: Consider a two-story addition that includes both an upstairs master suite, complete with a spa-like bath and his-and-hers walk-in closets, and a downstairs living area.

Bathrooms

Usually, a sufficient number of bathrooms ranks near the top of every home buyer’s list of “must-haves.” By adding a master bath, a second full bath, or even a half bath, you can significantly enhance the appeal and sales potential of your home. On the whole, homes with newly remodeled bathrooms tend to sell more quickly. Plus, recent studies show that many homebuyers appreciate large bathrooms featuring certain amenities, such as a double vanity, a soaker tub, a walk-in shower, a dressing area, or a water closet.

Garages

For potential homebuyers who have never owned a home with a garage, the absence of one might not be a deal-breaker. But for those who have previously enjoyed having that extra space available for storing cars, bikes, sports equipment, tools, boxes, bins, and whatnot, a garage might be a requirement. If you’re thinking about adding a garage to your home and you’re wondering how its value might hold up, put yourself in the shoes of a buyer who has already owned a home with a garage—and who might well view this mecca for organization and productivity as a necessity.

New Cabinets & Countertops

Moderate renovations can boost the value of your home, too. For instance, replacing worn or outdated cabinetry or countertops can make a dramatic difference by changing the entire look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom. Plus, it will be more enjoyable to use—not only for you but also for any future owners of your home. Typically, these types of projects can be counted on to provide a good return on investment.

The Bottom Line

In addition to the type of addition you make, your ultimate payback will depend on the location, size, and condition of your home; when you intend to put it on the market; and the general housing and economic conditions. In other words, there are many factors to consider. If you would like to discuss your home addition ideas with an experienced remodeler serving the northern Dallas suburbs, contact G & S Remodeling today. We will be happy to meet with you.