When homeowners think of upgrading their homes, they usually have two reasons in mind. They want to make it more enjoyable and they also want to improve its resale value.

To achieve these two objectives, homeowners must be careful which updates they implement. As Dawson Management points out, not all updates will improve the owner’s enjoyment of a home and its value equally.

To help property owners get the most out of their renovation efforts, we created this list of the top home updates that pay off. These are the upgrades that are almost certain to return a significant portion of the property owner’s costs when they sell their homes.

Bathroom Remodel

The bathroom is one of the most trafficked rooms in a home; any updates to this space usually pays off. Bathroom updates can be minor, major, or directed at specific features of a bathroom.

• Minor Bathroom Update

This often involves replacing faucets, hardware, lighting fixtures, and/or the toilet. You could also paint the vanity if it’s wood or paint the walls in a fresh color. All of these upgrades could be DIY or completed by a plumber, electrician, or handy man.

• Major Bathroom Upgrade

These upgrades include replacing the vanity, expanding the bathroom size, replacing flooring, replacing tile and perhaps changing the tub and toilet.

• Master Bathroom Tub Replacement

A growing trend is to replace the bathtub in the master bathroom with a walk-in shower with new shower head and glass enclosure. However, please note that having at least one bathtub in the home can be a necessity for some home buyers. Consider keeping you tub/shower (maybe upgrading it) in the master if that would be the only tub the house. If you have a smaller tub/shower combo in a secondary bath already, go ahead and put that walk-in shower in your master!

Home Additions

Increasing the square footage of a home pays off because buyers (and appraisers) value the additional space. You know the saying “time is money”. In the real estate world- space is money.

• Two-Story Addition

This usually entails updating and maybe opening up the main floor; you may consider reconfiguring some of the space for a new, comfortable master suite. You would then want to add a couple bedrooms upstairs, at least one bath, and a bonus room if space and budget allows.

• Bedroom Addition

This addition is often a master suite addition. It can give some homes just the right about of added space. Keep in mind that this may not be the right choice for you, however, if you have only steep grade levels around where you’d want the addition. This is because foundation masonry can be expensive if extensive.

• Screened-In Porch Addition

Screened-in porches are in very high demand here in the south. They provide extensions to the living space in a home and they are cheaper than adding heated living space. Screen-in porches can be opened up the living room or kitchen on a nice day, they keep the bugs out, and they serve as a perfect space to enjoy the game or a glass of wine. These can really be a huge selling point for a home.

Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen impacts the most in terms of a home's salability; updates to the kitchen are very important and most kitchen upgrades attract massive returns on investment.

• Minor Kitchen Remodel

You could make a huge impact on your kitchen just by replacing the cabinets, countertops, and fixtures while keeping the layout and plumbing where it is. There are very affordable cabinet lines out there that make this a possibility with even some of the smallest budgets. Even just replacing your countertops and/or appliances can make a huge difference to your buyers.

• Major Kitchen Remodel

This scale of project often includes rearranging the current kitchen plan, expanding the kitchen either within existing square footage or adding onto the home, and replacing all of the old materials. You will want to make sure you hire a general contractor for this work to be sure it gets done properly and in a timely manner. Hiring a design/build firm or separate designer is also quite crucial in making sure you are designing this space to function properly and look attractive for years to come.

Siding Replacement

Hardie siding is a step up from vinyl siding; it offers many advantages over vinyl as the preferred material for a home's siding. For starters, it is more durable and offers greater curb appeal. Although it cost more than vinyl, it offers greater ROI than a vinyl upgrade.

Energy-Efficient Windows

New windows improve not just the look but the functionality of the home. Windows account for up to 30% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home. Installing new windows with energy-efficient features like multi-paned glass, Low-E glass and gas infused panes will reduce energy costs significantly. The average ROI for installing new windows is about 73%.

There are many things in the past that people look back to with nostalgia. Everyone likes to think life was better when they were growing up. But there are only two things we know that get better with age; old wine and old houses.

Nothing in modern homes comes close to the unadulterated charm of an old house. Today's home pales in comparison to the elegance of old residential architecture and engineering. If you have ever been to a pre-1930s home, you know what we mean. But if not, this article will introduce you to some tried and true features you can incorporate into your modern home.

Older Home vs Modern Home

What is the main difference between old houses and modern homes? Houses today are typically built with an open floor plan. As Schambs Management explains- this layout combines entryway, kitchen, dining, and living areas into one continuous space without any form of structural separations between them. It’s been desired by modern families today for ease of entertaining and keeping watch over kids.

Old houses, on the other hand, have closed floor plans. Spaces in the house are not only designated for specific uses, they are separated by walls and doors. A typical old house would have separate rooms as the parlor, library, dining room, study and kitchen.

Does this closed floor plan have advantages over an open floor plan? Yes! Not only does it offer privacy, but each space in a home has its own features based on how they are used. A closed floor plan allows you to paint or decorate each room - kitchen, dining room, or office - with a unique personality. An open floor plan can also be an acoustic disaster for some families with young children or loud pets; it’s hard to isolate sounds. In a more separated floor plan, kids can listen to their cartoons around the corner while the adults can host guests downstairs in the living room or a keeping room. Finally, in our environmentally-conscious age, a closed floor plan can allow you to close off unused room to help out your heating or cooling efficiency.

Another big difference between modern and vintage homes is the sheer charm of old houses. Stepping into an old house is like a step back in time to an age where everything was not mass-produced. The careful craftsmanship of an old house is visible everywhere you look. And each feature of the home is built to last; instead of being a fad that was soon replaced. 

Unlike modern houses, which often make the TV the focal point of the home, old houses were built for face-to-face interactions. Hence, the need for separate dining rooms where each meal was treated as an occasion.

Does this mean you should ditch your modern home design for old house design? No! What you can do is borrow some old house trends and integrate them into your home. Below, we list some of the best older home features for you to consider for your modern home.

Walk-in Pantry

It is hard to understand why this old house trend was abandoned. What could be more functional than a walk-in pantry that lets you organize your storage creatively? This feature makes the kitchen much more manageable.

https://www.humphreymunson.co.uk/kitchen/weybridge-project/

Double Pocket Doors

Double pocket doors let you assign or withdraw access easily. Left open, space reverts to an open floor plan. But you can close the doors to give yourself more privacy. This feature comes in handy when entertaining guests and you want to limit access.

Mudroom

Old houses had a small space between the outer door and the home's interior. It served to deaden outside noise and as a place for removing outwear. You can return this old house trend as a mudroom where people can take off coats and muddy boots.

Clawfoot Tub

Looking at these tubs will give you as much pleasure as you get from soaking in them. They are deeper than modern baths and are shamelessly luxurious. Even better, they won't complain if you put them outside in the garden or on the patio.

Ceiling Medallions

This feature encapsulates old house elegance at its best. Nothing says flamboyance like a medallion on the ceiling. They are designed to make people gape and they do just that. Visitors won't be able to resist the urge to look up and stare.

https://www.houseofbrinson.com/2017/09/02/living-room-reveal/

Fireplaces in Every Room

Humans have a fascination with fire which interior heating has not quelled. Imagine the wonder of a dedicated fireplace in the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. If you want to get the most out of this old house trend, go for a wood burning unit!