You’ve likely heard that kitchens and baths sell homes. In fact, a home’s kitchen and primary bathroom are considered “hot spots” — the most closely inspected rooms by buyers. While these rooms are still very important, today’s buyers are checking out another area a bit more than they used to: bedrooms.
Over the past year and a half we’ve been spending much more time at home and bedrooms have become our sanctuaries. They serve as retreats and places we can escape to when the rest of the house gets a bit crazy. Because buyers are taking a second look at these rooms, it’s important that sellers give them a little TLC.
Start with the basics
Beth Graham with Beth Graham Appraisals says sometimes all a bedroom needs is a fresh coat of paint and some new carpeting.
“While these projects don’t necessarily increase your home value, they do speak to the overall condition of the home, which does come into play during an appraisal,” she said. “New paint and carpet can make a big impact because it gives buyers the feeling that the rooms are clean and well-maintained, and that is especially important in bedrooms.”
When it comes to carpeting, look for something with a reasonable price tag that still looks full and appealing. Light-colored neutrals are a good option because they generally make the space feel larger.
Organize the closets
According to a survey done by the National Association of Home Builders, walk-in closets (especially in the main bedroom) made the list of the 15 home features today’s buyers want most. If you don’t have a walk-in closet, you can still update an existing reach-in closet by installing an organization system.
Create a work from home space
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “more than a third of U.S. households reported working from home more frequently than before the pandemic.”
If you have an extra bedroom, consider staging it as a home office to show buyers how they can optimize the space.
Spruce up your bathroom
A primary bath is a big selling feature in any house. But you don’t have to take on a major renovation to impress buyers. Updating light fixtures, swapping out cabinet pulls, replacing worn shower and sink fixtures, and installing new towel bars are simple, cost-effective updates that can make a big impact.
Much like the bedroom, paint can also transform your bathroom.
“Again this factors into the overall condition of the home,” said Graham. “If most homes in your area have an updated primary suite, and yours is older and outdated, your home may not have the same marketability and it could negatively impact value.”
Important value considerations
When taking on any renovation, it’s always important to look at what is typical for your neighborhood. For instance, maybe you want to convert two secondary bedrooms into one large room for a home gym or bonus space. That may work well for your current lifestyle, but future buyers may see it as a negative.
Also, with so many homeowners renovating and utilizing extra spaces within their homes, Graham says it’s important to understand what is considered a bedroom.
“To be a legal bedroom, a room must have privacy and be at least 70 square feet with ceilings that are at least 7 feet high,” she said. “It must also have access to a heating and cooling element, and have two points of exit, typically through a door and a window. So, if you are adding a bedroom in a basement, it must have an egress window.”
To be sure things are done correctly, Graham suggests that homeowners confirm code requirements with their local municipality before taking on any renovations.
For more home improvement tips and information follow the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® on Facebook or blog at www.lansing-realestate.com.
