Personal Taste & Resale Value

When it comes to updating your home, striking the right balance between personalization and appealing to future buyers can be a challenge. While you want your home to reflect your style and needs, it's also important to make decisions that will enhance its resale value. Here’s how you can achieve a home that feels both uniquely yours and attractive to potential buyers when it's time to sell.

Choose Neutral Foundations

Starting with a neutral palette for walls, floors, and major fixtures can serve as a versatile backdrop that appeals to a broad range of buyers. Neutral colors like beige, greige, and whites are not only soothing and easy to personalize with decorative accents, but they also help to create a sense of space and light in your home, making it more appealing during showings. The photo above shows a neutral base in the permanent finishes with added personality through the stool color and cheerful bowl on the counter. This is perfect, as those items can be removed when it comes time to sell. If you decide to make a bold additon of colored tile, this can work as long as you keep the architectural style of the house in mind. Do not choose bright, modern patterned tile for a Victorian bathroom remodel. Instead, choose an updated color and style that would have been available in the 1890s. 

Invest in Quality Where It Counts

Focus your spending on improvements that will offer the best return on investment. Kitchens and bathrooms are key spaces where upgrades can significantly increase your home’s market value. Opt for high-quality materials and timeless designs in these areas. For example, installing quartz countertops or timeless subway tile backsplashes can add lasting value without sacrificing style. It is always a good idea to stick to the style and architecture of your home. Putting Shaker style cabinets in a Mid Century home might not be the right move. Instead opt for a slab style cabinet door that reflects what would have been in the home to begin with. Save the Shaker cabinets for more traditional homes. Lay subway style tile in a stack pattern or herringbone in more modern homes and keep them in a running bond in more traditional homes. These thoughtful updates will keep the value of your home instead of making people question the updates you have made, no matter how beautiful they are. 

Personalize with Detachable Additions

Allow your personality to shine through elements that are easily changed, such as light fixtures, hardware, and window treatments. These are aspects of your home decor that you can enjoy now but can easily be swapped out for more neutral options when you decide to sell. This approach lets you indulge in current trends without committing to them long-term. 

Consider Smart Home Upgrades

Incorporating smart home technology is a great way to increase both the functionality and attractiveness of your home. Smart thermostats, security cameras, and lighting systems are popular upgrades that many buyers appreciate for their energy efficiency and convenience. These technologies are typically unobtrusive, meaning they won’t detract from your home’s aesthetics while making it more modern.

Enhance Outdoor Living Spaces

An appealing outdoor space can significantly boost your home’s resale value. Consider adding a wooden deck or paving a patio area, which can be beautiful and functional. Personalize these spaces with portable outdoor furniture, potted plants, and outdoor rugs that can be easily adjusted or removed according to the tastes of future buyers.

Maintain Flexibility in Function

Rooms with flexible uses can attract a wider array of buyers. For instance, a room that can serve as a home office, a guest room, or a craft room is a valuable asset in today’s market. Keep these spaces relatively neutral and avoid built-in furniture that might limit the room's potential uses.

Keep Future Buyers in Mind

While it's important to enjoy your living space, keeping potential buyers in mind can be beneficial. For example, if you're considering a bold design choice like painting a living room black, remember that it might not be to everyone’s taste and could deter buyers who prefer brighter, airier spaces. If you decide to go bold, consider using accessories or artwork to inject color and personality instead.

Updating your home doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your personal style. By focusing on neutral bases, investing in quality, and personalizing with detachable additions, you can create a space that feels like home to you and will also appeal to future buyers. Balancing these elements allows you to enjoy your home now while keeping it market-ready for when the time comes to sell.