When you own a home, you have a lot of freedom regarding what you will do with it. Making it comfortable for your family is your primary goal, but you also need to consider future resale value. Should you put your home on the market in the future, you want to get more than you put into it. There are certain home upgrades that will pay you back more than others.

1) Enhance Your Outdoor Space

When the weather is nice, people want to spend time outdoors making memories with friends and families. Having a sizable deck is the perfect space for this. Add some features, such as a fire pit or benches, and some lighting, so that the space can be enjoyed all hours of the day.

Do not forget about the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. A home needs curb appeal. This is what attracts people when they are approaching your home for the first time. Landscape all areas of your outdoor space with plants and other landscaping features, such as rocks and decorative outdoor items.

2) Add a Home Office

Many people work from home, take classes or want a central space to tackle things like family finances. This is where a home office comes in. The space does not have to be very big. You just need enough space for a desk, some shelving and basic office equipment.

It should have adequate lighting and at least one window. Built-in shelving can be a nice selling point, but any shelving will make the space more attractive and easier to organize.

3) Add More Light

Natural light has been a major selling point for decades. The more windows you have, the better. Ensure that the windows are new and clean too. They should be easy to open and have window treatments that are easy to manipulate so that you can let in the maximum amount of light during the daylight hours.

If possible, knocking down some walls can also make the space brighter. Consider recessed lighting that can be dimmed for lighting that is versatile and can be adjusted depending on what you are doing in a particular room.

4) Finish Your Basement

A finished basement adds more living space to your home. Ideally, you want to keep the space as open as possible. This makes it more versatile and keeps the space brighter. However, creating a half bathroom is a good choice so that people spending time in the basement do not have to go upstairs to use the restroom.

If you have your laundry area in the basement, creating a small separate room for this is a good choice. This will hide these appliances so that the rest of the space can be customized to the user’s needs.

5) Build an Additional Bathroom

It is best to have at least one bathroom on each floor. On the first floor, a half bathroom that guests can use is a good idea. All you need is a sink and a toilet, so it does not have to be big.

It is also a good idea to have a bathroom attached to the master bedroom. For example, if you have a bathroom upstairs that everyone will use, consider building a second one that is exclusively for the master bedroom. This should be a full bathroom with a bathtub or shower, sink and a toilet.

This addition makes the master bedroom feel more luxurious and private. It does not have to be very big, but two people should be able to be in the room at the same time.

6) Install a Generator

Having a unit that can restore electricity during a power outage can be a big selling point once you put your home on the market. A whole house generator that uses a transfer switch lets you continue to enjoy electricity without you needing to manually turn it on during a blackout.

Many of these generators work using the natural gas supply to your home. However, you can also get information on dual fuel generators if you want options regarding how you power your generator. What is important is that the generator you pick can handle the wattage requirements of your home. Make sure that a professional electrician does the install, especially for the transfer switch since improper installation could be a fire hazard.

7) Update Your Kitchen

When people are looking at homes, the bathrooms and kitchen are the main rooms that they look at. The kitchen needs to be modern, practical and efficient. There should be plenty of counter space and the flow of the room should be easy. For example, people should be able to move from the refrigerator to the stove with ease so that they can cook and bake without obstructions.

A kitchen also needs to be organized. You want plenty of cabinetry and shelving so that it is easy to fit all of your dishware, cookware and appliances into the space. If possible, building a pantry is a good idea because it allows people to organize their non-refrigerated foods, cleaning products and other items to their specifications.

8) Reduce the Maintenance Needs

While cleaning is a natural part of living, you want home cleaning to be as fast and simple as possible. Make some upgrades to your home that ensure quick and easy maintenance. Some examples include:

-Installing windows that pull in so that you can clean them without needing to get onto a ladder outside
-Removing carpeting in high-traffic areas and replacing it with easy-to-clean vinyl or hardwood floors
-Adding vinyl siding to the outside of the home
-Using efficient lightbulbs that do not have to be changed as often
-Getting a stainless steel sink and appliances since they are resistant to rust and easy to clean
-Painting with at least a semi-gloss paint since it wipes down easily and does not stain as much as matte paint

9) Increase Your Home’s Efficiency

An efficient home will save people money. It is less expensive to operate an efficient home and efficient home features tend to need repairs less often. Look for energy-star appliances, including your HVAC system, for a quick and relatively easy efficiency upgrade. Other ways to increase your home’s efficiency include:

-Install a programmable thermostat
-Use ceiling fans so that you can save on air conditioning
-Seal current ones or install new windows and doors
-Install low-flow plumbing fixtures
-Use LED lightbulbs
-Consider a tankless water heater

10) Insulate the Space

All homes need good insulation to be comfortable when the outside temperature is especially hot or cold. If your home is a new build, this might not be a concern. However, if your home is 10 years old or older, you should inspect the insulation. A professional can help you to determine if there are hot or cold spots throughout your home. Pay close attention to the attic.

Not only can this increase your home’s value, but it can save you money when you are living there. Look for air leaks and drafts, especially around your windows and doors. Use a thermal leak detector to find these areas easily.

Doing even just one of these projects can increase the value and comfort of your home. Just be mindful and ensure that you are getting the best prices for the work. If you opt to DIY, make that you know how to tackle the project before you start so that it is done properly.