Are you looking to put your home back on the market? There are many elements that go into choosing the best time to sell, but before you get in contact with a realtor it’s worth taking stock of your home and seeing what improvements can be done to raise its value on the Plano real estate market.
If you’re feeling handy – or at the very least handy enough to make plans with a good contractor – here are five plumbing projects to improve your resale value in Plano.
1. In the Kitchen
There are plenty of ways to improve the layout of your kitchen without having to do a full gutting. It’s all about improving your current appliances in a way that will be appealing to potential buyers. If you don’t have something like a dishwasher, for instance, installing one will be a massive convenience for the next owners.
You can also replace your current sink head with a pull-out faucet, which is another addition that’s incredibly useful. If you’re feeling wild, you can even upgrade to a double-basin sink, a perk that will give your house an advantage over others in the area. All it takes is a few key areas of work, you can turn your kitchen space into something out of the right owner’s dream.
2. For the Bathroom
Adding a new bathroom can allow you to upgrade to luxury features, increasing the value of your home by up to 23%. Even building a new, conveniently placed half-bathroom is a big plus in real estate, especially for a larger family or persons with disabilities.
However, we understand a full construction job isn’t feasible for many would-be sellers. There’s a lot you can do that’ll create a similar effect. You can tile or retile your shower for a fresh look. Even just changing your fixtures will make a big difference, though there’s an increasing want for creative design choices in that realm. Black or mixed metal are two daring options to consider.
But underneath all the glitz and glam of a stylish bathroom, there’s a room that’s made up mostly of drains. So take the time to make sure the core plumbing around your bathroom is functioning properly.
3. Modernize the Water Heater
How’s your water heater? If you haven’t thought about it, you’ll want to before you take the steps to sell your home. If you have a tank-style water heater, they tend to last around ten years. After that they start to corrode and build up sediment that can get into the water supply and clog vital machinery. So if your water heater is leaking, or if it’s taking longer than usual to heat up water, it’s time to replace it.
You might want to consider switching to a tankless water heater. They take up much less space than a tanked heater, and they provide near-instant hot water access without a pilot light or water storage. They also have a lifespan double of that of a tank-equivalent, and a longer warranty to match.
A tankless water heater is a definite selling point for your home. It’s safer, more effective, and is even wi-fi capable and can be controlled through a tablet or phone.
4. Pipe Upgrades
Even once your appliances make it into the 21st century, that won’t amount to much if your piping system is stuck in the 1970s. Most homes, particularly older ones, contain galvanized pipes. These corrode over time and, like an outdated water heater, can cause toxic material to break off into your water supply.
If your system is old enough it could contain polybutylene, or even lead. Even just a section of these materials in your piping can cause serious health risks. Beyond improving the resale value of your home, it’s vital to modernize your piping for the safety of the people who move in after you.
The best alternatives for piping are copper for water and PVC for waste outlets. With these materials you can ensure a smooth functioning system with few joints and low risk of corrosion. It’ll improve the value of your property, but by emphasizing that the plumbing system is taken care of you’ll be providing extra security to buyers.
5. Eco-Renovations
In nearly every room of the house it’s becoming more and more important to implement eco-friendly appliances into your renovations. Eco and low-waste appliances are beneficial on a globally conscious scale, while also putting in work to lower energy bills in the process. Needless to say that it’s something most buyers will definitely be considering in the house of their choosing.
A tankless water heater, as stated before, is a very useful eco-friendly shift in your home’s design. Beyond that, it could help to take a tour of the plumbing in your house and see what could be improved.
Is your toilet constantly running water or wobbling in its foundation? Time to get a dual-flush upgrade to cut energy costs and add another perk to your home’s appearance. You can also replace your faucets and showerheads to fixtures that can save water by the gallon while reducing strain on your plumbing system.
When shopping around for fixtures and appliances as you get them, look out for proof of Energy Star certification. Even if you don’t know what that is by name, there’s a big chance you’ve seen the baby-blue sticker on the front of a fridge or other home fixture.
Energy Star is a program from the Environmental Protection Agency that is awarded to appliances that are energy efficient. Using Energy Star-approved fixtures in your home tells buyers that, when they live there, they’ll be reducing their carbon footprint and saving money doing it.
Your house has provided a roof over your head and shelter from the proverbial storm. You might like it, you might hate it, or you might not feel anything one way or the other. But when selling your house you want to present it in the best light possible.
Installing a new sink will contribute to that, and so will getting rid of any leaks or clogs. These are all efforts big and small that you can put in to make sure that, when the right buyer walks through your doors they won’t just see another house on the market – they’ll see a home.
And, rest assured, they’ll pay accordingly.