A homeowner’s renovation “dream list” is often long.
One way to prioritize home improvements is by selecting upgrades that make your residence a more enjoyable place to live and a hot commodity in the real estate market for when it comes time to sell. We turned to realtor Ginna Dunlap, of Ansley Real Estate, who focuses mainly on listings $1 million and above (her first sale this year was $7.3 million) for her take on some of the wisest investments.
PAINT: Skip tons of color, heavy wallpaper and draperies, and opt for walls in whites and grays, Dunlap says. “It’s important to neutralize the home as much as possible so potential buyers can envision themselves and their belongings in the home.”
KITCHEN: Dunlap recommends updating countertops in white quartz or another similar stone and painting everything white for a timeless look. “Granite tends to really date the home, and replacing countertops is a worthwhile and easy fix.”
BATHROOMS: Bathrooms should be as up-to-date as the kitchen, Dunlap says, suggesting a similar neutral palette of white walls and cabinets with white quartz or marble countertops. “Buyers prefer the home to be move-in ready without having to do any work.”
LANDSCAPING: Dunlap suggests cutting out brush and other cluttered elements to make the yard look larger. “With more time spent outside, landscaping that showcases how to best utilize the outdoor space is important.”
POOL: Consider adding a pool. With people spending more time at home, these are a high priority right now.
