If you are worried because the homes in your Twin Cities neighborhood are decreasing in value but you want to make sure that your home doesn't, then doing the right upgrades and renovations might be necessary. Of course, not all renovations will ensure that you get your money's worth, so pay attention to recommendations have been gathered from real estate professionals.  Here are the most frequently recommended ones that will give you the most bang for your remodeling buck in terms of increased home value.

MN Home Improvements That Pay Off
  1. Create wide-open spaces by knocking down walls, opening areas up and so on. The more open space in the home, the more likely it is to sell for a higher amount.
  2. Make sure to prune and landscape to make the outside of the home lto ook just as nice as the inside. When this is done, more people are going to stop by the home and take a look so it is like outside advertising.  Curb appeal is at the top of real estate pros' lists.
  3. Make sure to have adequate lighting throughout the home. People like the look of maximized lighting, and when you place it in those important areas, such as a dark hall, buyers will find your home much more appealing.
  4. If something breaks, don't put repairs off. You want to make sure to fix these problems right when they happen. They can be a small problem today, but left unattended those minor repairs could lead to a major expense.
  5. Go as green as you can go. Many people are looking for ways to save money, and with energy-efficient appliances and upgrading the heating and cooling systems to those that are EnergyStar rated will help.
  6. Change out the front door so it welcomes people in. Nothing is better than a great first impression, plus you're adding to the security level of your home with newer doors.  In fact, replacing a front door is the top improvement in terms of return on investment, so if you can only do one thing, this is the one to go for.
  7. Replace your flooring. You might have old, worn-out floors and this is something that you shouldn't underestimate when it comes to selling the home. New, nice floors might be the trick.  Hardwood floors are preferred over carpeting.
  8. Small and easy bath upgrades to make your bath look brand new are recommended improvements. Caulk around the shower and bath again, change out hardware, add a coat of paint, and so on.  If your bath is short on storage, adding shelving is a plus.  If you've got that old plastic tile, it's time to replace it.  Re-grouting old tile can give your bath a facelift.
  9. Keep your walls neutral. You might like hot pink, but not all buyers will.  You can go with a tan, beige, off white or other colors that are subtle and warm - neutrals appeal to just about everyone.  And while this won't necessarily add value to your home, it will make it easier to sell.
  10. Remove anything in the home that a buyer would have to ask what it is or why it's there.  This could be the ugly carpeting down your stairs or little storage cubbies that are never used. Every structure in the house should have an obvious purpose.
And as a rule of thumb, if you have to choose between interior and exterior improvements, the pros say go for the outside renovations first.  Buyers driving by who don't like what they see on the exterior won't even stop in to check out the inside. If it's time to up the value on your home, speak with us here at Quarve, where we are able to provide you with the exterior upgrades that you're after such as new siding and replacement windows and doors. We are an exterior home contractor for the Minneapolis MN area. Check out our Pinterest page for a look at some of the remodeling projects we've done in the past.  And then give us a call for a free estimate on giving your home an exterior facelift - 763.785.1472.