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5 Garage Renovations That Make Your Home More Sellable

Written by Posted On Thursday, 04 January 2018 17:08
5 Garage Renovations That Make Your Home More Sellable

If you think the garage is for utility purposes only, think again. This feature can also impact the market value of your house during resale. In fact, the average return-on-investment for a remodeled garage is about 65 percent, according to data published in Realty Times.

Many people tend to overlook the garage, using it for functionally for parking cars or stashing clutter. In actuality, this room is a reflection of the entire home and can affect a potential buyer’s decision. If you’re preparing to move in 2018, consider these garage updates to make your home more sellable.

Give the Exterior a Facelift

A new garage door can enhance the home’s curb appeal and give it a modern, streamlined facade. Focus on materials, designs, patterns or colors that add visual interest and pique the interest of potential buyers. The idea is to define an exterior style that also carries through to the interior. You want to “make a statement that says, ‘welcome to my home,” suggest professionals from the Garage Living blog.

Consider all of your options, including glass windowpanes and aluminum cross-beams to natural wood grain to contrasting paint shades. Which works best with your interior design? Which speaks to a familiar style in your region?

If you don’t have the budget for a new garage door, give it new life with a fresh coat of paint. Sometimes the exterior is just dirty, giving the door a dull look. Rent a power washer and see what’s underneath. That may be all you need.

You could also install windows, which add to the overall aesthetic of the door. If you go this route, remember security. Experts at CSS Garage Doors recommend improving garage security by frosting the windows or installing curtains.

Upgrade the Floors to Epoxy

Replace a deteriorated or outdated concrete floor with epoxy coating to add significant value to your home. This DIY project can be completed in a weekend, or done by a professional, and will rid your garage of a stained, concrete floor:

“Most garage slabs receive a minimum of sealer when originally poured, so years of storage and spills take their toll. Plus, the natural porosity and chalkiness of concrete makes it almost impossible to keep clean,” points out Dylan Eastman, a project manager for the DIY Network.

Epoxy, however, is an adhesive resin that can be painted directly onto the existing concrete surface to give the floor a new skid-proof, stain-resistant varnish. Not to mention it’s easier to keep clean and can reduce the amount of dust in the space. Not to mention, at first glance, the look is both sleek and appealing.

Create Accessible Storage

Maximizing the square-footage to increase storage capacity in the garage is a significant selling point for prospective buyers who don’t want to take the time to do this themselves. They’ll quickly envision organized power tools, old keepsakes and seasonal decor sitting neatly around the space, easily accessible. There are a number of ways you can do this, so consider the following ideas:

  • Overhead storage: If possible, install overhead bins that can be accessed with a latter. Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Wall-mounted pegboards: Pegboards are easy to install and can be used to organize a wide variety of items from gardening tools to arts and craft supplies.
  • Built-in shelving: This is likely another easy installation that provides a wide range of value for prospective buyers.

 Convert the Space

If you have a large driveway, consider making your garage a space that new buyers can enjoy as an extension of their home. A garage conversion is a much larger, more expensive project than many others on this list, but could yield an 80 percent ROI if the space truly adds value to the home and is done with quality materials.

As you embark on your garage conversion, consider these garage conversion alternatives:

  • Hangout/Activity Room
  • Home Theater
  • Guest or Master Bedroom
  • Home Office

Check with local permitting authorities before starting your project. There may be restrictions on what you can do with the space. Failing to do this can lead to significant penalties and lost costs.

Keep Insulation Up-to-Code

Regulating the temperature of a garage not only enhances the comfort of the space, but also decreases the risk of moisture build-up and mold growth. De-humidify and ventilate the garage in the summer, while making sure it can still retain heat in the winter, by insulating the interior walls.

Go the DIY route to save up to $2,000, suggests the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association; all you need is a tape measure, straight edge, utility knife, step ladder and your insulation of choice. The most common materials are foam, polyurethane, cellulose, wool and fiberglass. If you’ve never done this before, check out HGTV’s Garage Insulation Basics before getting started.

Renovate and Sell

Though a garage renovation may seem like a waste of time or money, the payoff can be significant once your house is on the market. This is an important factor in overall curb appeal, and making a great first impression will attract more potential buyers. Keep these ideas in mind as you prepare your home to go on the market.

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Jessica Thiefels

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