Remodeling to Sell a Home in Scottsdale? Read This First!

If you’re selling your home in Scottsdale, you and your real estate agent will work closely to get it ready for the market – and you might be considering making repairs, doing a few upgrades or remodeling a room or two.

 

Not all home upgrades pay off, though, so your best bet is to talk to your agent about what you can do to price it properly and sell it quickly.

 

According to the Remodeling 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, the five improvements and upgrades that pay off the most at the closing table are:

 

1. Entry door replacement
2. Garage door replacement
3. Minor kitchen remodel
4. Wood deck addition
5. Bathroom remodel (midrange)

The data is specifically for Central Arizona – it’s a little different in other parts of the state and across the country. These are just averages, as well, which means that your mileage may vary. Sometimes upgrades don’t pay off financially, but in how quickly you sell your home. It’s always best to talk to your Scottsdale real estate agent before you make any decisions!

 

Average cost: $1,452

 

Average resale value: $1,191

 

Return on investment: 82%

 

Replacing your entry door can improve your home’s curb appeal – but in many cases, so can a fresh coat of paint or stain. Other things that can make your entry more desirable to prospective buyers include:

 

• Power-washing the sidewalk leading up
• Adding gorgeous, colorful plants beside the door
• Having door windows professionally cleaned (your real estate agent may suggest that you have all your windows professionally cleaned)
• Adding new house numbers that match your exterior fixtures

Sometimes even repainting the front door can go a long way, so this is definitely something your agent might suggest.

 

Average cost: $3,468

 

Average resale value: $2,777

 

Return on investment: 80.1%

 

In the Cost vs. Value report, this pricing reflects replacing a 16-foot-by-7-foot garage door and tracks and reusing the existing motor. If you do decide to replace your garage door, make sure you choose a new door that’s widely appealing – the more neutral it is, style-wise, the better.

 

 

Average cost: $20.586

 

Average resale value: $16,264

 

Return on investment: 79%

 

Spending big money on a remodeling project before you sell your home can be a huge risk. Your real estate agent may suggest that you skip the kitchen remodel and let your pricing reflect the fact that you know your kitchen needs some “freshening up.”

 

The Cost vs. Value Report bases these costs on remodeling a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinets and countertops. The cost only involves refacing the cabinets, not replacing them entirely, and includes a new cooktop and refrigerator.

 

Average cost: $10,158

 

Average resale value: $7,466

 

Return on investment: 73.5%

 

Adding a deck to give prospective buyers more outdoor living space can pay off – but so can staging your backyard as an outdoor living space. Even if you don’t already have a deck or patio, you can make your outdoor living space more appealing by:

 

• Adding neutrally designed furniture that fits the space, creating a conversational group that’s perfect for entertaining
• Adding a fire pit
• Putting seasonal, potted outdoor plants in the space, such as Cape Aloe, Arizona Poppy or Owl’s Clover

If you already have plenty of outdoor living space, making sure it's staged properly can add tremendous value to buyers' opinions.

 

 

Average cost: $18,149

 

Average resale value: $11,485

 

Return on investment: 63.3%

 

Remodeling is expensive, and for most people who are selling a home in Scottsdale, it just doesn’t make sense. In fact, unless your bathroom is very dated or your real estate agent tells you that it’s one of the things you should improve, it’s probably wise to make more inexpensive updates than to remodel it entirely.

 

You can update your bathroom more modestly by:

 

• Updating fixtures (lights, sink faucets, towel racks and drawer pulls)
• Repainting (and if you have wallpaper, removing it and starting with a fresh coat of paint may be your best bet)
• Freshening up caulk and grout

Remember, too, that buyers want to be able to bring in their own style. Sometimes it's wiser to leave things as-is instead of spending a large amount of money on something that may not come back to you at the closing table.

 

For most people, full remodeling projects aren’t necessary. Buyers want to make a home all their own, so it’s best if you consult with your real estate agent about improvements you can make that will really pay off at the closing table. He or she knows what sells (and what doesn’t) in Scottsdale, so rely on your agent’s expertise!