Putting your home on the market can be a grueling experience, especially when you have failed to prep it for open house. Before inviting prospects to view your home, it’s important to perform certain interior and exterior remodeling. The more you improve the property from the inside out, the higher your chances of you not only selling the property, but getting a higher return on investment.

The area you live in and the homes in your neighborhood will also play a role in the type of prospects you attract. In any case, there are essential upgrades that can boost your chances to appealing to majority of home buyers.

This is an overview of the different ways you can increase your property value with both outdoor and interior remodeling.

Low Maintenance Improvements

The idea of owning a home may yield thoughts of holidays, building a family and enjoying your own personal space. However, as many homeowners come to face, there’s a need for ongoing maintenance of their property. If you’re able to decrease the need for maintenance, then this will help entice home buyers. For example, you can install maintenance-free siding. These are designed with cellulosic fibers, sand and cement. It can be made to look like wood, but without the rot and termites. These last much longer than traditional siding, saving the homeowner time and money in the long run. Exterior remodeling, such as this should be done by an experienced contractor.

Create Convertible Spaces

Today, people are looking to get the best bang for their buck. This means having more flexibility and versatility in the things they buy. If you can offer this in your home design, you can attract buyers with this preference. One way to do this is to create convertible spaces. You can install foldaway walls that can turn a living area into a private study. You could also have a Murphy bed installed in an armoire-style wall unit, turning an office or dining room into a sleeping area.

Build a Laundry Room

Being forced to go to a laundromat or use a machine down in a dark, damp basement isn’t that enticing. You can create a more convenient laundry room next to the bathroom, in a hallway or off to the side of your kitchen. This can be easily built by a remodeling contractor who specializes in room additions.

Grow Your Kitchen

If space allows, you should try to expand the amount of storage and countertop space you have inside your kitchen. Although people are downsizing their homes, they’re still looking for expansive kitchens. You can find unique ways to add more storage to your kitchen, such as with wall niches, wine cellars or even a pantry.

Upgrade for Energy Efficiency

Saving money is key for home buyers these days, especially with the shaky economy. You can ease the strain on potential buyers’ pockets by remodeling your home with energy efficiency in mind. For instance, you can install LED fixtures throughout the home, a thermostat with more control features and windows and doors that help keep indoor air in. You could even go as far as to install energy tracking devices, so power usage can be monitored.

A Separate Office

The basement is an unused space that goes to waste in many homes throughout the country. You can put an end to this by transforming yours into something useful – a home office. A lot of people today are entrepreneurs or work office jobs that offer telecommuting opportunities. Refinish your basement floors and consider adding a bathroom and a bar for drinks and sandwiches. A work-a-holic would definitely appreciate this.

Before you list your home on the market, make sure you check the exterior and interior of your home to determine which remodeling contractor to hire for your needs. First impressions are everything, so hire the right contractor to get your home ready for prospects.