As a leading luxury home builder in Baltimore County, we understand that any construction project is a significant investment in your greatest asset. While updating your living spaces to fit your lifestyle is rewarding in itself, it’s also wise to keep an eye on potential return for when you decide to sell down the road. Some renovations simply provide more bang for your buck in terms of adding value and attracting buyers. Based on our decades of experience working on high-end homes in the Baltimore metro area, here are some of the most worthwhile additions and remodels to consider that are smart home investments.

In-Demand Kitchen Remodels

• We can’t overstate the importance of a stunning, functional kitchen for high-end homes. It’s consistently one of the top spaces that sell houses.
• Dated kitchens are a huge turn-off, but a beautifully remodeled one with granite or quartz counters, quality cabinetry, high-end appliances and an open layout with great sightlines can easily provide a 70-80% return on investment.

Open Up Your Floorplan

• Remodeling to create a natural flow between the kitchen, living room, and dining areas makes homes feel vastly more spacious and livable compared to compartmentalized rooms.
• It’s not just a luxury trend; removing walls to combine common areas creates the airy ambiance today’s buyers crave.
• Well-designed open concepts can recoup 60-70% of costs.

Expand with In-Law Suites

• This premium feature adds tremendous value for buyers looking to host guests or elderly relatives.
• Adding an in-law suite with its own private living area, bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom can return over 60% of investment.

Spa-Like Bathroom Oases

• Remodeling bathrooms, especially master baths, is a winner for resale value.
• Updates like dual vanities, frameless shower doors, freestanding soaking tubs, heated flooring, and steam showers can recoup 50-60% of costs.

Extend Living Spaces Outdoors

• For high-end outdoor living, additions like screened porches, decks, patios, and outdoor kitchens can provide a 50-80% return by expanding usable square footage.
• Lush landscaping also delivers great ROI by boosting curb appeal.

Maximize Finished Basements

• Turning basements into recreational spaces like media rooms, gyms, or home offices creates highly desired “bonus” living areas prized by buyers with families.
• By maximizing this extra space, you can expect to see a 70%+ return.

What’s a Reasonable Renovation Budget?

A general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 25-30% of your home’s value on any single addition or remodel. For a $500K home, that means capping projects around $125K-$150K. Any higher and you may not fully recoup those costs when selling.

Focusing on renovations with the highest expected ROI in the 60-80% range is wise. For example, a $65K kitchen remodel may net you $50K+ in added resale value down the road. Major projects like additions can still make sense if they truly increase functional living space and desirability.

Worst Changes to Avoid Before Selling

While certain renovations pay off, there are some changes that can actually lower your home’s value or make it more difficult to sell:

• Highly personalized or niche designs (over-customization)
• Reducing number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Removing closet/storage space
• Converting garage into living space
• Closing off rooms or creating inefficient layouts
• Luxury upgrades that exceed neighborhood norms
• Inground pools (Very expensive and turn off many buyers)

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, additions and remodels that enhance your home’s functionality, flow, and style while conforming to buyers’ expectations deliver the best bang for your buck and are smart home investments. As an award-winning builder, we can assess your property’s full potential and guide you towards projects that both elevate your living quality and provide great long-term value. Smart planning, custom designs tailored to your tastes, and our commitment to premium craftsmanship ensure remodeling with Sam Adams & Co. exceeds your expectations – both as you enjoy your new spaces yourself and when it’s time to capitalize on your elevated home value. We make wise renovations easy and turn your biggest asset into an absolute showstopper.