Top 5 Home Updates to Increase Home Value in 2025
Finding and buying the perfect home is the American Dream, and finding the one that you will stay in for the duration of your adulthood and eventually retire into seems to be the ultimate homeowner's goal. For this reason, those who are fortunate enough to have found their forever home are hunkering down and returning their focus to home upgrades. The kicker? Not all home renovations will deliver you equal bang for your buck. Whether you choose to sell later down the road or you simply wish to give your living space the facelift it deserves, choosing the right project is important, particularly for those who live in storm-prone areas, such as the Forgotten Coast of Florida.
In this article, we will explain the renovations that will increase your home's value so that you know what projects should be prioritized.
1. Add Hurricane Shutters to the Exterior of Your Home
When you live in an area such as the Forgotten Coast of Florida, locals and newbies alike know that the beautiful coastal towns are not safe from hurricane season, meaning that your house is subject to damage if the incoming storms are bad enough. If you want to increase the value of your home while fortifying it against storms, installing hurricane shutters can significantly increase your home's total resale value. Hurricane shutters will protect from storm damage while making potential buyers comfortable living in a storm zone.
2. Maintain Siding & Roofing Regularly
Houses on the coast are subject to being weather-beaten, no matter how often you clean them–it's the price every oceanfront homeowner pays for waking up to paradise every morning. This is why homeowners of houses on the Forgotten Coast of Florida need to keep up with replacing outdated siding with newer, more durable options like fiber-cement or vinyl. Making sure that your roof is being upgraded regularly with durable material options like metal can help to protect your home while also enhancing your curb appeal.
3. Improve Insulation
Many would be amazed how important good insulation is to keep the air cool inside your home, so your AC doesn't work overtime. Spray-foam insulation is your best bet for efficiency because it helps to fill every crack and crevice to prevent cold air from escaping. On the other side of your insulation, the outside walls of your house play their part in helping to prevent cool air from escaping. For those looking for a great option, fiber cement is ideal, as it won't melt if exposed to high temperatures.
4. Create a "Safe Room"
Most Florida homes, especially those on the coast, do not feature basements, meaning that during an active storm, your next best choice is to create a safe room. This type of room is typically going to look like one that is windowless, and preferably an "interior" room, like a bathroom. However, depending on your family's needs and size, holing up in a bathroom for the duration of a hurricane isn't ideal. This is why we recommend converting an interior room in your home into a safe room. You can do this yourself or with the help of a professional, depending on your knowledge and skillset, by replacing the walls with concrete and replacing the door with a steel one.
5. Utilize Flood-Resistant Materials
Sometimes it isn't necessary to overhaul your home, but as you plan renovations over time, we recommend considering materials that are resistant to water that is brought in by storms. For example, you can replace your wood floors with vinyl, ceramic tile, or even rubber. Instead of rooms full of carpet, opt to use rugs. Internal walls can be easily replaced with cement boards, pressure-treated wood, or concrete. Doors and window frames made of wood should be replaced with metal.
Conclusion
Some of the above-mentioned home upgrades are not cheap, however, they will save you in the end if you live in an area that is prone to storms. Regardless of the natural disasters that impact your area the most, it is important to confirm that your home insurance is up-to-date and is adequate. While you can mitigate and prevent damage with upgrades, it is impossible to eliminate the threats. Should you decide down the road to sell your home, speak with a trusted real estate professional with expertise in your area to determine which home upgrades will see the most property value returned to you. Trust the real estate professionals at Coastal Realty Group to guide you in finding and settling down in the home of your dreams in the many stunning seaside coastal neighborhoods that make up the Forgotten Coast of Florida today.
