News > Remodeling your Scottsdale Condo? Get What Buyers Want

Maybe you bought your condo years ago and the style is outdated, or you just bought your first place and you want to make it your own. Whatever the reason, remodeling your Scottsdale condo can be a creative and fun project that can also add value to your investment. Even if you're not planning on selling your condo anytime soon, you'll want to plan your interior remodel with an eye towards resale.  You'll be competing with other units have have been remodeled and new condos in Scottsdale with the lastest in materials.

So what do buyers want?

Start From the Ground Up

Flooring should be one of your first considerations when you remodel. Wood floors are very popular and they are an amenity that will likely be high on buyers’ wish lists for a while. There are two types of wood floors, hardwood and engineered. Engineered wood consists of multiple layers of wood with a solid wood layer, and can have some advantages if you buy quality. You can find wood floors in almost any color and style such as Pine, Birch, Oak, Beech, Walnut and Mahogany. Bamboo is sometimes considered a sustainable hardwood option.

Before selecting, installing and enjoying your new wood floors, be sure to check with your Home Owner’s Association regarding any flooring restrictions.  Unless the building is steel and concrete, HOA's often have restrictions on putting tile or wood in upper floor condos, to help to keep the noise to a minimum on the lower floor. 

 

The Kitchen is Where the Heart Is

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home because people not only spend alot of time in this room, but an inviting kitchen can also be a gathering place . Why not make your kitchen shine? Because condo kitchens tend to be smaller, it is often better to replace and remodel the entire kitchen rather than just the appliances, countertops or cabinets.  If you just replace the counters, then it becomes harder  to justify replacing the cabinets a few years down the road because the counters will have to be replaced again as well. You can often negotiate a package deal from the contractor for an entire remodel and you can select the colors and finishes to coordinate. 

Stainless steel appliances are what most people are looking for these days, along with stone countertops like granite and quartz. Cabinets can be solid wood stained from light birch to dark espresso, or a clean white for a more modern look. Both white and stained wood options are "in" these days in new developments. 

Light Up the Value

Changing up your lighting fixtures is a cost-effective upgrade that can make a big impact. New lighting fixtures can emphasize the style of your home and bring attention to the best features, while outdated lighting fixtures can be a distraction. If you’re remodeling your kitchen, try adding  new pendant lights to hang over an island or bar, or consider under cabinet lights to brighten up work areas. In the bathroom, vanity lights can be basic and boring. Switching them out for subtle yet stylish fixtures can make the space feel more coherent and elegant.

Bring it All Together

After a remodel, a full paint job is probably in order, and you'll want to keep color palettes  consistent with the style you've set in your home.  Simple white is very popular with the modern look, and a slightly warmer brown is a good choice with a contemporary style too.  Splashes of color on certain walls can be an option, but it isn't as popular as it used to be, so make sure you don't overdo unless you are ok with repainting before you sell.

Whether you’ve purchased your first condo and you’re planning a floor to ceiling remodel, or you think you’ll be selling your place sometime soon and you want to add value here and there, try to keep in mind what other buyers  want. If you’re wondering the value of your condo, contact us today to find out where you stand and what you can do to boost that number.

 

Though not guaranteed, information and statistics in this article have been acquired from sources believed to be reliable.

Related Links

• New Construction Scottsdale Condos
• Sell My Scottsdale Condo