Rebecca Hidalgo

Integrity All Stars Realty

The East Valley real estate market is still dealing with persistently high interest rates despite home prices dropping in some East Valley cities. The current buyer’s market in many cities is causing many sellers to wait for home prices to rise before putting their house on the market. However, smart sellers are not sitting on their hands and waiting for home values to go up. Many are investing in their homes by installing custom home features that have a good return on investment.

As a real estate agent in the East Valley, I have seen many homeowners increase the value of their home by investing in popular custom home improvements. Here are some custom features with an amazing return on investment.

Installing custom cabinets

It is common knowledge that kitchen remodels add the most value to you home. Remodeling your kitchen will add value to your home and make it significantly easier to sell when you put it on the market.

One of the most prominent features in your kitchen are the kitchen cabinets. The design and storage space of your kitchen cabinets are an essential component to the value of your home. Most people don’t want to purchase a home with cheap and poorly placed cabinets. This is why investing in high-quality custom cabinets is a great move for any homeowner looking to make their home more appealing to buyers.

Jared Robinson, the owner of Robinson Trim, a custom cabinet maker in Gilbert, said investing in custom cabinets is always going to return more value than purchasing and installing cookie cutter cabinets.

“Custom cabinets are a safe and valuable investment because unlike mass produced cabinets, custom cabinets are specifically designed for your kitchen,” Robinson said. “They are more functional because they are made for the dimension of your kitchen.”

Custom cabinets can be designed with pull outs and large dividers which allow for a lot of creative ways to add storage space and functionality. They are also more detailed, have longer durability, and the best part is that you are involved in the entire design process from start to finish.

Buyers want to purchase a home that is unique and high quality and custom cabinets give your kitchen the look and feel of a unique, high-quality and functional kitchen.

A master bathroom remodel

A bathroom remodel will not add as much value as a kitchen remodel, but it is a close second when it comes to a great ROI. A master bathroom with a beautiful walk-in shower and a spacious area to get ready for work or dress up for a night out will appeal to any couple looking to buy a home. We spend a lot of time in the master bathroom, making sure we look our best so making sure that space is functional and comfortable is essential.

A standing shower with custom backsplash and new hardware is going to add value to your home. Your shower is one of the first things prospective buyers will look at when they tour the master bathroom for the first time. If the walk-in shower stands out so will the rest of the bathroom.

I would also recommend adding a custom vanity with large mirrors and adjustable lighting. This makes the bathroom ideal for getting ready which most women will appreciate.

Investing in custom features in your bathroom is worth it when it comes time to put your house on the market.

A fresh coat of paint

An exterior custom paint job is a simple home improvement that can significantly improve the appearance and value of your home.

Kelly Mardis, owner of Marcel Painting in Tempe, said an exterior paint job is always a great home improvement that is significantly less costly than a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

“A fresh coat of paint increases home value because the outside of your home is the first indicator of quality when a buyer arrives to tour the space,” Mardis said. “A nicely painted home gives the buyer the impression that the rest of the home looks great. It’s a great investment because it makes your home look brand new without the heavy upfront cost of a bathroom or kitchen remodel.

An exterior paint job will increase the value of your home provided you paint your house a neutral color. All buyers like a home painted white, black, or beige, but painting your house bold and bright color like pink or red will turnoff many buyers before they set foot in your home.

Integrity All Stars Realty, https://www.integrityallstars.com/, is a real estate firm in Chandler. Hidalgo has over 30 years of experience helping East Valley residents buy and sell their homes. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.