31 May How Flooring Affects Home Value

The floors in a home are a major selling point for many buyers and can add significantly to the asking price for sellers. Real estate agents have discovered that flooring has a much larger impact on a buyer than many people ever suspected. The flooring is essentially a showcase for the surroundings as people walk from room to room.

The top choice for flooring continues to be hardwood. Real estate agents say 90 percent of homes with hardwood floors command higher prices and they’re much easier to sell. Individuals can expect to see an average return on investment (ROI) of 70 to 80 percent when hardwood floors are installed. The color of hardwood floors also influences pricing.

Marble, tile and stone are perhaps the second most popular options. Homeowners can expect an average ROI of 70 percent for ceramic tile in terms of resale value, 55 percent on porcelain tile, 55-70 percent on stone, and less than 50 percent for marble due to the cost of material. Tile, stone and marble are all good choices, particularly in locations that regularly experience high humidity levels as they resist mold and warping.

Luxury vinyl and linoleum are two of the most cost-effective types of flooring, with laminate costing less of the two. Modern manufacturing processes have created choices for both that imitate tile and hardwood flooring. Still, homeowners won’t see a significant increase in the overall value of their home with either one.

Once considered the epitome of luxury, carpeting requires more work to clean and maintain. A great many buyers will automatically turn down any home containing carpeting. For individuals that choose to install carpeting, the ROI ranges from 25 to 40 percent.

It’s important for homeowners to understand that buyers enter a potential home with preconceived ideas about what they want and how it should appear. Unfortunately, much of what buyers envision is based on images in popular magazines. Individuals should choose flooring options that are affordable and durable for an investment they won’t regret.