Your Flooring Renovation Questions Answered
Are you thinking about selling your home? Have you started your list of things to update? A kitchen refresh and a bathroom remodel may be at the top of your list, but don’t overlook updating your floors. A kitchen with brand new appliances and cabinets won’t look right if the floor is an outdated linoleum. New flooring can make a huge impact and may help your home sell faster. But what are buyers looking for? We looked at some of the most common flooring renovation questions from sellers and answered them.
5 Common Questions Sellers Ask About Flooring
QUESTION 1: WHAT COLOR HARDWOOD IS BEST FOR RESALE?
Hardwood flooring is the most sought-after flooring in a new home. According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors, new hardwood was the fourth most enticing update buyers looked for when shopping for a new home. Realtors also say homes with hardwood sell faster and for more than homes without it. In recent years, the gray-toned hardwoods have been trending, but recently that gray-tone is warming up to blondes and warm beiges. Our advice is to keep your color choice neutral. Neutral colors allow for the most versatile design styles, which will appeal to more buyers.
QUESTION 2: SHOULD FLOORING BE THE SAME THROUGH THE WHOLE HOUSE?
Sticking with consistent flooring throughout a home is one of the best things you can do when selecting new floors. When we say “consistent flooring” this can be more than one floor type. You can achieve a cohesive look with hardwood in the living areas, tile in the bathrooms, and carpet in the bedrooms! By coordinating colors and installing transitions, you can create a uniform look throughout the home. What buyers don’t want to see is two different colors of carpet clashing against one another or a very amber-colored hardwood meeting a cool gray tile in the kitchen or bathroom.
In some cases, installing the same flooring throughout the home may work! For many, it won’t. For instance, wet areas and bedrooms don’t have the same function; therefore, one flooring material may not accommodate these two different zones’ needs.
QUESTION 3: DOES LAMINATE/LUXURY VINYL DECREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME?
Replacing your flooring with hardwood can come with a hefty price tag that may not be in your renovation budget. Thankfully, there are products that are durable, beautiful, and mimic the beauty of hardwood floors. Both laminate and luxury vinyl are popular flooring options and generally come at a lower price than hardwood. If your floors are outdated, worn, or damaged, updating them with luxury vinyl or laminate will increase your home value. In most other cases, these options may not add much value to your home, but they will not detract from its value either.
QUESTION 4: WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR KITCHEN FLOORING?
In the last few years, homeowners are becoming more attracted to the idea of laying waterproof vinyl in their kitchens and wet areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms. This is the fastest-growing flooring segment in the market and is categorized as WPC and SPC (you can read more about these products here). There are hundreds of wood-look and stone-look waterproof floors to choose from and they are generally less expensive than solid hardwood or natural stone. Other than waterproof vinyl, ceramic tile is another popular flooring choice for kitchens. With durability and inherent waterproof properties mixed with an endless variety of styles, tile is an excellent choice for kitchens. However, we suggest sticking with a stone-look or wood-look tile to appeal to the most buyers.
QUESTION 5: DO BUYERS WANT CARPET IN BEDROOMS?
Buyers prefer hard surfaces everywhere in the home except the bedroom. Carpet is the most popular choice for flooring in bedrooms. This year, people have bought more carpet than they have in the recent past as they look to turn their homes into sanctuaries. Carpet is warm, comfortable, and quiet, which makes it perfect for private areas like bedrooms. If you choose to install carpet in bedrooms, be sure to coordinate it with the flooring in the rest of the home. Replacing your existing carpet with new carpet will be more appealing to home buyers. However, suppose this isn’t in your budget. In that case, you need to have it professionally cleaned with hot water extraction to refresh it and eliminate any stains or soiling.
OTHER ADVICE
Every region is different, so look at homes in your area, especially those recently sold. Do you notice any colors, styles, or materials that show up repeatedly? Would any of those work with the look of your home? It is essential to be aware of your area’s styles so that you can fit in the market. Suppose you have an older home in a historic district, and you are looking to update your flooring. Chances are that the buyer who is looking in your area doesn’t want to see coastal-look whitewashed floors. They would be more interested in seeing the original hardwood floors refinished (if they’re in good condition) or new character-filled hardwood floors. Likewise, a buyer looking at homes near the beach would be much more interested in seeing light-colored, coastal style flooring than a rustic barnwood style floor. If you are still unsure how to approach renovating your floors, visit a trusted local flooring retailer.
