Top 9 Improvements for South Florida Homes
When the sun and sand are within your reach, what more could you ask for? How about some solar power panels on the roof, impact windows, and a remodeled kitchen? When you live in South Florida, the question is not whether you should make home improvements, but where you should start making them.
At Moving Squad, we thought we could point you in the right direction. After all, not all home improvements are created equal.
Popular Home Improvements in South Florida
In South Florida, where the climate fluctuates between balmy warmth and intense humidity, the top improvements for homes often focus on enhancing both comfort and resilience. Homeowners prioritize the installation of high-efficiency HVAC systems to manage indoor temperatures and ensure air quality. Landscaping improvements that include native plants and proper drainage systems can protect your South Florida property from erosion while conserving water.
And what about some smart home technology? It is increasingly used for its convenience and energy-saving potential. Home improvements contribute to their long-term value and sustainability. Planning on moving to South Florida? Or are you moving from South Florida? Here are the top seven improvements for your South Florida home that will get you the happiest returns on your investment.
Top Improvements for Your South Florida Homes
Ready to get moving, grooving, and improving? Read on to find out which home improvements have more to them than meets the eye.
1. Improving Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is paramount in home improvements. Consequently, energy-efficient homes are becoming more popular, particularly among first-time buyers. These buyers are drawn to such homes due to the promise of long-term savings. Want to get the best value for your investment? Choose an upgraded HVAC, water heater, or windows rather than solar panels. Additionally, homeowners who install new windows can expect to recoup 73% of the cost. Furthermore, they will enjoy the advantage of lower energy bills during the repayment period.
2. Curb Appeal
First impressions are key, especially in home sales, beginning the moment buyers view your home. Fortunately, enhancing curb appeal can be cost-effective. Simple actions, such as power washing or giving the front door a fresh coat of paint, can significantly elevate the home’s appearance. Additionally, investing in gardening can be particularly rewarding, with evidence suggesting it often yields a return of over 100% on the investment.
3. Kitchen Upgrade
According to the Miami Herald, kitchen renovation ranks first on the “joy score” (a.k.a.: the level of pleasure it brings to homeowners). Why not spark joy in the hearts of your prospective buyers by installing appliances? Or upgrading countertops, and switching out cabinet hardware? A major remodel will get you an 80% return on your investment, and a minor one will get you 92%. Then, it may be the difference between getting a maximum offer and an average one. Most realtors say that the kitchen sells the house, so why not consider remodeling your kitchen as an investment for the future?
4. Bathroom Remodel
Experts say that, after kitchens, bathrooms are the number two selling point in the house (no pun intended). Re-grouting tile, refreshing the caulk around the tub and toilet areas, and even switching out the toilet can fetch you a 70.1% return on your investment. Mirror and fixture upgrades add to the aesthetics, making them a perfect and simple home improvement for South Florida homes. According to Mike Higgins of Keller Williams, a tile shower could seal the deal when it comes to choosing between homes of similar price points.
5. Paint Job
One of the cheapest, and most effective home improvements, a paint job brightens rooms, hides imperfections, and makes a space feel instantly more inviting. You can expect to get a 107% return on your investment from an interior paint job. However, you can stand to get more if you choose your colors wisely. A few coats of Benjamin Moore Gray Owl paired with white trim is realtor recommended. It’s dark enough to contrast with the white borders but light enough to keep the room bright. Also painting the exterior of your home will lead to a return on your investment, namely 55%.
6. Flooring Fix
Covering up a shabby floor can get you a not-so-shabby return on your investment. New carpeting or flooring makes a significant difference to home buyers and can usually be installed inexpensively. If you want to go for the gold, though, hardwood can add 2.5% to the value of your home. Making it a great home improvement for your South Florida home. Popular woods run for about $5 to $10 per square foot plus the cost of installation. Therefore, hardwood could be a costly endeavor.
7. Increase Your (Livable) Square Footage
The size of houses in America has increased by almost 100% since 1950. Therefore, you can safely say that expanding the square footage of your home will not be done in vain. You can recoup 83% on a two-story addition. Further, 81% on an additional bathroom, 74% on a living room addition, and 73% on adding an attic bedroom. These add-ons are especially worthwhile home improvements if you’re looking to keep up with the Joneses. If you’re the only two-bedroom on the block, it will be hard for you to sell if the other houses on the block have three bedrooms.
8. Install a Pool
A pool is one of the best ways to enjoy the gorgeous and sometimes too steamy weather in South Florida. Though it will probably run you anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000, it’s an investment that increases the equity in your home. This translates to a much better home value. While permitting certainly takes a while and the installation may mean lots of noise for a few months. It is totally worth it to lounge around by the pool with a cold drink in hand and sunshine on your face. Unless you forget sunscreen, there is no way to get burned when adding a pool to your South Florida home.
9. Add a lanai or front porch
Another way to improve your South Florida home is to add a nice sitting area. This can be either in the back or front of your home. Sit back and relax in the balmy South Florida weather. Whether you want to screen in these areas or leave them open is up to you. However, screening in an area is a bit more work for a bit more return. You don’t need a very big space to accomplish your mission either. Just enough to put a lounge chair or two plus a small table for setting down a drink, and you are good to go.
Moving Squad: Improving Moving in South Florida
South Florida is a region where the sun shines brightly, and the weather can turn quickly. Therefore, we bring expertise in navigating the unique challenges of South Florida’s climate. We plan ahead to avoid disruptions caused by sudden storms, ensuring that the move stays on schedule.
At Moving Squad, a move is a journey in every sense of the term. Sometimes, it’s a life-changing experience and other times, it’s just a case of traveling from one place to another. But no matter how you define it, Moving Squad is committed to making it as easy and stress-free as possible.
Each move is unique. Whether it marks a significant change or a simple change of scenery, we tailor our services to your needs. This customer-centric approach means we provide a range of options. From packing and unpacking services to temporary storage solutions, all are designed to alleviate the typical pressures of moving.
Contact us today and let us know what your move entails. We’ll put together a customized package that fits your needs and your budget. From planning to packing to transport to storage. We know how to get the job done right with the high level of customer service.
So, while you work on your improving your home, let us work on improving your move. Call us today for a free quote, and we’ll get you moving in the right direction.
