2021 Renovation Projects Mothers Can Hone In On

We all know single mothers don’t need more on their plate. Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, single mothers have doubled as teacher, babysitter, and remote worker — all while attempting to place their motherly duties first. 

If you’re also thinking about entering the real estate market soon, there may be another project knocking on your door soon: home renovation.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, home renovations have surged all across the nation, and most top real estate experts expect this trend to carry into the new year. 

While renovation projects aren’t necessarily imperative in this intense seller’s market, the needs of buyers have drastically shifted. If you want your home to be competitive, you might consider making some changes to your current home to match the needs of your potential buyers. But don’t worry. We’ll walk you through the best home upgrades to consider this year. 

Renovation projects to avoid

Spending more time at home is the new world norm. This means that potential buyers are looking for amenities that’ll keep them entertained right at home, but those sorts of amenities don’t always make much financial sense if you don’t have enough savings. 

Many real estate agents believe some homeowners who invested in huge renovation projects at the beginning of the pandemic may not see the return on investment they desire. For example, the following are a few of the top renovations projects taken on in 2020 that aren’t encouraged by top real estate agents: 

1. Installing a new pool or sauna
2. Create a home gym
3. Adding an extra room or structure to the yard
4. Converting existing rooms into a home office

Especially during an uncertain economy, it’s imperative to consider the cost of individual renovations before embarking on any grand plans. While you might think these projects may pay off in the long run and draw the attention of buyers, the cost of materials and labor has increased during the pandemic, so your plans may end up both taking much longer than expected, but also cost much more than you were anticipating. 

Renovation projects expected to have the highest ROI

If you have the savings for some significant renovations, the kitchen and bathrooms are the places to start. Real estate agents dub kitchen islands, walk-in pantries, and plenty of drawer and cabinet space as the top 3 kitchen amenities buyers are looking for in 2021. Likewise, a double vanity sink is the most desired bathroom upgrade buyers are seeking. 

The next place to start? Outside. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, buyers are now seeking homes with desirable outdoor spaces like never before. Features like fire pits, privacy fences, and outdoor kitchens are driving buyer attention. 

Though remember to always think simply. As a single mother, you might not have the savings for huge renovations, nor the time. Updating your curb appeal — including repainting the front door, buying prominent house numbers, or planting some flowers — is a relatively cheap endeavour that’ll give buyers a good first impression. Inside, if you do nothing else, simply deep cleaning, decluttering, and depersonalizing could set your property apart from the competition!