Sometimes, you remodel and make selections for your forever home. You know it will be your home for many years, and you want to get everything right.

Other times, you’re upgrading for a future sale. You know it’s coming. You’re moving for work, or downsizing for a home better suited for your needs. In either case, your remodeling efforts are about upgrading curb appeal and getting maximum profit.

It all starts with your flooring. Choose correctly, and it will improve home resale value. But how do you know what to select?

Why people buy

When people are looking for a new house, they walk in with specific things in mind. The closer your home matches their needs and desires, the more likely they’ll put in a bid.

For the most part, they go in with logical expectations:

• They need enough bedrooms for the family, and enough bathrooms to match their needs.
• They have a specific size in mind, and won’t settle for less square footage.
• They want a home that blends in with the neighborhood – nobody wants to stand out.
• They care about geography – is it convenient to work and schools?
• They want the wow factor – can they see themselves living there?

Many people start with an online listing. Size of house? Check. Enough bedrooms? Check.

They can even get a pretty good idea of curb appeal. With the right photos, an online listing can almost sell itself. If the photos aren’t professional, they aren’t telling the whole story, which impacts traffic to your home.

Yet, for most people, they need the wow factor. They walk in. They take in the ambiance. They see the quality. And they know if it’s suitable for their lifestyle.

That starts with the flooring.

Picture walking in to find beautiful hardwood floors glimmering in the light. It’s inviting you in to take another look.

Now, picture dingy, grimy carpet with stains every few feet. It looks like it’s decades old, and hasn’t been cleaned in that time.

All the freshly painted walls or elegant furnishings won’t change a person’s mind once they notice the flooring. It’s the base for everything.

That’s where you start to make a good impression.

Remodeling? Start with the flooring

Consumers remodel for a variety of reasons:

• To upgrade outdated or worn-out furnishings
• To add features and improve livability
• To add new life to a room

When homeowners think of a kitchen remodel, for instance, they might go right to picking out cabinets or selecting backsplashes. But it’s the flooring that sets the stage. It’s what people notice from the moment they walk in. It’s what draws your eye to the rest of the room.

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, new flooring tops the list for cost recovery, provides a 10 out of 10 in the Joy Score, and continues to be one of the best home improvements you can make.

If you’re remodeling for your own satisfaction, to upgrade your forever house, go wild. Choose anything that will make you happy and enjoy it for many years.

If you’re remodeling for resale value, start by satisfying your own tastes, but keep a buyer’s tastes in mind, too. This is where one of our sales associates can help. We can advise you on what ticks off satisfaction ratings for most homeowners. Think neutral. Think warm.

What type of flooring attracts buyers?

At the end of the day, you need to think about what buyers want. If you’re prepping your home for selling, give buyers premium flooring.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors consistently top the list of requests. They’re timeless and always in style. They never seem to go out of fashion. Potential buyers love walking into a home and seeing those beautiful, gleaming hardwood floors.

Looks are important, but let’s also talk durability. Hardwood can take a beating and still look fabulous. High heels, kids running around with who knows what on their shoes, maybe even a clumsy friend who spills their drink: hardwood can handle it. Plus, it’s super easy to clean. A quick sweep and mop, and you’re good to go. Who wouldn’t want that kind of low-maintenance elegance?

And the resale value? Hardwood floors can be a significant selling point. Buyers see it and instantly check a box on their wishlist. It’s an investment that often pays off when closing the deal. People are willing to pay a bit more for a home with hardwood floors because they know it’s a feature they’ll love for years to come.

Luxury vinyl planks

When most homeowners hear “vinyl,” they think of grandma’s kitchen. Not true. Luxury vinyl planks can mimic the look of hardwood, tile, or just about anything else. And they provide things hardwood can’t.

Let’s start with durability. LVP is like the superhero of flooring options. It can handle spills, scratches, and the chaos of everyday life. If you’ve got pets or kids running around, it’s a game-changer. Plus, it’s water-resistant, sometimes waterproof, depending on the manufacturer, so you don’t need to panic if someone spills their drink or if Fido has an accident. Easy cleanup, no stress.

Worried about looks? You get the aesthetic of hardwood floors without the hefty price tag. Luxury vinyl planks have fooled many flooring connoisseurs into thinking it’s real. So, it’s budget-friendly, but it doesn’t scream “cheap.” It’s affordable but classy.

Buyers these days are all about practicality and style, and luxury vinyl checks both boxes. It’s the kind of flooring that makes a potential buyer say, “Wow, this place is modern and low-maintenance.” They’ll appreciate the look, the durability, and the fact that they won’t need to stress about it after moving in.

Tile

We can’t talk about resale value without mentioning tile. It’s been high on buyers’ wishlists for decades, and that won’t change anytime soon.

Ceramic, porcelain, stone – whatever tile you invest in, you’ll have a quality flooring product that can handle whatever life throws at them. Got a spill? No problem. Just wipe it up, and your floors are as good as new. Plus, tiles are resistant to scratches, so you won’t have to stress about furniture rearrangement or that one friend who insists on wearing stilettos indoors.

With tile, the choices are endless. Whether you go for ceramic, porcelain, or stone, you’ve got unlimited styles and colors to choose from. It’s like being a kid in a candy store, but for grown-ups who appreciate a good-looking floor. Want a rustic vibe? Go for stone. Prefer a sleek, modern look? Porcelain has your back. The customization options are a dream for any homeowner looking to make their mark.

That’s what makes tile great for resale value. Potential buyers love when a high-quality tile is in place. It’s a premium feature that can set your home apart in the market. People are willing to pay a bit more for the luxury and durability of tile flooring. It’s not just a floor; it’s an investment that can pay off big time when it comes time to sell.

What’s your flooring choice?

When upgrading your home, flooring should always top the list. If you’re considering selling in the future, pay attention to what homebuyers want.

Certain flooring choices provide you with higher resale value. Homebuyers want what they want – by giving them hardwood, luxury vinyl planks, or tile, you’ll be setting yourself up for maximum potential and higher curb appeal.

And isn’t that what matters most?

How can we help you select the right flooring for your remodel?