What do Buyers want most from a resale?

This is a continuation of the preceding Remodeling Post.

When considering remodeling it's always nice to know which items will yield the most
"bang- for- your-buck", when you eventually sell your home. Why, for example would you want to convert a garage to extra living space, if that expense isn't easily recovered.

We all know remodeling costs can exceed tens of thousands, so its wise to evaluate each item against "need" and "resale value" as well. Of course, if you plan to stay in your present home indefinitely, then "need and budget" reign supreme; but remember the average time for Americans in a home is about 5-7 years.

The list below gives an estimate (by percentage) of typical Buyer's survey when considering a resale home and what really matters. According to Remodeling magazine’s 20Th annual Cost vs. Value Report, the top five mid range home improvements that bring the greatest returns are:

1. A deck addition, 85.4% of the buyers surveyed said this would be their #1 priority
2. Siding replacement, 83.2 %,
3. Minor kitchen remodel, 83%, new appliances, fixtures, etc.
4. Wood window replacement, 81.2%
5. Vinyl window replacement, 79.3%