One thing to always keep in mind is not to over improve your home for the neighborhood. Make friends with your neighbors and see what they have in their homes. Kitchen and bath upgrades are always winners. Neutral decor is also a winner. One of the single biggest comments I hear from buyers has to do with wacky color schemes. Nice neutral paint colors throughout, wood floors are always more desireable than carpet, crown molding is nice, as are nice baseboards, CAC is another nice upgrade that makes your home more saleable. Granite is nice, but it's not a big deal anymore - there was a big scare recently about the increase in radon emissions coming from imported granites and that has scared a lot of people. Definitely go for a nice upgraded counter top though. Black appliances are just as popular as stainless now, just have nice appliances with good features and energy efficiency is hot now too. Double paned replacement windows are also a real plus because they are more efficient than single pane.
I'd be happy to meet with you and go through your home and help you decide what things would be big selling points for future value.

All are great suggestions. Foremost, only make those upgrades you can now afford. Make sure your base is solid. Get solid wood kitchen cabinets, they can always be refinished if need be. New counters can always be added, do you really need them now? Hardwood floors (the new ones of today) are always going to be in demand. But they too can be added later. So don't go overboard and get your house payment too high. You can change and add things later. Light fixtures, etc. Whatever you get now is going to look not so new in 6 years anyway. Who knows what buyers will want then. Stick to the good basics and upgrade after you live in the house for awhile. (Why finance it for 30 years anyway?)
Good luck!
Cher
ZipRealty
410-913-1477

Kitchen and Bath upgrades or adding a bath or half bath, new windows, adding and extra bed room by finishing the basement, adding a deck, improving the landscaping are all good ways to to invest in your home and see a good return.

I agree, styles change, but you can never argue with extra space. Adding square footage of finished space is usually a good way to go.

I too see hard wood floors and energy efficient options as something that will keep their value.

Additionally, I will agree with Sam in that the little intimate details of a home can also make it feel more expensive like the door knobs, light fixtures and light switches. Things that one's hands touch when using the house like hollow doors as opposed to solid ones can effect how someone will value the property. I even like to change the switch plates if they look in disarray.

All this being said, it CAN be a mistake to OVER improve your home for the neighborhood. Get a Realtor to show you recent sales for the area to see if improving makes sense. Regardless of improvements the market may only support a sale price which is less than your investment!

Hope that helps.

Good Luck!

Brian

Yes to the counter tops in the kitchen, not so much in the baths - but a plus. stainless is good butnot a 5 yr investment - can easily be "oh how 5 minutes ago" . Black steel is going to be "next" if you can get and like that. Good chance you'd find the appliances a little out dated in five years anyway. If possible sep shower and tub is an important option always, and the only really durable value is in hardwood floors and larger, deeper crown moldings, and trim. Also any energy efficient, green options are a go.
Best to plan to budget for fresh carpet in any non hardwood areas, and fresh neutral paint through out when you are ready to sell. good luck.

Kitchen upgrade, medium quality in hardwood floor, crown molding, and modern wall/ ceiling paint matching....
Energy efficient features, solar, dbl pane windows, recessed lights.....

Also small things like light fixtures, faucet and even heat vents help to make home more modern.....