Best Flooring For Selling a House
When it comes time to put your house on the market, one of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether or not to replace your flooring. Flooring can significantly impact the perceived value of your property and can be a deciding factor for potential buyers. So, what are the best flooring options for selling a house? We’ll look at some of the most popular choices and discuss the pros and cons of each.
How Important Is Flooring When Selling a House?
Flooring is often overlooked as a feature that can affect the perception and value of a house. But investing time, energy, and money in remodelling projects, especially in flooring, is crucial for homeowners planning to sell their homes. The floors of a home can make or break a home sale, as they set the tone and mood for the entire house. In fact, according to a top real estate agent, flooring is the next most important factor influencing how buyers feel about a home, after the basics like the roof and mechanical things.
When renovating, it is essential to pay attention to floors, as they are the true constant in any home. Potential buyers will walk into every single room of your home, and they will be standing on the floors at every single moment. In addition, homes for sale often have no furniture or minimal furnishings, emphasising the amount of floor space a potential buyer sees. Therefore, the condition of the flooring is important, and ignoring it can dissuade potential buyers from making a purchase.
Best Flooring to Increase Your Home Value
Choosing new flooring for your home can be exciting but also daunting due to the overwhelming number of products on the market. To simplify it, we’ve compiled some options that provide the best return on investment (ROI).
According to a recent National Association of Realtors study, solid timber flooring is the top choice for buyers and agents alike. Research showed that 90% of homeowners who upgrade to timber floors have a greater desire to be home. Not only that, but 77% also report an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re relaxing at home. Refinishing timber floors resulted in a remarkable 147% restoration of costs while installing new hardwood floors yielded a recovery of 118% in increased resale value compared to the original project cost. Homeowners also love the results, with installing new wood flooring scoring perfect marks in NAR’s assessment of homeowner satisfaction with remodelling projects.
Timber Flooring for Selling a House
Timber floors are a fabulous option for improving any property, especially in Australia, where they are ideal for our weather conditions. With its timeless quality and durability, timber is a popular choice among homebuyers due to its ability to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Variations in timber species, plank sizes, laying patterns, and flooring finishes mean that timber flooring can be inserted into any style or decor.
According to real estate experts, timber flooring can increase the sale price of your property by up to 2.5%. Whether you choose solid timber or engineered timber flooring makes little difference in ROI. Choose the one that works best for the location in which it will be installed and your region’s climate (engineered wood for humid areas, engineered or solid timber for dry climates).
Solid Timber Flooring
Solid timber flooring is a timeless choice for homeowners who value warmth, beauty, and durability. These floors are a popular option for homes and tend to attract many buyers. With a variety of styles and finishes available, solid timber floors offer something for everyone. However, these floors typically have a higher price tag and require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best.
Other than perhaps engineered timber floors, few flooring options can rival a solid timber floor’s charm and timeless style. It is not surprising that homebuyers are willing to pay more for a home with solid timber floors due to their timeless design and capability to be refinished multiple times.
Installing hardwood floors in your home can give you a high return on investment of approximately 106%. This sought-after feature can increase your home’s sale price by up to 2.5% and help it sell faster, as confirmed by real estate experts. Despite the high cost of installing hardwood floors, they are durable and versatile, and buyers are willing to pay extra for them. Experts suggest that hardwood flooring has a wow factor that can recoup up to 1.5 times its cost when selling your home.
Engineered Timber Flooring
Engineered timber flooring is an excellent option for those who want the timeless beauty of hardwood floors but at a more affordable cost. Since engineered and solid timber floors offer a comparable ROI for homeowners, choosing between the two comes down to space requirements and personal preferences.
Engineered timber can be a cost-effective alternative to hardwood flooring. It offers an authentic timber appearance without high supply, installation, and maintenance costs. It is also suitable for areas unsuitable for solid wood, such as basements or other high-moisture locations. Engineered timber flooring stands up better to fluctuations in relative humidity. Additionally, many types of engineered timber can be quickly installed using a floating floor method while maintaining stability and durability.
The top layer of engineered timber features an authentic and beautiful timber veneer. This cross-layer construction gives engineered hardwood the same beauty and charm of solid hardwood while making it more resistant to humidity.
If you want to enhance your property’s value, consider using engineered timber floors instead of hardwood flooring, especially if your property value is low. For cost-conscious home buyers and sellers, opting for engineered timber floors is an attractive alternative, as they offer the same aesthetically pleasing appearance as timber floors but at a cheaper cost.
Repairing Timber Floors for Resale
Proper maintenance of timber floors can increase a home’s value. Repairing and refinishing worn floors can make them look brand new again. A proper inspection of the floors should be done to determine whether repairs or replacements are necessary. Ensuring the floors are in good condition with minimal creaking, warping, and sagging is vital.
Here are a few tips to ensure your timber floors are a key selling factor:
- Ensure flooring is in good condition with minimal creaking, areas of sagging, and warping
- Sand and refinish worn floors to give them a new sheen.
- Give them a proper clean. Even a little effort can go a long way in making old floors look great.
Owning a home with hardwood flooring is a valuable investment in today’s market. Should you be fortunate enough to have this feature in your home, taking the necessary steps to uphold and protect it for future home resale purposes is crucial. Homeowners are advised to refinish solid timber floors where possible rather than replacing them with lower-quality materials.
Timber Flooring Alternatives for Selling a House
Synthetic materials such as laminate, vinyl, and hybid flooring are becoming more popular among homeowners. Timber-look flooring is a cost-effective and modern option that can provide an updated look for a home without a huge expense. It’s scratch-resistant, pet-proof, and easy to install. Synthetic timber flooring has evolved to the point that it can be difficult to differentiate between real timber and synthetic wood floors. Laminate and vinyl are especially useful in humid climates and high-moisture rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly alternative to timber that offers durability and requires less upkeep. It can withstand high traffic and pet activity without visible damage. However, it may not increase the perceived value of a home as much as timber flooring.
Laminate flooring is low-maintenance, stain-resistant, and scratch-resistant, making it a popular choice among homeowners. High-quality laminate has improved significantly over earlier generations, with better durability and water resistance. It’s better suited for smaller homes and apartments, and realistic designs are crucial for successful sales.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is a cost-effective option that can replicate the look of timber flooring while being durable and resistant to spills and accidents. This makes it an excellent choice for busy families with young children. Vinyl plank and tile floors offer affordability, durability, and ease of maintenance, similar to laminate flooring.
Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are a popular alternative to timber floors and are easy to install. LVP is waterproof and works well in areas like kitchens and basements where water or moisture may be a concern. Although vinyl flooring may not maximise resale value in the long run, it can help extend the life of your floors.
Which room’s floors matter most when it comes to home resale value?
When selling a home, focusing on the surfaces that receive the most wear and tear and key areas around the house is essential. Bathrooms and kitchens are particularly susceptible to damage and can quickly become outdated. The entryway, living areas, dining areas, and kitchen are the primary spaces buyers will notice, setting the tone for the rest of the home. Therefore, it’s crucial to prioritise getting the flooring right in these areas.
According to a top real estate agent, buyers prefer hard surfaces in the main areas of the home, such as wood or laminate flooring, over carpeting. Focusing on these areas can make your home more appealing to potential buyers and increase your chances of selling quickly.
Incorporating one main flooring surface throughout your home creates an illusion of spaciousness and unity. To avoid confusing potential buyers, it’s best to provide one consistent style of flooring throughout your home whenever possible. Inconsistent flooring styles can be off-putting, especially if they abruptly transition from one type to another or vary in colour. Smooth flooring transitions create a sense of flow throughout the house and can increase your home’s value.
The only areas where consistency is less important are spaces requiring waterproof or water-resistant flooring, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Waterproof vinyl or laminate flooring is better suited for these areas, even if the rest of your home has timber floors.
Potential home buyers often consider the flooring when deciding whether to make an offer on a property. Upgrading your flooring can provide a significant advantage in today’s market. Although timber flooring is the most desirable option, luxury vinyl and wood laminate are also excellent choices if you’re on a budget.
When deciding on the best flooring option for selling your house, it’s crucial to consider your budget and specific situation. While each flooring option has pros and cons, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Factors such as your lifestyle, target buyer, and home’s layout and style should be taken into account. By carefully weighing these factors, you can find the best flooring option that provides an excellent return on investment.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!