How Important is Flooring to a Potential Buyer?

Flooring is one of the first features homebuyers look for – make sure yours is ready for the spotlight

If you are planning on selling your home, one of the biggest questions you’ll ask yourself is what you should do with the flooring. Should you upgrade? Should you replace it? Will it even make a difference? Homeowners are sometimes hesitant to upgrade when it’s time to sell, and rightfully so. It’s hard to rationalize putting more money into a home you won’t be living in much longer.

However, new floors can add resale value to your home and appeal to potential buyers. In a group of surveys completed by 100 experienced real estate agents and 1,000 property buyers and sellers, 72% said flooring was a very important area of the house for potential buyers. Depending on the types of floors you currently have, or what you want to change them to, buyers will be taking note.

Hardwood floors

Hardwood flooring makes your rooms seem cleaner and more spacious. They are also easier to maintain and more durable than carpet, which needs to be replaced every eight to 10 years. According to USA Today and the National Association of Realtors, buyers are willing to spend over $2,000 more on a house that comes with hardwood flooring. Additionally, 95% of the real estate agents, buyers, and sellers surveyed said that installing hardwood floors is a good investment and can increase a home’s chance of being sold by 41 percent.

Sellers on a budget have the option of buying prefinished hardwood flooring that can cost approximately $1,300 for 120 square feet, which is about ten percent cheaper than unfinished hardwood.

Carpet

If your carpet is old and worn, you definitely should consider making some changes. For homeowners who have wall-to-wall carpeting, a home with old or stained carpet will have trouble selling. Carpets can show more damage than almost any other part of your home, and they hold a lot of dirt and odor. Some simply need a deep cleaning from a professional carpet cleaning company. Otherwise, your options are to consider replacing the flooring or refinishing the old hardwood underneath and using rugs to disguise the look of old flooring.

The average costs for carpeting can range from between $19 to $38 per square foot. A more cost-effective option can be carpet tiles, depending on the types of carpet you’re considering.

Flooring is a factor in selling your home

Regardless of the flooring you currently have, it is a major factor in the success you will have in selling your home. While hardwood flooring might be preferred, with 28% of buyers between the ages of 35 and 54 claiming hardwood floors are “very important” when looking for a home, it’s really about flooring that looks clean and new. Whether you have carpet, tile, or hardwood, you want it to look desirable.

There is no better advice about whether your flooring needs fixing than the guidance from your Realtor. For more remodeling tips and advice from real estate professionals that care, contact Dante Disabalto. He prides himself on providing concierge service, meaning he will work tirelessly to ensure satisfaction for both the buyer and the seller. Whether you need help with your flooring or advice on a new investment opportunity, Dante Disabalto is your one-stop shop.