Considering selling your home? Seattle’s hot real estate market makes for a dynamic buying and selling environment. It’s also a common time to consider remodel activities. But you might want to think twice--when it comes to home upgrades, you often spend more than you’ll recoup in increased sales price.

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2005 Cost vs. Value report, the average increase in value of many remodeling activities is less than the average cost to the owner. Of course, averages don’t tell the whole story: your project’s unique characteristics will determine whether a remodel is a sound component of your sales strategy. Read more.

Speculative remodels can also create waste. Often your personal tastes won’t mesh completely with the future owner of your home, meaning that new kitchen will likely be torn out and replaced soon after it’s been installed. Examine the return on investment carefully, and consider whether the remodel is worth the financial and environmental cost.

Select Enhancements Strategically
Simple enhancements to your home can help make it sell more quickly and even for a premium, without costing too much money or wasting resources. "Curb appeal" is frequently cited as a major selling point for a home by real estate agents. Key to curb appeal is well-kept landscape and home exterior. If you’re planning on enhancing the yard with some select plants, look for varieties that will thrive in the environment you’re considering. Seattle Public Utilities offers great information on plant selection in their Natural Lawn & Garden guides.

Often a fresh coat of paint is all that’s needed to enliven a home. Look to our Green Home Remodel Painting guide to learn how to select and use paint for long-lasting and low-impact results.

Consider Built Green
If you decide the home needs a remodel prior to resale, consider using the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties’ Built Green checklist on your project. Their Remodeler offers hundreds of suggestions for greening an existing home. And a completed checklist with Built Green certification can serve as a selling point for your home. See the Built Green website for details (click on "Remodeler" for the remodel checklist).

Consult our Green Home Remodel Guides
For design and material selection tips for your green remodel, visit the Green Home Remodel section of our website. You’ll find project-specific tips for everything from painting to roofing.