Should I refinish my hardwood floors before selling?

Author: Anastacio Connelly PhD  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 29, 2022

If you're thinking about selling your home and it has hardwood flooring that's scratched and worn, you would be wise to have it refinished before listing the property. Having hardwood floors refinished can cost thousands of dollars, but it will be money well spent.

Is it worth refinishing hardwood floors for resale?

Refinishing hardwood floors adds resale value and contributes to homes selling quicker and often for more money. That is because hardwood floors are the preferred flooring choice among prospective home buyers now more than ever before and homeowners who make the smart choice of offering wood floors reap the benefits.

Should I redo my floors before selling?

Replacing your old flooring before selling will improve the look of your home, but also increase its resale value. Before you install new flooring, you should make sure that your old flooring is thoroughly removed to make a clean slate.

Does original hardwood floors increase home value?

As CNN reported, hardwood floors can also increase home value by 3-5%. This makes them a very attractive prospect for anyone looking to sell their house in the near future. However, even if you don't plan on moving any time soon, hardwood floors may still be a good investment.

Does redoing floors increase home value?

Most homeowners find about a seventy percent ROI on new floors when they go to sell their house. So the short answer is yes. New floors can add a lot of value to your home if done right.

How To Sand & Refinish Hardwood Floors

Which flooring adds value to home?

When it comes down to finding the best flooring to increase home value, it all boils down to your market. Hardwood will likely give you the highest return, but laminate and luxury vinyl plank flooring also offer plenty of perks to buyers.

What flooring is best for selling a house?

Solid hardwood or tile flooring can also work since the materials are well suited to almost any room. According to real estate agents, hardwood is the best flooring option to sell a house fast and also at top dollar.

How much value does refinishing hardwood floors add?

5. Flooring – Replacing outdated carpet or flooring, or simply refinishing wood floors that have seen better days, will definitely increase the value of your home, with a 102% return on investment. 6.

Do buyers prefer hardwood?

Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “Most buyers prefer hardwood. For selling purposes, it is better to have hardwood. If there is not hardwood in the home already, and it is cost prohibitive to put hardwood in, then in most cases, new carpet should be put in prior to resale. Buyers like tile flooring in the bathrooms.

Are hardwood floors a good investment?

The average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80% according to Realtor.com, with hardwood floors boosting resale value by as much as 2.5% for a strong return on investment home renovation.

Should I make repairs to my home before selling?

Minimum improvements to consider making before selling your home include patching holes and cracks in the walls and ceilings, and fixing broken appliances and HVAC systems. Repair leaky faucets. Replace broken window glass, and repair the roof if necessary. Change any dated light fixtures or ceiling fans.

Should all my floors match?

Do floors need to exactly match your countertops or other fixtures? No. Instead, try to coordinate with them in the same way you would coordinate with the other floors. This goes a long way towards creating a well-balanced and well-designed space.

How does flooring affect home value?

“According to real estate experts, the average ROI (rate on investment) for installing hardwood floors is about 70 percent to 80 percent, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5 percent” notes realtor.com.

Will refinishing hardwood floors remove scratches?

Refinishing hardwood floors is the right solution. All wood floors are protected by a clear coating that eventually becomes scratched, scuffed and dull. Hardwood floor refinishing can help you get rid of those unsightly scratches and marks.

Are old hardwood floors valuable?

If an existing hardwood floor is looks dull and worn, and you recoat or resand and finish it, then you're adding some real value beyond aesthetic taste. An appraiser may recognize this value by rating the overall condition of the home as very good versus fair.

How soon can you walk on refinished hardwood floors?

After you've refinished your hardwood floors, you need to wait before walking on them and/or moving (or returning furniture). At a minimum, you should wait at least 24 hrs before walking on the floors; for hours 24-48, it's best to wear socks only (no shoes, no bare feet).

What color hardwood floor is best for resale?

Dark stained hardwood flooring is by far the best selection when it comes to overall popularity and resale value. Some of the best darks stains for wood are espresso, dark walnut, and antique brown. These darker colors often give way to more color combinations since they do not lean towards a yellow or orange tint.

Should flooring be the same throughout the house?

There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.

Does painting increase home value?

Increase your home's value

Both interior and exterior painting are projects with a significant return-on-investment (ROI). On average nationally, painting both the inside and outside of your home yields a $4,000+ value bump. That's a 107% ROI for interior painting and a 55% ROI for exterior painting.

What home improvements do not add value?

  • 6 House Improvements To Avoid. ...
  • A Swimming Pool Or Hot Tub. ...
  • Elaborate Professional Landscaping. ...
  • Garage Conversion. ...
  • Unique Wallpaper. ...
  • Sunrooms. ...
  • Bedroom Conversion. ...
  • 4 Renovation Projects To Increase Home Value.

How do you professionally refinish hardwood floors?

Prepare the Floor for Refinishing
  1. Prepare the Floor for Refinishing. Take the following steps before wood floor refinishing. ...
  2. Pull Up the Shoe Base Moulding. ...
  3. Rough-Sand the Floor. ...
  4. Sand the Edges and Corners. ...
  5. Screen Sand the Floor. ...
  6. Remove All Dust. ...
  7. Apply the Wood Stain. ...
  8. Apply the Finish.

Is redoing hardwood floors hard?

The hardwood floor refinishing process is easier and less expensive than sanding down to bare wood and takes less time. In a few hours, your floors will look as good as new. The job requires using a buffer, which you can rent at a home center, and a vacuum to suck up dust.

Do buyers prefer carpet in bedrooms?

Carpet In The City

Chiaramonte says that some buyers still prefer soft flooring for bedrooms. However, they usually avoid carpeting the entire room. “It's far easier to redo or change the feeling in a room by purchasing a new rug!

How can I increase the value of my house?

6 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home
  1. Update your home's finishes. ...
  2. Upgrade to energy-efficient features and appliances. ...
  3. Freshen up your curb appeal. ...
  4. Put your money into your kitchen and bathroom. ...
  5. Finish off your basement or other unfinished spaces. ...
  6. Clean and declutter before showing your home.

Does engineered hardwood increase home value?

YES! Engineered hardwood is the “real deal,” just like solid. There aren't many differences between the ROI of these two products. This product increases a home's value in a few ways: You'll recoup 70% to 80% of your investment as seen in your property values.

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