Pre-Sale Renovations That Deliver Real Returns: Starting With the Floor

Sellers stress about pre-sale renovations way too much. They spend big bucks on kitchens and bathrooms and curb appeal — yet they often forget the one thing buyers notice second they walk in the front door. The floor.

You can instantly make or break a buyer’s first impression with your floors. It’ll impact how they view the home’s value and plays a huge role in the eventual selling price. Time to learn where to start.

Table of Contents

1. Why Flooring Is THE Best Pre-Sale Investment
2. Heavy Duty Hardwood Floors Outshine EVERYTHING Else
3. Breakdown Of The ROI (What The Stats Say)
4. Choosing The Right Wood For Any Home
5. 3 Biggest Mistakes Made By Sellers

Why Flooring Is THE Best Pre-Sale Investment

Imagine you’re the buyer. You stroll through the front door and the floors are scratched up, faded and dull. Or even worse…covered in carpet. What goes through your mind?

“How much is this entire place going to cost to fix up?”

Buyers don’t say this out loud. But that thought instantly kills any offer they were prepared to make. Lowballs the bid. Stops them from making an offer altogether.

The flooring is the foundation for your entire home. Literally and figuratively. It sets the tone before buyers even get to see your kitchen or master bedroom. Pick the right floor and your home will shine because everything else matches. Choose poorly and not even fresh coats of paint or staging will trick buyers into loving your home. The great thing is…you don’t need to break the bank to get it right.

Heavy Duty Hardwood Floors Outshine EVERYTHING Else

There are heaps of flooring options to choose from. Luxury vinyl. Laminate. Tile. Even carpet these days! But when it comes to prepping your home for sale and recouping your costs…the heavy duty hardwood floor really stands alone.

Heavy duty hardwood lasts longer, holds up under heavy traffic and stands up to daily wear better. Most importantly…it photos exceptionally well. Listen up if you’re listing your home in 2023. Buyers are scrolling listings on their phones way before they see any home in-person. Make a great first impression in that listing photo and you’ll have far more interested buyers swinging through your door.

Civil Hardwoods has you covered with their range of heavy duty hardwood floors built SPECIFICALLY for real estate investors like yourself. High-quality materials. Durable and attractive species. Clean finishes that photograph beautifully.

Here are some key factors when choosing your wood.

Breakdown Of The ROI (What The Stats Say)

Let’s dive into the numbers on why hardwood floors crush every other kind of flooring when it comes to resale value. Installing new hardwood floors provides 118% cost recovery on the investment. Refinishing an already-existing hardwood floor yields even higher returns at 147% cost recovery. Okay, those aren’t small numbers. If $5,000 goes into installing new hardwood floors, sellers get $5,870 back when it sells.

Another ROI Win

• 54% of home buyers say they’re willing to pay MORE for a home with hardwood floors
• Over 80% of real estate agents say homes with hardwood floors SELL FASTER and for HIGHER PRICES
• Hardwood floors can increase your TOTAL home value by 3–5%

Hardwood floors are a win on every front. Literally increases your sale price. Gets you more buyers. And helps your home sell faster. Laminate or carpet just can’t compete. Sure they may be cheaper upfront. But they come nowhere close to providing the same return when you go to close.

Choosing The Right Wood For Any Home

Not all hardwood floors are created equal. Your floors can make or break your investment if you don’t pick the right species and finish. When you’re buying hardwood flooring keep these factors in mind…

Oak is #1 for a reason. It’s tough, beautiful, and loved by the majority of buyers. For your alternative species, go with maple for a more modern toned wood. Walnut brings some serious class but can be hit-or-miss with certain buyers.

The Finishes

Matte and satin are where it’s at these days. High-gloss is coming back down to Earth rather quick. Hardwood that shows every single scratch is the last thing needed when trying to sell.

Stick to wide planks (anything 5 inches or wider is considered wide). Lastly, make sure you’re matching your floor with your target market.

Is your property a rustic farmhouse? Or a modern downtown condo? They’re not selling to the same buyer, meaning you don’t want to use the same flooring.

3 Biggest Mistakes Made By Sellers

You know what’s worse than making these mistakes? Not knowing about them.

Mistake #1: Going cheap.

Inexpensive floors instantly scream cheap to buyers. A couple hundred bucks saved installing that laminate floor won’t come back when it’s time to sell. Spend a little extra on heavy duty hardwood and the investment will pay off.

Mistake #2: Only replacing floors in high traffic areas.

Don’t leave the hallway with old carpet while spending $3k on new hardwood floors for the living room. Buyers will notice how uneven everything looks and it sticks out immediately. Invest in heavy duty hardwood floors for all main living areas of the home.

Mistake #3: Don’t skip professional installation.

Buying high-quality hardwood floors to maximise an investment means nothing if the installation is done poorly. A bad installation job raises huge red flags for inspectors and buyers alike. Hire a pro to handle the install.

The Floor Swears

When it comes to renovating your place before selling there’s a lot to think about. Cost. Time. Hassle. But something as simple as your floors can make a dramatic impact on how buyers perceive your home AND how much your home eventually sells for. Remember these tips and starting at the floor becomes the obvious move.

• Make your floors shine! Literally. Give your buyer a reason to fall in love as soon as they walk in.
• Choose heavy duty hardwood floors for the best return on your investment
• Stick to species, finishes, and widths that suit your target market
• Replace flooring in all main living areas of the home — don’t go halfway
• Don’t install it yourself! Hire the pros and guarantee your floors will be done right

Conclusion

Let’s recap in case you need another reason to drop that flooring invoice into your expense stack. Replacing your home’s floors with high-quality hardwood is one of the best investments you can make before selling.

If you do it right, buyers will be wowed immediately, more buyers will come through your door, and you’ll walk away with one of the highest returns when it comes to resale value. Start at the floor.