Remodeling Projects that Sell: Beautiful Built-ins
Photo: © Irina88w - Dreamstime
If you're having trouble selling your cookie-cutter house, then it may be time to up the ante by creating a unique selling point that will have buyers lining up at your door. Since house hunters often talk about their need for storage space, why not give them something that covers that base but also adds a touch of class? In other words, why not give them built-ins?
The benefits of built-ins.
Because they don't take up floor space, built-ins are ideal for storing or displaying a variety of items that you want to either show off or keep from view. Buyers covet built-ins not only for the extra storage that they provide but also for their sumptuous looks. Along with traditional features such as crown molding, built-ins can give a house a stately appearance that may set it apart from other homes in the area. Since that's your goal, then it could pay to consider what built-ins have to offer.
Built-ins break out of the box.
Built-ins come in all shapes and sizes, but the two most popular varieties are desks and bookcases. Built-in bookcases and desks can be placed in nooks and alcoves or under stairs to create usable space that would otherwise be wasted. If you don't have a study area or a spare room for a home office, then built-ins can provide an excellent alternative.
Budgeting for built-ins.
Depending on the dimensions and the materials you choose, built-ins can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. If your budget is limited, then there are many inexpensive options that look just as good as the pricier ones. You don't even have to go to a custom cabinet shop. A trip to the local home improvement store is usually enough to find something suitable, and you won't have to spend a dime on labor.
To make your house stand out from the competition, you need a selling point. Built-ins can be as effective as kitchens and bathrooms at converting house hunters into house buyers.
