Do Trim Improvements Affect Resale Value?

If you’re thinking about selling your property, it’s wise to consider small investments you can make today that will pay off in your final selling price. One of the most cost-effective ways to do this is with trim improvements. Upgrading a home’s trim is easy and affordable, yet buyers are willing to pay more if it’s already done for them. Why? Because trim makes a home feel like a high end package, and—being the emotional creatures we are—people are likely to spend more for a home that creates a ‘wow’ response by looking complete and well-designed when they walk through the front door. The alternative is to rely on prospective buyers to use their imagination and plan their own upgrades and investments, but you can’t always count on visionaries who are willing to undertake this subtle kind of project. The trick here is to go with universally pleasing trims, which also happen to be the most affordable designs. In most cases, you want to skip the intricate—and more expensive—patterns which may not appeal to a range of tastes. You also want the trim to fit the style of the home, be it craftsman, modern, Victorian, etc. Everything must work together cohesively. It can help to look at neighboring properties to get an idea of local trends and standards. You’ll also find trim improvements have an effect on how quickly the property sells. When a buyer looks at two homes that are near in price with one having standard trim and one having been upgraded, they’re more likely to choose the upgraded home. We know time is money, so it’s worth considering how long you can handle your property sitting on the market when a simple upgrade can help it sell faster. Now let’s look at which trim improvements are most likely to help your property’s resale value. 

Baseboard Trim

This is where it all starts. Most homes come with some sort of baseboard as they’re a functional trim that hides the seam between the floor and the wall. However, if you plan to do any other trims, you must address the baseboard first. It would not look right to have a stunning crown molding, for example, alongside a 1” builder-grade baseboard.  A 4” baseboard is a good size for most ceiling heights, and it’s a size that plays well with added crown molding.

Crown Molding

Once your baseboard is squared away, you can start looking at matching crown molding. Thanks to HGTV and its slew of property buying shows, most buyers are aware of the importance and prestige of well-chosen crown molding.

Door and Window Trim

While most homes can be reasonably upgraded with just the above two trims, window and door casings will take your interior design the extra mile. Casings are one of those design elements many buyers do not think to do themselves, but when they see it, they appreciate the grand statement. Be careful to not overspend on casings for resale value—they’re not as likely to be consciously noticed the way crown moldings and baseboards are.  Chair Rails, Wainscoting, Picture Frame Trims, etc. When you get to this category of trim improvements for resale value, the chance for making any profit is lower. Chair rails, wainscoting, picture frame, and other decorative trims can be more costly to purchase and install, and they really require a particular taste to be appreciated. They can also be hard to get right visually—chair rails can be too high or too low, picture frames too large or not large enough. Get it wrong by an inch, and the whole house feels askew. Remember: the key to upping your resale value is to not alienate potential buyers with avoidably niche design choices. Keep it simple, and you’ll stand a better chance to gain your investment back.