Flooring before you sell or rent

Flooring is the first surface a buyer or tenant sees in a listing photo and the first they feel at a viewing. Worn or mismatched floors raise questions about the rest of the property; continuous, well-installed floors answer them before they are asked.

What the research has said

The National Association of REALTORS® 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, a national survey-based study, estimated that new wood flooring recovered about 118% of its cost at resale and hardwood refinishing about 147%. Those figures are historical, national, based on survey responses, and apply to specific project types.

Why we do not turn that into a promise

Your outcome depends on the property, the local market at the time you sell or rent, the material you choose, the quality of the installation and what the alternative was. A Brooklyn rental unit fitted with luxury vinyl and a brownstone parlour floor in refinished oak are different projects with different economics.

Practical guidance

Choose neutral, mid-to-light tones that photograph well; keep one floor running through main spaces; pick durable products for rentals; and have installation done properly. Then let the room make the argument.