By Patti Stern, PJ & Co. Home Styling
Fifteen seconds. That’s how long a home for sale has to make a good first impression. And, that’s if you can get today’s sophisticated buyers off their mobile device and to the front door. More than 90 percent of home buyers search for a home online, making it more important than ever for a home’s listing photos alone to capture buyer interest.
Home owners who have finally made a decision to sell their home may not be thinking about updating and remodeling. But staging — coupled with remodeling — are important considerations in a home selling strategy and an investment in getting top dollar for a home.
Even modest updates preserve the equity a family has built in their home. Ultimately, the cost to update something in their home before it goes on the market will be less than the price reduction buyers will expect as compensation for out-of-date rooms.
Older homes, in particular, may require improvements in key rooms such as kitchens or baths to meet today’s buyer demand for a move-in ready home.
We transformed this bathroom … Continue reading »
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR(R) Magazine
Home owners are investing in their homes once again, according to recent industry surveys that point to a strong rebound taking hold in home remodeling. Home owners also may be seeing higher gains from some of these remodeling projects at resale, according to the most recent Cost vs. Value Report, which reviews the top remodeling projects that offer the highest returns at resale. The Cost vs. Value Report is conducted each year by Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR(R) Magazine.
So, which remodeling projects offer the potential for some of the biggest pay-backs at resale? The following mid-range remodeling jobs offer the highest returns, according to the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report.
By Stephen Jones, DIYTools.co.uk
People generally love a beautiful new kitchen. With state of the art appliances, they feel as though they are master chefs in the comfort of their own homes. However, many people also remodel their kitchens to improve the resale value of their homes. Perhaps they plan to sell in the near future, or they just want to be prepared for down the road. In any case, be sure to follow these do’s and don’ts of kitchen remodeling.
Don’t Go Crazy with the Refinance!
One idea home owners might have is to refinance their home with a cash-out option and then use that money to rebuild the kitchen. However, this might wind up just letting them break even. Continue reading »
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
When it comes to taking care of a home or remodeling, home owners can make some unwise decisions. ServiceMagic, a Web site that features a network of nationwide service professionals–including in home improvement–has an article “8 Things You Should Never Do to Your Home.” Here are a few common home owner mistakes that made its list:
1. Going overboard with remodeling. It’s easy to quickly let a budget go out the window when remodeling. For example, the ServiceMagic article calls “bump-outs” a waste of money; these are when you extend a wall by a few feet, such as to accommodate a bay window. However, the cost per square foot is so high that you might as well opt for a more sizable addition that can be done at a lower cost per square foot. Bottom-line: If you want to make a return on your investment, you want to keep your remodeling updates within the costs of your neighborhood and compared to similarly sized homes. (Also, see Cost vs. Value report to gauge average returns on investment on remodeling projects.)
2. Being in denial about your pet’s odor. Big or small, your pets smell and they probably shed too. Pets attach their smell to everything and guests who enter your home will immediately pick up on it. Experts recommend to have your carpets and furniture professionally cleaned every six months, and open the windows and vacuum frequently to help rid your home of any lingering pet odors.
Submitted by Case Design/Remodeling
Do-it-yourself projects are all the rage right now, between home owners looking to save money and eco-friendly trends in repurposing used household items and materials. But what are the top DIY projects that home owners are currently doing?
While Case Design/Remodeling’s blog typically focuses on larger remodeling topics like the pros and cons of open floor plans, they also offer creative home improvement ideas using repurposed materials and home updates to consider before you sell. Fred, a subsidiary of Case Design, focuses on home maintenance projects that home owners can undertake themselves or contract out through a handyman service.
Here are the top DIY and home improvement projects homeowners are doing right now, according to Joaquin Erazo, Jr. of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.
Case Remodeling recently featured several ideas at its blog on how to make those remodeling projects more budget friendly. Here are a few ways to trim remodeling costs:
1. Don’t change plumbing or electrical configurations. Keep your plumbing fixtures and electrical work where they’re at. Instead of moving the plumbing or electrical all over the room, Case recommends for remodelers to “think about supplementing and extending your existing wiring instead of ripping it out and starting over,” which can be much more costly.
2. Find savings in materials. “The cost of cabinets, counters, fixtures, paneling, etc. can constitute up to 70 percent of your remodeling budget,” Case Remodeling notes in its blog. “While labor costs may be hard to reduce, the choice of materials is within your control.” For example, solid surfaces can look similar to marble, and granite tiles may be an option over stone to curb costs.
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Kitchens and bathrooms remain the top jobs home owners are taking on in remodeling projects, according to a new survey by the National Association of Home Builders.
The top remodeling projects of home owners, according to the latest survey of remodelers, are: Continue reading »
By Erica Christoffer, multimedia Web producer, REALTOR® Magazine
How do designers and stagers stay on top of the latest trends and solutions for home interiors?
Check out Pinterest, a new social media site where members “pin” photos they like from around the Web to themed image boards on their personal page. Pins are shared with friends and other users, and Pinterest offers an integration option to share images to Facebook and Twitter. You must request an invitation to join, which takes less than one week to receive (my invite came after two days).
A laundry room inspirational image posted by a Pinterest user (original source: toriejayne.blogspot.com).
Many presenters at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando endorsed Pinterest last week. Jill Waage, executive editor of home design with Better Homes & Gardens, said the great thing about the site is the link back to the source page under each photo, which provides designers and home owners with exposure to products, businesses, and ideas they may have previously never discovered.
Marc Thee of Marc-Michaels Interior Design in Winter Park, Fla., said during his presentation at IBS that he is a big believer in Pinterest.
Thee pointed out an attitude shift in how home owners feel within their personal spaces, which can be reflected in many image boards and room designs users of Pinterest are creating. With the hustle and bustle of today’s lifestyle, it’s more important than ever that a home becomes a personal refuge. “We live in a crazy world,” Thee said. “Our home should give to us.”
Two home redos that will instantly attract buyers is the addition of a dedicated, well-organized laundry space, and smart storage/organization features. “It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” he said. Continue reading »
By Erica Christoffer, multimedia Web producer, REALTOR® Magazine
Looking for quick, easy ideas to bring a home to life, add value, or prep for sale without spending a lot? Learn from the pros! Designers who presented at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando last week had a plethora low-cost, chic ideas to make to most of an interior space.
1. Transform closets: Your clients might consider turning a smaller, awkward closet into a built-in with cabinetry and shelving, or if there’s enough space, even a desk nook. Add dramatic dimension with disc lighting on each shelf. Buyers are looking to maximize every inch of a home with workspaces and storage solutions they’ll actually use. (Jerry Collin, Kay Green Design) [Here are some great before and after closet transformations from Real Simple.]
2. Create a ‘Garage Mahal’: Make the garage an attractive space with a dedicated recycling area, wall mounted shop-vacuum, and maybe a mini (or big) refrigerator for adult beverages. When in doubt, hang it up – provide hanging areas for bikes, tools, equipment, etc. Consider installing a workbench and storage. (Jillian Prichard Cooke, DES-SYN)
Example of a grey color scheme in a great room.
3. Avoid seasonal colors: Greys and stone colors are the new neutrals. Accent them with bursts of bright blues, oranges or reds. (Marc Thee, Marc-Michaels Interior Design)
4. Provide simple luxury: A foldout cabana, two outdoor lounge chairs, and a small table is an inexpensive way to give a backyard living space a sense of luxury. Stage it with candles, flowers or cool drinks (iced tea, lemonade, water, etc.) that you can serve during an open house. (Jillian Prichard Cooke, DES-SYN) Continue reading »
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Spread the word this holiday season to your clients: They only have a few more days left in the month to take advantage of tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements–so ’tis the season to upgrade!
Tax credits up to $500 are available for home owner’s to claim until the end of the year, but they better hurry. Congress has yet to renew the tax credits for 2012.
“Making efficiency improvements this year will lower home energy bills and improve home comfort for years to come, while also reducing 2011 federal income tax bills,” Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, said in a statement.
The allowance for the tax credits that home owners may be eligible for include: Continue reading »
Recent Comments