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If you’re looking to make some upgrades to your home this year, be sure to think about what makes sense for your lifestyle as well as what will offer the best return on investment. Start by checking out the results of Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value report.
If you have an attic, you could be using it for much more than just storing holiday decorations and boxes of mementos. According to the report, converting part of the attic into an extra bedroom — which, on average, costs just over $50,000 — can recoup 72 percent of the cost when the home is sold. On the other hand, the addition of a deluxe master suite (an average cost of $230,000) will only recoup just over half of the investment.
If you’ve been thinking about sprucing up your outdoor space, now might be the time to invest in a new backyard deck; at an average cost of just over $10,000, this investment will recoup nearly 70 percent, the report says. When considering deck materials, choose wood over composite — it will recoup nearly 10 percent more on your investment. Making over your garage can also be a good idea — replacing a garage door, which costs less than $2,000, recoups just over 70 percent of the total cost. But if your home is up for sale without a garage, it’s best to leave it alone. The addition of a garage costs about $58,000 and only recoups about 57 percent during resale.
Some other minor projects that might be worth the investment include replacing windows with insulated vinyl or wood models (the cost, between $7,600 and just over $8,000, is recouped by almost 70 percent), and remodeling the bathroom (cost is about $16,000 and the cost recouped is about 62 percent).
The bottom line? When making renovations, think small for an optimal return on investment.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Design Trends for 2012
If you're considering repainting your home in the New Year, look to the great outdoors for inspiration. The color experts at the Paint Quality Institute (PQI) say paint color trends for 2012 will draw upon the natural colors in the American landscape, such as native plants, flowers, rocks and minerals, and the ocean.
Blues will continue to be popular in 2012, says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at PQI. Whether choosing sparkling sea-glass blue or colonial blue-gray, blues are suitable for all living spaces because they are a soothing color that everyone seems to love.
Greens, from sage to forest green, allow homeowners to bring part of the outside world inside. Dining rooms and kitchens are natural spots for different shades of "in-vogue" green, but the color works well in family rooms and bedrooms too.
Violet, inspired by the majestic purple mountains in the West, brings a harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red to the home's interior. Violet can add punch to any room when used as an accent color or be the dominant color in a bedroom.
Also new for 2012 is patterned paint, which can be the focal point in a room, or provide a subtle, textural backdrop to fine furnishings and artwork. For a sleek, stylish look, try classic black and white, which is popular in kitchen designs. Home exteriors are also moving to a more monochromatic palette in 2012. For example, shutters will be painted a shade or two darker than the siding.
Despite the new colors and trends for 2012, Zimmer says one thing will remain the same. "Top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint will provide the best performance and the best value to budget-conscious homeowners," she says.
Blues will continue to be popular in 2012, says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at PQI. Whether choosing sparkling sea-glass blue or colonial blue-gray, blues are suitable for all living spaces because they are a soothing color that everyone seems to love.
Greens, from sage to forest green, allow homeowners to bring part of the outside world inside. Dining rooms and kitchens are natural spots for different shades of "in-vogue" green, but the color works well in family rooms and bedrooms too.
Violet, inspired by the majestic purple mountains in the West, brings a harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red to the home's interior. Violet can add punch to any room when used as an accent color or be the dominant color in a bedroom.
Also new for 2012 is patterned paint, which can be the focal point in a room, or provide a subtle, textural backdrop to fine furnishings and artwork. For a sleek, stylish look, try classic black and white, which is popular in kitchen designs. Home exteriors are also moving to a more monochromatic palette in 2012. For example, shutters will be painted a shade or two darker than the siding.
Despite the new colors and trends for 2012, Zimmer says one thing will remain the same. "Top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint will provide the best performance and the best value to budget-conscious homeowners," she says.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Neighborhood Quality Still #1 Factor
Most home buyers begin their search for a new home on the Internet and then contact a REALTOR® to assist them, according to the 2011 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Homebuyers use a wide variety of resources to search for a home: 88 percent use the Internet, 87 percent work with a real estate agent, 55 percent follow up on yard signs, 45 percent attend open houses and 30 percent browse newspaper ads.
Four out of 10 homebuyers say they first learned about the home they eventually bought from the Internet while 35 percent learned about it from a real estate agent, 11 percent from a yard sign or open house, and 6 percent from a friend or family member.
Neighborhood quality is the most important factor in choosing where to live, cited by 67 percent of buyers followed by the neighborhood’s proximity to jobs
(49 percent), overall affordability (45 percent), and convenience to family and friends (39 percent). Neighborhood design, convenience to shopping, schools, and area amenities and entertainment are also important, while commuting costs continue to factor into buyers’ choice of location, according to the survey.
Despite the difficulties in the housing market in recent years, most buyers still believe in the long-term value of homeownership. Nearly eight out of 10 homebuyers say their home is a good investment, and 45 percent believe it’s a better value than owning stocks.
Four out of 10 homebuyers say they first learned about the home they eventually bought from the Internet while 35 percent learned about it from a real estate agent, 11 percent from a yard sign or open house, and 6 percent from a friend or family member.
Neighborhood quality is the most important factor in choosing where to live, cited by 67 percent of buyers followed by the neighborhood’s proximity to jobs
(49 percent), overall affordability (45 percent), and convenience to family and friends (39 percent). Neighborhood design, convenience to shopping, schools, and area amenities and entertainment are also important, while commuting costs continue to factor into buyers’ choice of location, according to the survey.
Despite the difficulties in the housing market in recent years, most buyers still believe in the long-term value of homeownership. Nearly eight out of 10 homebuyers say their home is a good investment, and 45 percent believe it’s a better value than owning stocks.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Selling during the "holidays"?
Selling your home during the holidays is tricky for a host of reasons. It’s not a popular home-buying time; homeowners often host out-of-town guests, which makes it difficult to schedule showings; and agents and would-be buyers are busier than usual. But it is possible to make a sale during the yuletide months. Consider these tips from HGTV.
Keep decorations to a minimum. No matter your religious affiliation, it’s best not to show it off to potential buyers, who may not share the same views. If you have wrapped presents, consider putting them in a corner, away from view. If you must deck the halls, give in to your decorating urges with more neutral wintry pieces. Consider pinecones or snowflakes instead of garlands and colored lights.
Try not to plan open houses on or around Hanukah, Christmas or New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. When you do host an open house, make your home feel warm and inviting: Consider placing cookies and holiday-neutral drinks, such as hot chocolate or apple cider, out on a table for guests to take.
And finally, be sure your agent will be available during the holidays. Discuss up front whether he or she will be in town, on call or will have limited hours.
Keep decorations to a minimum. No matter your religious affiliation, it’s best not to show it off to potential buyers, who may not share the same views. If you have wrapped presents, consider putting them in a corner, away from view. If you must deck the halls, give in to your decorating urges with more neutral wintry pieces. Consider pinecones or snowflakes instead of garlands and colored lights.
Try not to plan open houses on or around Hanukah, Christmas or New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. When you do host an open house, make your home feel warm and inviting: Consider placing cookies and holiday-neutral drinks, such as hot chocolate or apple cider, out on a table for guests to take.
And finally, be sure your agent will be available during the holidays. Discuss up front whether he or she will be in town, on call or will have limited hours.
PRYING EYES
Open houses are a great way to show off a home, but they also can open you and your home to privacy concerns. Potential buyers will look through nearly every inch of your home, opening closets and storage areas, to get a sense of the space and where they might store their things. Consider ways to protect your belongings — and your confidential information — with these ideas from About.com.
Go through your drawers and cabinets before others do. Potential buyers have reason to open and pull on them to determine how stable fixtures are, and it’s easy to glimpse personal letters and bills tucked innocuously away in drawers. Remove prescription medication from bathroom cabinets, too.
Your home should read like a clean slate, one that anyone could live in, so be sure to remove diplomas, wedding photos and other personal items from walls and tables. This protects your identity by keeping your name, college or church affiliation undisclosed, and gives buyers a blank canvas.
Shut down your computer. Professional hackers can gain a massive amount of personal information in a short period of time if left alone with a computer, so be proactive. If you still have an answering machine, consider turning it off so that buyers don’t hear personal messages or companies calling the home.
The idea of having strangers in your home is unsettling, so be sure your REALTOR® is always present and alert during open houses. Also consider talking to your agent about the benefits and drawbacks of you being there during the open house.¬
Go through your drawers and cabinets before others do. Potential buyers have reason to open and pull on them to determine how stable fixtures are, and it’s easy to glimpse personal letters and bills tucked innocuously away in drawers. Remove prescription medication from bathroom cabinets, too.
Your home should read like a clean slate, one that anyone could live in, so be sure to remove diplomas, wedding photos and other personal items from walls and tables. This protects your identity by keeping your name, college or church affiliation undisclosed, and gives buyers a blank canvas.
Shut down your computer. Professional hackers can gain a massive amount of personal information in a short period of time if left alone with a computer, so be proactive. If you still have an answering machine, consider turning it off so that buyers don’t hear personal messages or companies calling the home.
The idea of having strangers in your home is unsettling, so be sure your REALTOR® is always present and alert during open houses. Also consider talking to your agent about the benefits and drawbacks of you being there during the open house.¬
Friday, December 9, 2011
Off the Market During the Holidays?
Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?
When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.
It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?
But wait! Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.
The holidays are a wonderful selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.
Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:
Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.
Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.
Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.
When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.
With many motivated buyers in the marketplace, you may find you have more showings than you would if you sold your home during a busier time of the year.
If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.
Written by Realty Times Staff
When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.
It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?
But wait! Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.
The holidays are a wonderful selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.
Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:
Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.
Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.
Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.
When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.
With many motivated buyers in the marketplace, you may find you have more showings than you would if you sold your home during a busier time of the year.
If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.
Written by Realty Times Staff
Thursday, December 8, 2011
"Deck Your Home with Lots of Safety"
"Deck Your Home with Lots of Safety"
The holiday season has arrived and it's a great time for sharing with family and friends. The holiday season also serves as a time filled with candles, lights, Christmas trees, and lots of cooking. AmeriSpec® consistently delivers professional home inspections, so it's only right that we would want to help protect your clients' homes during the busy holiday season.
By following a few tips and inspecting items around the home, you and your clients can help create a safe and fun atmosphere:
Inspect Your Candles
• Candles should be placed where they will not be blown over or easily knocked down.
• Try to use battery powered candles instead.
Inspect Your Lights
• When you exit the room or go to sleep, remember to turn off any and all lights.
• Evaluate your string of lights and if you notice any imperfections, refrain from using them.
Inspect Your Christmas Tree
• Tree should be placed at least 3 feet away from any heat source.
• Keep your tree hydrated because dry trees are more likely to catch on fire.
Inspect Your Cooking
• Make sure someone is present at all times while food is cooking.
• Keep items that burn easily away from the stove (paper, plastic, dishwasher towels and more).
Help your clients deck their home with lots of safety this holiday season. For more tips and information, contact AmeriSpec today!
"Deck the Halls Safely this Season." www.homesafetycouncil.org. Home Safety Council, n.d.. Web. 4 Nov. 2011
The holiday season has arrived and it's a great time for sharing with family and friends. The holiday season also serves as a time filled with candles, lights, Christmas trees, and lots of cooking. AmeriSpec® consistently delivers professional home inspections, so it's only right that we would want to help protect your clients' homes during the busy holiday season.
By following a few tips and inspecting items around the home, you and your clients can help create a safe and fun atmosphere:
Inspect Your Candles
• Candles should be placed where they will not be blown over or easily knocked down.
• Try to use battery powered candles instead.
Inspect Your Lights
• When you exit the room or go to sleep, remember to turn off any and all lights.
• Evaluate your string of lights and if you notice any imperfections, refrain from using them.
Inspect Your Christmas Tree
• Tree should be placed at least 3 feet away from any heat source.
• Keep your tree hydrated because dry trees are more likely to catch on fire.
Inspect Your Cooking
• Make sure someone is present at all times while food is cooking.
• Keep items that burn easily away from the stove (paper, plastic, dishwasher towels and more).
Help your clients deck their home with lots of safety this holiday season. For more tips and information, contact AmeriSpec today!
"Deck the Halls Safely this Season." www.homesafetycouncil.org. Home Safety Council, n.d.. Web. 4 Nov. 2011
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