Real Estate Talk

If you've been thinking about increasing your home's value or just making your living space more comfortable, these

ideas can help you start off simply. Before you start knocking out walls and renovating your roofline, consider these

ways to make a big difference...cost-effectively!

Buyers often decide whether to look at your house before they even get out of the car. So, before you spend a lot of

time and money remodeling the inside, take a good look at the outside. Washing windows, repainting trim, planting

flowers and small shrubs, trimming tree branches and overgrown bushes, fixing screens, resealing your driveway,

and mowing the lawn can make a big difference. Start out by making a list of 4 to 7 simple projects and then set

aside an hour or two each day. In just one week, you - and potential buyers - will be surprised how appealing and

welcoming your house looks when driving up.

A cozy first impression is crucial. Now that you've boosted your curb appeal, it's time to turn your attention inside -

starting just inside the front door. To make sure your entryway invites people to come in - rather than turnaround and

run - try adding a wicker chair and table outside the door along with a fresh coat of paint to your foyer.

For even more impact, replace old light fixtures and update the floor in your entryway with a throw rug or easy-toapply

self-adhesive linoleum squares. These projects are inexpensive and easy enough to do yourself in just a few

hours.

Remodeling an old bathroom can make a big impact. You should start by simply de-cluttering the countertop. It's

amazing how spacious even a small bathroom appears after the styling products, pictures and miscellaneous

bathroom decorations are removed.

From there, you can freshen up the paint, replace that old shower curtain, add a new medicine cabinet on the wall,

and even upgrade your faucet and shower head for very little money. With a little more money, you can also install a

double sink or re-tile the floor.

Renovating an outdated kitchen is practically a sure thing - as long as you don't splurge on extravagant items like

hand-painted Italian tile or built-in espresso machines. Instead, focus on the basics: replacing the handles on your

cabinets and drawers, freshening up the paint, installing new flooring, adding a backsplash, and painting or re-facing

your existing cabinets. You can also make a dramatic impact by installing new countertops and even replacing your

appliances. All of these projects will go a long way to making a new buyer feel at home.

Perhaps no improvement makes a bigger impact on your family's comfort and your house's appeal than adding a

second bathroom. The number of bathrooms is always a big sticking point for potential buyers, especially families

with two or three children.

Although adding a bathroom costs more than simply fixing up your old one, it also increases the value of your house

more. Plus, having that second bathroom may help you sell your house faster than if it only has one, which is an

important point to consider in today's market. So, if you have a house with roughed-in plumbing just waiting for you

to take the initiative, you may want to consider adding that second bathroom you've always wanted.

However, if your house doesn't have roughed-in plumbing or floor plans that called for a future bathroom, you'll

definitely want to consult a Realtor to discuss how much a second bathroom will add to your home's value. After all,

if you have to start moving walls and re-plumbing your house just to add a bathroom, you may find that your time

and money are better spent on a handful of smaller projects that will ultimately add more impact.

Overall, the best advice about adding value to your home is to start small, work your way up, and always plan

ahead. You don't want to get halfway into a renovation only to find that you have to update your entire electrical

system or that your time and effort was wasted on a renovation that doesn't add as much value as you thought. With

a little planning and prioritizing, you can make your house more comfortable and valuable with very little time and money!