Home Sellers: Five Tips to Make Your Bathroom Stand Out
Every homebuyer has a vision of their perfect house and the rooms that are most important to them. Because of their relatively small size in comparison to the rest of a home, bathrooms are often overlooked in the staging process, but for many, it could be the most important room in a buying decision.
A bathroom is more than just a place for grooming; it’s a sanctuary. It’s a place one can relax in a hot bath and escape the stresses of daily life for a few moments at a time.
Updating a tired-looking bathroom is one of the best things you can do to increase a home’s resale value and the fixes are not too costly or labor intensive.
Easy fixes include adding new, luxurious-looking towels, replacing the shower curtain and adding candles around a bathtub. However, with a little more money and effort, your bathroom can become a talking point of the house.
Here is a look at five great ways to upgrade a bathroom.
1. Beautify: By adding decorative glass, stone tile or accents to the bathroom, it will stand out among the other houses in the neighborhood that are for sale. Extra-wide wall tiles are popular these days and wood cabinets can be beautifully embellished with intricately carved wooden inlays.
2. Lighting: Add more lighting options around the room, especially around the vanity to reduce shadows and glaring. This is something that isn’t too expensive and can really highlight the positive features of a bathroom. Mood lighting around the tub area is also increasing in popularity.
3. Bath/Shower: It’s not too often you hear someone complaining about a bathtub being too large, and that’s because there’s nothing better than coming home from a hard day’s work and relaxing in a big soothing tub. By putting in a new tub and creating more of a spa-like atmosphere, you will have buyers imagining themselves washing their cares away. Adding a massage element to the showerhead or one that replicates rain showers is also something that will appeal to buyers.
4. Update Fixtures: Not as costly as some of the other tips, changing out the fixtures in a bathroom can add a great deal. From cabinet handles to faucets, the addition of brushed nickel or other metals that are polished and elegant are always a huge hit. And if space permits, add a second sink.
5. Think Green: The bathroom is a prime place to start putting those environmentally friendly devices to work. Installing fixtures that save water, such as a low-flow showerhead, a low-flow faucet aerator, and a dual-flush toilet, can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Adding energy-efficient windows is another easy option, since the size of bathroom windows are relatively small. Another fix that is both decorative and energy efficient is the addition of natural stone flooring, which helps the bathroom stay cool during the summer, and warmer during the winter.
When buyers walk into a renovated bathroom that exudes quality and offers an intimate, contemporary feel, it’s one of the top things that people will remember about a home.
Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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Monday, October 24, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Selling an Ugly Home
Selling an Ugly Home
Let’s say that you inherited an old house in a distant location and want to put it on the market. You may not have the time, resources or energy to make it perfect and just want a quick sale.
Or, maybe you had renters at your property who did substantial damage and you don’t have the money to make necessary renovations.
Fear not. Just because the house needs work doesn’t mean you can’t sell it. Many homebuyers today are shopping for deals and want to see the potential in your home. In that case, leave brochures for new cabinets in the kitchen, color palates around the bedrooms and even create computerized images of what updates could look like.
In addition, secure bids from licensed contractors on necessary fixes and provide them to your potential buyers. People may overestimate the cost of a new roof, shower stall or drywall repair and fresh paint. Estimates will bring the home into clearer perspective.
Work with your real estate agent to make the home as presentable as possible for the least amount of money. Make a room or two inviting so you have the photos that will attract buyers to what you can call “a fixer upper.”
Of course, nothing is going to attract people more than a low price. Obviously, you will need to discount the sales price to gain an advantage over comparables in better condition.
A down-and-out house doesn’t mean you’re stuck. With small repairs, research and practical pricing, you can turn that “Ugly Betty” into a sale.
Prudential
Let’s say that you inherited an old house in a distant location and want to put it on the market. You may not have the time, resources or energy to make it perfect and just want a quick sale.
Or, maybe you had renters at your property who did substantial damage and you don’t have the money to make necessary renovations.
Fear not. Just because the house needs work doesn’t mean you can’t sell it. Many homebuyers today are shopping for deals and want to see the potential in your home. In that case, leave brochures for new cabinets in the kitchen, color palates around the bedrooms and even create computerized images of what updates could look like.
In addition, secure bids from licensed contractors on necessary fixes and provide them to your potential buyers. People may overestimate the cost of a new roof, shower stall or drywall repair and fresh paint. Estimates will bring the home into clearer perspective.
Work with your real estate agent to make the home as presentable as possible for the least amount of money. Make a room or two inviting so you have the photos that will attract buyers to what you can call “a fixer upper.”
Of course, nothing is going to attract people more than a low price. Obviously, you will need to discount the sales price to gain an advantage over comparables in better condition.
A down-and-out house doesn’t mean you’re stuck. With small repairs, research and practical pricing, you can turn that “Ugly Betty” into a sale.
Prudential
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
TIPS FOR PURCHASING IN A 55 PLUS COMMUNITY
Buying in a 55+ community will be very similar to buying in any community but there are some differences to be aware of.
Assuming you already know the 55+ community you are interested in, just looking within the community itself, here are some questions to explore when buying a home:
1. Find out about the monthly homeowner's association fee; what does it cover, how much is it and when is it expected to go up. If the community is older, find out if any special assessments are coming up or expected.
2. Get a copy of the homeowner association documents. Before you buy, review the rules of the association. Find out the rule for any areas of special interest to you, like pets, additions like building a patio or fence, visitors, children, leasing your property, etc.
3. Find out about the amenities. Remember in this economy many clubhouses and other amenities that were planned will not get build for some time, if ever.
4. Find out about activities offered. How often, what types, any extra fees?
5. Look at resales, not just brand new properties. Maybe you can get a deal on a resale that has been upgraded substantially. Preview listings with a resale real estate agent and ask questions about the property and the community as well.
6. Talk with the current owners/residents to see how happy they are living in the community and how happy you will be living with them. Are they your age? People love to talk, so ask questions.
7. Find out about the cost of utilities and any related cost of ownership.
8. Find out the cost of any upgrades, which appliances, counter tops, floor coverings, etc come with the property.
9. For newer communities, how strong is the builder and/or developer of the community? Is the community just getting started and right after you buy if goes in to foreclosure, will the community be a ghost town? There is less risk in a community that is further along in its development.
10. Remember buyer's agents also handle 55+ homes.
I hope these questions will help in your search process.
Copyright 55communityguide.com
Assuming you already know the 55+ community you are interested in, just looking within the community itself, here are some questions to explore when buying a home:
1. Find out about the monthly homeowner's association fee; what does it cover, how much is it and when is it expected to go up. If the community is older, find out if any special assessments are coming up or expected.
2. Get a copy of the homeowner association documents. Before you buy, review the rules of the association. Find out the rule for any areas of special interest to you, like pets, additions like building a patio or fence, visitors, children, leasing your property, etc.
3. Find out about the amenities. Remember in this economy many clubhouses and other amenities that were planned will not get build for some time, if ever.
4. Find out about activities offered. How often, what types, any extra fees?
5. Look at resales, not just brand new properties. Maybe you can get a deal on a resale that has been upgraded substantially. Preview listings with a resale real estate agent and ask questions about the property and the community as well.
6. Talk with the current owners/residents to see how happy they are living in the community and how happy you will be living with them. Are they your age? People love to talk, so ask questions.
7. Find out about the cost of utilities and any related cost of ownership.
8. Find out the cost of any upgrades, which appliances, counter tops, floor coverings, etc come with the property.
9. For newer communities, how strong is the builder and/or developer of the community? Is the community just getting started and right after you buy if goes in to foreclosure, will the community be a ghost town? There is less risk in a community that is further along in its development.
10. Remember buyer's agents also handle 55+ homes.
I hope these questions will help in your search process.
Copyright 55communityguide.com
Sunday, October 2, 2011
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