Showing posts with label Upgrading your Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Upgrading your Home. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Make Sure Your Home Stands Tall in a Competitive Market
Make Sure Your Home Stands Tall in a Competitive Market
Home sellers today must convince a new era of buyers returning to the market that their homes stand for value and quality.
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Here are several ways to make your property shine, inside and out.
Start with the outside. Do a visual check of the front of the house from across the street. Does your property have curb appeal? It should look inviting, with a trimmed lawn and flowerbed and a freshly painted front door. Polish door handles and knockers and replace worn items such as a rusty doorbell. Consider adding a new doormat and flowering plants at the entrance. Don’t forget to wash your windows and clean any oil or rust spots from the driveway.
Be sure to inspect the side and back yards. Add some flowering plants to the back as well. Clean and rearrange the outdoor furniture to look inviting. Put away gardening tools, and tidy around the grill area.
Now focus on the inside of the home where cleanliness, space, smell and lighting are vital. First get your house in tip-top condition by cleaning and clearing away clutter. Steam clean and vacuum the carpet. Make sure your floors are waxed and shiny. Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine.
Be conscious of any lingering odors such as smoke, pets or strong-smelling foods. You may need to air out your home prior to your open house event. Consider grinding fresh lemons in the garbage disposal. And don’t forget to empty all trash containers.
Look at your countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and the tops of your bureaus. Do they seem cluttered? Clear away and store as much as possible. You want your home to seem spacious.
Next, set the mood. Let your prospective buyers picture your home as their own. Rearrange the furniture so that rooms look more spacious, or consider removing furniture and accessories.
Lighting is also important to creating a desirable atmosphere. Bright lights provide a cheerful environment and make a small space appear larger. Pull back all the drapes and open the blinds. Turn on all the lights. Make sure all light sockets have fresh bulbs. Use softer lights for rooms in which you want a warm, cozy feeling.
Don’t forget little touches such as fresh flowers, lighted candles in the bathrooms, new logs in the fireplace, or a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter. You may even want to set your dining-room table with color-coordinated table settings.
Home buying is steeped in emotion. Sellers shouldn’t rely on buyers to use their imagination; they must capture buyers’ imagination. Remember that buyers may see seven or eight homes in a single day. The most memorable home will be the one that seemed the brightest, the most spacious and the most cheerful.
Home sellers today must convince a new era of buyers returning to the market that their homes stand for value and quality.
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Here are several ways to make your property shine, inside and out.
Start with the outside. Do a visual check of the front of the house from across the street. Does your property have curb appeal? It should look inviting, with a trimmed lawn and flowerbed and a freshly painted front door. Polish door handles and knockers and replace worn items such as a rusty doorbell. Consider adding a new doormat and flowering plants at the entrance. Don’t forget to wash your windows and clean any oil or rust spots from the driveway.
Be sure to inspect the side and back yards. Add some flowering plants to the back as well. Clean and rearrange the outdoor furniture to look inviting. Put away gardening tools, and tidy around the grill area.
Now focus on the inside of the home where cleanliness, space, smell and lighting are vital. First get your house in tip-top condition by cleaning and clearing away clutter. Steam clean and vacuum the carpet. Make sure your floors are waxed and shiny. Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine.
Be conscious of any lingering odors such as smoke, pets or strong-smelling foods. You may need to air out your home prior to your open house event. Consider grinding fresh lemons in the garbage disposal. And don’t forget to empty all trash containers.
Look at your countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and the tops of your bureaus. Do they seem cluttered? Clear away and store as much as possible. You want your home to seem spacious.
Next, set the mood. Let your prospective buyers picture your home as their own. Rearrange the furniture so that rooms look more spacious, or consider removing furniture and accessories.
Lighting is also important to creating a desirable atmosphere. Bright lights provide a cheerful environment and make a small space appear larger. Pull back all the drapes and open the blinds. Turn on all the lights. Make sure all light sockets have fresh bulbs. Use softer lights for rooms in which you want a warm, cozy feeling.
Don’t forget little touches such as fresh flowers, lighted candles in the bathrooms, new logs in the fireplace, or a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter. You may even want to set your dining-room table with color-coordinated table settings.
Home buying is steeped in emotion. Sellers shouldn’t rely on buyers to use their imagination; they must capture buyers’ imagination. Remember that buyers may see seven or eight homes in a single day. The most memorable home will be the one that seemed the brightest, the most spacious and the most cheerful.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Musts for a Bathroom Renovation to go Easily and Smoothly
A bathroom renovation is not really something to be undertaken lightly. You cannot simply decide one day to start tearing out the toilet, sink and bathtub and start knocking down the walls. A must for any bathroom renovation to go smoothly is to plan things out carefully. If you do, you are more likely to be successful in getting your bathroom to come out exactly the way you want it to, or perhaps even better than you expected.
Another must before any bathroom renovation is to decide how long you are planning to remain in the house. If you are planning to move out in the short term, you may not be in the home long enough to recover all of the money you will invest in the renovation. The less time you are planning to stay in the home, the less money that should go into your renovation.
You must make a list of all the things you will want in your renovated bathroom. Really think about how you want your bathroom to look and where you want things to go, and then you are going to have to decide whether your budget will allow for everything that is on your list. This means that it is a must to set a budget for your bathroom renovation, and it must be reasonable. If you build a palace fit for a king, you will never recover your investment, and you may end up having to ask too much for your home.
If it is going to be a space that will be used by the whole family, then you are going to have to take their thoughts and ideas into consideration. You cannot renovate a room according to your likes and tastes without taking everyone else in the family into account. You might have very particular tastes and ideas which will not please the rest of the family. It is a must for you to sit down with your whole family and discuss the idea of renovating the bathroom.
It would be a good idea for you and your family to visit places where there are bathroom displays to see if there is something that the whole family can agree upon. You will not all agree on the same things, but there can be a general agreement, which is how family decisions should be made anyway. If there is general agreement, then everyone will be able to enjoy the renovated bathroom instead of trying to avoid it at all costs.
You have to stay focused and always keep in mind what you can actually afford, which will not include everything you want. There are so many things that you can put into a bathroom that it can really drive up the cost and your budget if you are not careful. In addition, if you hire someone to do the work, delays will definitely put your over budget because it will take longer to do the renovation. This is why it is a must to have a clear idea of what the renovation objective is and how to go about it. You will end up with a renovated bathroom that you can are really going to take care of and enjoy.
article alley
Another must before any bathroom renovation is to decide how long you are planning to remain in the house. If you are planning to move out in the short term, you may not be in the home long enough to recover all of the money you will invest in the renovation. The less time you are planning to stay in the home, the less money that should go into your renovation.
You must make a list of all the things you will want in your renovated bathroom. Really think about how you want your bathroom to look and where you want things to go, and then you are going to have to decide whether your budget will allow for everything that is on your list. This means that it is a must to set a budget for your bathroom renovation, and it must be reasonable. If you build a palace fit for a king, you will never recover your investment, and you may end up having to ask too much for your home.
If it is going to be a space that will be used by the whole family, then you are going to have to take their thoughts and ideas into consideration. You cannot renovate a room according to your likes and tastes without taking everyone else in the family into account. You might have very particular tastes and ideas which will not please the rest of the family. It is a must for you to sit down with your whole family and discuss the idea of renovating the bathroom.
It would be a good idea for you and your family to visit places where there are bathroom displays to see if there is something that the whole family can agree upon. You will not all agree on the same things, but there can be a general agreement, which is how family decisions should be made anyway. If there is general agreement, then everyone will be able to enjoy the renovated bathroom instead of trying to avoid it at all costs.
You have to stay focused and always keep in mind what you can actually afford, which will not include everything you want. There are so many things that you can put into a bathroom that it can really drive up the cost and your budget if you are not careful. In addition, if you hire someone to do the work, delays will definitely put your over budget because it will take longer to do the renovation. This is why it is a must to have a clear idea of what the renovation objective is and how to go about it. You will end up with a renovated bathroom that you can are really going to take care of and enjoy.
article alley
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Remodel Your Kitchen and Bath without Breaking the Bank
It’s not surprising that two of the most popular rooms for home makeovers are the kitchen and bathroom. When potential homebuyers are searching for homes, they generally are more attracted to homes with updated kitchens and baths. These same rooms rank high in return on remodeling investment at resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost-vs-Value 2008-09 Study.
However, both can be pricey ventures. According to the same study, the national average for minor kitchen remodel was $21,246. A sample remodel at this cost includes replacing cabinet fronts, flooring, laminate countertops and oven and cooktop; installing mid-priced sink and faucet, adding wall cover and repainting trim.
The national average for a mid-range bathroom remodel was $15,899, which included replacing fixtures, installing a porcelain-on-steel tub, new shower and ceramic tile flooring.
If you’re like many consumers today, you are more budget conscious and may not be able to afford thousands of dollars on a remodeling project. Here are some alternatives that will give your kitchen and bathroom a fresh, modern look without breaking your piggy bank.
Kitchen Cabinets—Give your cabinets a fresh look by either refinishing or refacing the fronts at a more economical cost than buying new ones. You can even take the center face out and install a glass front.
Hardware—Replacing your cabinet knobs and drawer pulls, can give your kitchen an entirely new look.
Paint—A fresh coat of paint is always a sure bet. And it is one of the least expensive ways to give a room a makeover. To further transform the room, choose more modern hues, such as a warm yellow or deep red.
Countertops—The price of natural quartz or stone countertops can quickly eat away your kitchen remodeling budget. Less expensive, yet still attractive alternatives are solid surface materials such as Silestone® or granite and ceramic tiles. An even more affordable choice is laminate, which is easy to install yourself and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
Faucets and Sinks—Add a fresh new look by replacing your sink and faucet with a high-arched spout in an updated finish, such as brushed nickel, brushed chrome or stainless steel.
Backsplash—Another option to modernize your kitchen’s look is adding a backsplash. But rather than having ceramic tiles, consider creating a mosaic with ceramic or glass or install a faux backsplash panel.
Window treatments—Switch out older valances with options that let the natural light in.
Lighting—By adding under cabinet lights or even track lighting, you can create a dramatic look to your kitchen.
Bathroom Paint—As with the kitchen, a new coat of paint is a low-cost way to renew a room’s look. Choose a warm color to give the room an intimate feel.
Showerheads—Change out old showerheads with a new rain showerhead.
Shower Doors – If you still use shower curtains for your bathtub, you can update the look by installing glass doors. Frameless doors are preferable. However, if the walls aren’t flush to the tub area, framed doors will still give you the modernized look you’re seeking.
Hardware—Just as with the kitchen, replacing the knobs and handles can give your vanity a fresh new appearance.
Lighting and Mirrors—In addition to the vanity, the lighting and mirrors above that area can combine to make the perfect focal piece for your bathroom. If changing the vanity is not in your budget, consider swapping out your unframed glass for a more decorative mirror and add a new lighting fixture.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to add pizzazz to your kitchen or bath. Just changing one or two elements can make a huge difference in its appeal to you and a potential buyer down the road.
However, both can be pricey ventures. According to the same study, the national average for minor kitchen remodel was $21,246. A sample remodel at this cost includes replacing cabinet fronts, flooring, laminate countertops and oven and cooktop; installing mid-priced sink and faucet, adding wall cover and repainting trim.
The national average for a mid-range bathroom remodel was $15,899, which included replacing fixtures, installing a porcelain-on-steel tub, new shower and ceramic tile flooring.
If you’re like many consumers today, you are more budget conscious and may not be able to afford thousands of dollars on a remodeling project. Here are some alternatives that will give your kitchen and bathroom a fresh, modern look without breaking your piggy bank.
Kitchen Cabinets—Give your cabinets a fresh look by either refinishing or refacing the fronts at a more economical cost than buying new ones. You can even take the center face out and install a glass front.
Hardware—Replacing your cabinet knobs and drawer pulls, can give your kitchen an entirely new look.
Paint—A fresh coat of paint is always a sure bet. And it is one of the least expensive ways to give a room a makeover. To further transform the room, choose more modern hues, such as a warm yellow or deep red.
Countertops—The price of natural quartz or stone countertops can quickly eat away your kitchen remodeling budget. Less expensive, yet still attractive alternatives are solid surface materials such as Silestone® or granite and ceramic tiles. An even more affordable choice is laminate, which is easy to install yourself and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
Faucets and Sinks—Add a fresh new look by replacing your sink and faucet with a high-arched spout in an updated finish, such as brushed nickel, brushed chrome or stainless steel.
Backsplash—Another option to modernize your kitchen’s look is adding a backsplash. But rather than having ceramic tiles, consider creating a mosaic with ceramic or glass or install a faux backsplash panel.
Window treatments—Switch out older valances with options that let the natural light in.
Lighting—By adding under cabinet lights or even track lighting, you can create a dramatic look to your kitchen.
Bathroom Paint—As with the kitchen, a new coat of paint is a low-cost way to renew a room’s look. Choose a warm color to give the room an intimate feel.
Showerheads—Change out old showerheads with a new rain showerhead.
Shower Doors – If you still use shower curtains for your bathtub, you can update the look by installing glass doors. Frameless doors are preferable. However, if the walls aren’t flush to the tub area, framed doors will still give you the modernized look you’re seeking.
Hardware—Just as with the kitchen, replacing the knobs and handles can give your vanity a fresh new appearance.
Lighting and Mirrors—In addition to the vanity, the lighting and mirrors above that area can combine to make the perfect focal piece for your bathroom. If changing the vanity is not in your budget, consider swapping out your unframed glass for a more decorative mirror and add a new lighting fixture.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to add pizzazz to your kitchen or bath. Just changing one or two elements can make a huge difference in its appeal to you and a potential buyer down the road.
Joanne Genesio can be reached at (215) 260-6011.
Prudential is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Selling, Marketing & Upgrading Your Home
Selling Your Home
Some People prefer to sell their home by themselves, but what are the risks of doing so?? Real Estate Firms offer great services, when it comes to marketing your home, attracting potential homeowners of purchasing your property and determining the going price of your home. If you do attempt to sell your home yourselve, these are a few thoughts to consider...
Marketing your home:
When it comes to marketing or advertising your home, your advertisement in which you advertise your home's content is vital. Every description of the property, should be displayed properly, including pictures. Location can be a big factor when considering selling your home. If a home is near busy roads or highways, at times this can be a downfall. To lessen the blow, investing in fencing can really benefit this situation as well as pricing it properly.
Upgrading your Home:
It would be a great idea to add upgraded appliances to modernize it. The real estate market is pretty fierce, so researching about the latest appliances, upgrades, or additions, can make or break a potential buyer's decision on purchasing your property or your neighbor down the street.
Another great tip is to always place oneself in your potential buyer's shoes. What would you change about your house, what changes would benefit your home to attract buyers.
~Joanne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
