Let's Talk Real Estate - James Sarles Raise Your Property Value
By James Sarles
Jul 29, 2009 - 11:10:36 AM
As we all know the world economy
has slowed down many aspects of our local economy and home sales is one of
those things that has really slowed down. There are some positive signs that
things will improve but it is still a matter of Consumer Confidence and this
will take a while to get back on track.
So like many people you might want to sell your homebut you want to sell for the right price and
the market is not exactly where you want it to be right now.If you want to sell there are a few buyers
out there who are looking to get great deals on property. If you want to invest
in yourself you should consider improving your own home and raise your property
value and wait for the market to improve.
While improving one’s lifestyle is a
fundamental reason for a home renovation, homeowners shouldbe aware that with proper research, planning
and thoughtfulness, home improvements can ultimately raise the value of a
property investment. So you can kill 2 birds with one stone. Improve Lifestyle
and Raise Property Value.
Here
are a few things homeowners should consider before renovations begin:.
Think
Long-Term:It is a fact that money spent to upgrade a kitchen
produces the highest return on investment.Renovating bathrooms and adding
additional rooms such as a spare bedroom or study also traditionally score
well.
Homeowners should consult with
a local real estate sales associate to determine if their plans will positively
influence the resale value.
A sales
associate may be able to offer suggestions on renovations that will provide a
significant return on investment. We have an interesting site on our
web site called
HomeTracker on www.coldwellbanker.com that you
should check out.
This feature allows
users to determine how home renovations will impact the value of the home.
Healthy
Balance:While homeowners should consider
a home’s future value when making renovations, changes that enhance their
lifestyle should also come into play.
More size, better layout and updated looks can help a family find more
pride in their home and increase the home’s overall value.
Life-altering milestones – like having
children, having extended family move in and work-at-home-jobs – provide good
cause to renovate.
Seek
Out Referrals:
Once
committed to the process, hiring the right home improvement contractor is
critical.A great way
to choose a contractor is to contact salespeople at stores where contractors
buy their supplies, such as lumberyards, window stores, cabinet shops and
hardware stores. It is also a good idea to speak with friends, family and neighbors
that have been through the process before, as well as check the Web sites of
local community associations.
Obtain
Multiple Bids: Always get at least three estimates on a project.
Contractors can bid on the same project using different prices and timeframes.
Check that all the bids are based on the same
scope and quality of work, which is the only way to do a fair and effective
comparison.
Interview
the Contractors:
It is
important for the homeowner to talk about a contractor’s style and process.
A strong rapport and close communication with
the contractor will increase the likelihood of the project going smoothly.
If, for example, the homeowner will want to
know every detail during the project, they probably will not be content with a
contractor that provides little information during the interview.
It is also important to verify that the
contractor has a license and insurance certificate.
Follow
up on References:
Be sure to
check the contractor’s credentials.
Ask
how many similar jobs the contractor has completed, how much experience they
have, whether they guarantee their work and who will be in charge of the
project.
Reputable contractors typically
supply names and phone numbers of recent references.
It is worth calling a minimum of three people
to verify the contractor’s credentials.
There are several good questions to ask:
Did the reference pay a fair price, was the work done properly and would
the reference hire the contractor again?
Did the contractor show up every day and finish the project when
expected?
Hope
you find
theses tips helpful.
We have a lot of skilled contractors that do
great work so if you want to improve your lifestyle and raise the value of your
home begin thinking about renovations today !