As a homeowner, you have captured a piece of the American Dream, but dreams change and yours might need a facelift!  Perhaps you are updating because you want to sell in the near future – a few years or a few months – and know there are things that need to be done in order to attract persnickety buyers.  However, these renovations might be for you to enjoy, but either way, you want to think smart when spending the money.

The main rule of thumb is to remove personal tastes when deciding to do some serious cosmetic changes.  Remember that any remodel project will cost more than the amount your home’s value will increase, and some remodels will decrease the value of your home if poor decisions or quality of work is done.   Making too personal of a change, like putting in a built-in aquarium or a bold tile color in bathrooms will make a home harder to sell, so be smart! 

The most obvious and necessary improvements to make are the things that need to be fixed.  If something’s broken, no matter how small, that will be what stands out amid all the improvements you make.  Even if you’re not selling in the near future or at all, these minor problems can become costly, big problems very quickly!

Before your start ripping out cabinets and floors, do some research.  Watch home improvement shows, visit model homes or your neighbors’ homes to see what you like.  Then make a list of projects you would like to tackle in order of importance…your priorities might depend on your budget.  Here are a few tips or guidelines to follow for smart remodels.

For the Indoors

• The kitchen is considered the “heart of the home,” so an updated kitchen will be where the most return for your money will come.

• If you have older countertops, consider granite, marble DuPont Corian or Silestone.  These items are hot right now and are what buyers are looking for.

• If you have older cabinets, replace them with birch, maple or cherry or freshen them up with new paint and contemporary hardware.

• Appliances are have quite an impact on buyers, so consider upgrading your dated ones to stainless steel/professional quality and energy efficient appliances.

• Tired of your floors?  Try updating your laminate patterns with a contemporary laminate look or go for the real thing – stone tiles or hardwood.

• Bathrooms are considered the in-home retreat for many people and now the more spa-like the bathroom, the better!  Adding luxury baths to master bedrooms, perhaps a jetted garden tub or steam shower would be a consideration!

• Another rule for a bathroom – if it has carpet, change it!

• Updating the floors to a natural material (or synthetic that look natural) like stone tiles in the entry or hardwoods in the living/dining areas is a plus.

• A simple fix, fresh paint on the walls and trim can change your whole home!

For the Outdoors

• Well-planned landscaping, like mature trees and cleanly trimmed hedges and yards can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value, because they make your home look so much better.

• In Houston, especially in the loop, having a usable greenspace is a huge plus in the Houston, Texas real estate market!  If you have a porch, clean it up and add some seating.  Same with your patio, making it a great space for entertaining or relaxing by adding plants, furniture, lighting or a grill will improve your home’s selling capability!

• Take a look at your neighbors curb appeal.  If you like their yard, write down what you like about it and make it work for your own yard.

Ready to sell or need more advise on pricing, improvements you can make, or how to stage your home for showings?  Let Don Puryear, Inner Loop Specialist help you!  He and his team of top producing agents and support staff create a team that can get you where you need to be!  Contact us today, and we'll be happy to help!