by Jeff Pittman | Aug 10, 2015 | Sellers
Home additions are fun because they get you one step closer to the home of your dreams. However, it’s important to watch your step when adding onto your home because the money you put in won’t always add more value to your home. With any remodel or addition, a homeowner has to think 2 steps ahead i.e. your future sale. A home addition can be a wise choice whether you’re selling a home or looking to increase the usefulness of your property. If you’ve weighed the possibilities and decided on a remodel instead of a move, consider adding one of these additions to give you the space and amenities you’re craving. Below are 4 surefire additions to make you happy and add value to the property in the eyes of the next homeowner. BATHROOM SUITES Source: housely.com A bathroom can have the biggest impact on home value. Large bathroom suites and bathrooms connected in between a master bedroom can create an inviting retreat in the home. Modern bathroom suites usually include the option for both a shower and a soaking tub. Giving these two options can add even more value as it creates a larger space to relax. Adding new fixtures that take advantage of water efficiency can add value as well. For example, newer thermostatic valves in showers can keep the shower at precisely the same temperature every time you shower. This can save on water heater operation costs, particularly if you have an electric water heater. HOME POOLS AND SPAS Source: onekindesign.com There was a brief time when an in-ground or above-ground pool installation could actually detract...
by Jeff Pittman | Jul 27, 2015 | Sellers
Hottest Homebuyer Kitchen Trends The kitchen has become one of the most important rooms in the home when trying to sell a house. In fact, it made the list for one of the top 6 upgrades homebuyers are looking for in 2015. Homebuyers are expecting more today from a kitchen than at any point in the past. It is important to know what people want when upgrading a kitchen. Here’s a bit about the hottest kitchen trends homebuyers are looking for to help with your home remodel and sale. SPACIOUS COUNTERTOPS Source: bhg.com Buyers are looking for spacious countertops to make storing items, displaying decorations and cooking much easier. Granite countertops are currently the most popular. Resin countertops that look like granite are also in demand. Most buyers want a matching granite or tile backsplash as well. MODERN APPLIANCES Source: apartmenttherapy.com The majority of home buyers today are looking for modern and nice appliances. This means new appliances with modern features that are integrated smoothly into the kitchen. Stainless steel finishes on appliances are currently highly in demand. Appliances from AppliancesConnection.com that look great and function at a higher quality level as well are in high demand. AN ISLAND Source: taylorlombardo.com A large number of buyers want a freestanding island in the middle of the kitchen. The island provides extra counter space and a unique look. It also helps to divide the kitchen space. Something that will impress buyers is a kitchen island with a prep sink installed at one end. TECHNOLOGY Source: atgstores.com Home buyers today want a kitchen that is ready for technology. This means space for...
by Jeff Pittman | Jun 29, 2015 | Sellers
How Do You Pick The Best Offer In A Bidding War? Last month we talked about bidding wars and strategies for homebuyers on how to stand out in the crowd. With low inventory in SoCal, more and more home sales and attracting bidding wars. But what if you’re the one having to choose from all those competing offers – How do you make the decision? Most people think highest price, right? Well, not necessarily. There are several different factors to consider when trying to pick the best available offer. Don’t just an offer by the price on the cover, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. There is no magic formula but here are the most important points to look out for: CONTINGENCIES A good closing date, little to no contingencies and a mortgage approval are all contingencies that pan out in your favor. By waiving contingencies, buyers have less wiggle room and the deal is more likely to go off without a hitch. And if one or more of the bidders asks for a contingency to keep the deal on hold until his or her property sells, that’s an easy buyer to eliminate from consideration. You don’t want to be caught waiting for the domino to fall, because it might not. FINANCING Earnest money, cash and secure financing. Earnest money isn’t a down payment but it is a sign that your buyer is seriously committed. As for cash, it’s not always the best option but it’s definitely one of the easiest. If you choose a cash offer that means there’s no need to wait for a loan approval and...
by Jeff Pittman | Jun 3, 2015 | Sellers
5 Yard Hacks To Kick Up Your Home Appraisal According to home improvement guru Bob Villa, landscaping is a good investment that can add up to 20% of value to your home. Properly maintained landscaping is the key to achieving an excellent first impression. Plus, the size and appearance of your yard plays a role in the overall value of your home when you get it appraised and inspected by professionals during the real estate process. An appraiser will look for and consider landscaping, permanent fixtures like sprinklers and more. Here are five affordable landscaping tips to get your yard ready for an appraisal – and of course potential homebuyers! SIMPLE EDUCATION In order to properly increase your home appraisal, you must first understand what home inspectors look for and learn to think like a home inspector. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) offers over a hundred articles that explain the fundamentals of different home inspection topics. For example, tree roots normally can’t penetrate a foundation, but they can leech water from the soil, causing the structures to settle and sink. There are also many different structural defects in trees that create safety problems. Knowing how an inspector thinks will allow you to preemptively take care of problems before the home appraisal. COLOR AND CHARACTER There are basic DIY projects that homeowners can take on to quickly improve the yard’s visual appeal. For example, dig a flower bed and add colorful plants and flowers. Keep the plant colors in sync with the home’s architecture. Take a picture of your outside area and consult with a local nursery....
by Jeff Pittman | May 20, 2015 | Sellers
Room By Room DIY Home Staging Guide When you are selling your home it’s important to help buyers see it in its very best light. If you’re selling luxury real estate it might be a good idea to get some professional help and hire a home staging company, but there’s also plenty of touches you can add yourself to add appeal and perceived value to your home. We’ve rounded up a few simple DIY home staging projects that will help you stand out in the MLS listing. We’re going to take you room by room to show what makes your home stand out when you’re staging it yourself. EXTERIOR Buyers judge a book by its cover. In order to catch the eye of a potential buyer, your home must have ‘curb appeal’. A shabby exterior won’t do you any favors in staging your home, so make sure you take some simple steps to make the outside of your home as inviting as the inside. Clean up the lawn, driveway, and frontals. Make sure windows are clean and curtains are open and the house looks inviting. Use a window box if your house suits one to display some bright, colorful flowers that say, “Come in and see more”! If you have a porch, make sure it is just as inviting as your doorstep by offering comfortable seating and perhaps a floral accent on a side table. Make sure your front door is eye-catching. Err on the side of boldness and choose a color buyers are sure to remember and accessorize with a fun door knocker for extra wow factor. via...
by Jeff Pittman | Apr 28, 2015 | Sellers
Remodeling before a home sale can be lucrative – if you know what’s worth the resale money that is. Before you start a home project, take a look at your expected recouped costs from this quick and easy infograhic from the California Association of REALTORS®. These are top 10 home projects to recoup costs at resale. Via First Team Real Estate. Thank you for reading. I hope you found this information useful. Jeff Pittman, Realtor in Ladera Ranch – Orange County,...
