Preferred Properties of Texas

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6 Home Improvements That Do NOT Add Resale Value

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Just because you’ve added tons of fancy upgrades to your home, does not mean you’ll get any more money for your house when it comes time to sell. In fact, you’ll probably end up sinking lots of money into these projects and seeing little to no return on investment. If you’re wondering how you can improve your home’s value, these are six projects that you can skip altogether.

Pools

The resale value on your pool may differ depending on where you live. For instance, if you live in a state like Florida or Texas, many times, buying a house with a pool is a no-brainer. That’s because the climate is so hot in these areas that pools are almost a necessity. However, for safety reasons families with young children may not like the idea of having a pool. Also, if you live on the East Coast, buying a house with a pool is oftentimes considered a hassle. Pools on the East Coast don’t get used nearly as much as those in the south. 

Also, installing a pool will cost you more than just the installation process. There are reoccurring fees for cleaning and maintenance. Overall, it is rare that you will recuperate the installation and maintenance costs when it comes time to sell your home. 

Landscaping that goes beyond curb appeal

Over-the-top landscaping, elaborate gardens, ponds and more will not make your home more valuable. These additions are too personal to get your home a more expensive price tag. Although your beautifully manicured hedges are aesthetically pleasing, they might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The only thing that really matters in terms of landscaping when it comes time to sell your home is that the grass is cut, and you have a few nice features, such as a gravel walkway and some potted plants to satisfy potential buyers. Keep in mind that anything more than that will be a labor of love and not to boost home value. 

Improving above and beyond what’s typical in your neighborhood

Be careful not to over-improve your home so that it sticks out in your neighborhood. Despite your best instincts, rushing to improve every little thing about your house to boost its value will do you a big disservice. Buyers looking in your neighborhood are seeking a house in a specific price range, but yours, if you over-improve it, will be out of their budget. And someone who can afford your house will probably be looking in neighborhoods already well-known for their affluence. 

Lots of little maintenance projects

Don’t get confused between home improvements and home maintenance. Things like upgrading the electric, replacing the roof, replacing the furnace or installing new gutters are all considered necessary updates that every home needs and won’t lead to added value. 

Home office addition or remodel

According to Forbes, home office remodels only lend a 46 percent cost recoup. That’s not very high. Not everyone needs a home office, so an addition of one will only appeal to certain buyers. If you have an extra room in your house, many people would rather see it turned into a guest room or nursery. 

Sunroom addition or remodel

The same goes for a sunroom addition or remodel – it’s not an essential home feature. Sure, some buyers might like the idea of a sunroom, but it’s not on many people’s must-have list, so it won’t add value. Forbes lists a sunroom addition as only lending a 49 percent cost recoup. 

For more information about what you can do to make your home more appealing to potential buyers, give us a call today.

Creating a Better Home While Increasing Its Value

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2020 continues to be a year where folks have spent time in the home lately memory. Turning the house to a livable space has to be the aim in this time period. The house should be regarded as a massive investment since it’s probably the majority of a individual’s net worth if they have the house outright or through home equity. Improving your house and its resale value concurrently should be the objective of every homeowner.

Flooring Change

Maintaining the carpet clean through the house can look to be a full-time task in itself. This job gets a lot more difficult with kids or even a pet operating around. Wood flooring may not be the most suitable choice for families with children or pets, because it could be scraped. Water left with no cleaned up can cause the floor buckling along with the floor with need to be replaced at any stage. A fantastic choice is really a faux wood tile that offers you a look of wood with no upkeep related. Tile can defy anything other than heavy items being lost but a cracked tile could be substituted at a sensible price. Make a list of pros and cons to determine which kind of flooring will really increase resale value when decreasing time spent keeping the flooring.

Garage Door Replacement

Garage door replacement may give a house that curb charm that things immensely when set a house. Painting a present garage door can aid with curb appeal however may not be needed. A home inspector will make notice of a garage door that may cost tens of thousands to replace. Look after this today by replacing your present garage door with a more modern choice.

Building a Deck

The deck may be a excellent spot to amuse if you’ve got a pool or not. The 1 aspect to remember is using the support of guaranteed contractors with past experience building decks. The last thing anybody needs is that a deck to fall when people are over contributing to numerous accidents. For all those who have pools, the pool can have an outside kitchen additional. Being in a position to amuse without worrying about spills at the house provides the greatest advantage for hosts.

Opening Up the Toilet and Including an Island

This is the point where a household congregates during foods and in which guests do the same. Having the ability to open the kitchen up may allow parents to observe their kids while they’re prepping meals. The kitchen island can help with prepping as additional counter area makes it quite simple to prep quite a few components. HGTV has popularized such islands and this station might have a bigger impact on a buyer’s checklist compared to their tastes. Movable islands would be the most versatile, since they may get in the way occasionally if not put in a handy place.

Finishing Your Basement

The reality is that the majority of the crap from the cellar could be thrown or sold out. Including a lot of square footage from livable space in the house by completing the cellar is sensible . The cellar is much too versatile of a room to be utilized for storage since it can readily be used for entertaining. A teen that yearning for solitude might observe the cellar as their flat. Placing a toilet in the basement may also enable for advantage if the cellar is become a coveted individual cave. A purchaser will see this distance for a bonus compared to other pristine rugs in houses they’ve been shown.

Taking the opportunity to make a list of developments which you wish to create within the upcoming few years is vital. The list may offer motivation to conserve cash for another job which will alter the power of a space or the whole house.

If your interested in selling or buying your home in Stephenville please give our office a call. We are here for all your Real Estate Needs!

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Ways Your Bathroom Can Affect The Value Of Your Home

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Most real estate professionals agree that a home’s kitchen and bathroom are a couple of the biggest selling points for homebuyers. But even if you’re not planning to sell your home in the not too distant future, you ought to want your bathroom to be as cozy and adapting as possible as most men and women spend substantial time in that room every day.

To add value to Your Home, here are several updates to consider:

Shower, Tub, Sink and Toilet. Have a professional check your bathroom plumbing to ensure it remains in good condition. Fix any leaks from the water lines and remove evidence of mold or mildew. Repair a leaking faucet and replace worn or rusty hardware on your shower, sink or tub. Furthermore, remove hard water stains from the toilet bowl or grunge round the base. You may choose to repair or replace fittings that seem dated or that show wear, such as a chipped bathtub finish or cracked countertops.

Lighting. Outdated lighting fixtures can make a room seem stylish and boring. If the electrical isn’t up to code, that issue should be managed immediately to guarantee safety when using bathroom appliances like a blow dryer or electric shaver. Install recessed lighting or wall sconces to coordinate with the remainder of your home decor.

Flooring. A bathroom floor that is cracked or showing signs of age can be replaced easily by using newer water-resistant flooring tile or linoleum. Choose a style that meshes with your toilet’s colour scheme and blends with the remainder of your home. New flooring can quickly brighten up a bathroom to make it feel much more welcoming and upgraded.

Decor. You may want to add or paint wallpaper to just one wall to deliver some character to your bathroom. Add a few plants that will flourish on the moisture and help reduce the danger of mold. A wall shelf for decorative vases, linens or blossoms adds storage to make the toilet more operational. Furthermore, hang framed wall art to decide on a themed shower curtain as focal points of interest.

It will not need much time or money to get your bathroom in prime condition. You can continue to enjoy it forever or be assured that if you choose to sell your home, the updated bathroom could just help close a sale.

Choosing the Best Sink Type for Your Kitchen

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1. Apron-Front or Farmhouse-Style

Apron-front sinks, also referred to as farmhouse sinks, possess a wide, exposed front border and are usually quite wide and heavy.
The dimensions and contour were released to accommodate larger items, and the sinks were quickly put to use to wash everything from household items to clothes and even kids. They have evolved throughout the years to become one of the most popular styles of kitchen sinks.

While these sinks were traditionally single-bowl, they now come in divided two-bowl configurations. They are also offered in a wide array of materials, such as fire clay, cast iron, stainless steel, natural stone, manufactured solid surfaces and copper.

These are absolutely appealing countertops, but there are a few issues to keep in mind if you are considering installing one in your kitchen. Apron-front sinks are generally wider, deeper and thicker than other sink kinds, so that they might need at least a 36-inch-wide sink cabinet. The sink cupboard also must have the ability to accommodate the apron front.

If you go for a stainless steel or aluminum version, be aware that the apron can get scratched from contact with belt buckles or metal buttons. And, unless you choose an undermount installation (using the counter extending across the sink edge), there will be a seam between the countertop and sink in which moisture and gunk could collect.

2. Undermount

Undermount sinks become connected to the bottom of the countertop to get a smooth appearance and an easy-to-clean layout. Undermount and apron-front sinks frequently need professional installation and may only be mounted into a hardy and nonporous counter material, which may add significant cost to the job. Installation is more costly than to get a drop-in sink, since the countertop opening needs to be trimmed precisely. Many laminate countertop makers also claim you could undermount a sink for their own material.

Depending upon your individual undermount sink, you might have some choices regarding the show — just how little or much of the high border of the sink is visible just beneath the inner edge of the countertop.

A favorable show leaves a little section of the sink border exposed. This is the simplest form of installation, since the cutout does not need to be as exact as it does to get a zero show. Additionally, it lets you keep your eye on the condition of the sealant between the sink and countertop and much more easily reapply it later on as needed. The drawback of a favorable reveal is the exposed edge tends to accumulate gunk and dirt.
Having a negative show, the countertop goes slightly past the edge of the sink, providing the cleanest look. But that overhanging countertop may capture things because you lift them from this sink, causing breakage or chips to both the counter and items.

A fantastic hybridvehicle, then, is your flush or zero show. This countertop is cut into the specific size of the sink, thus there’s absolutely no place for food and water to accumulate and no lip which can lead to damage or becoming ruined. This may be a more expensive setup, though, since the countertop opening needs to be trimmed precisely.

3. Drop-In

Drop-in sinks have been installed in addition to or above the countertop.

That is a favorite sink design for people on a strict budget, for individuals installing a sink inside a porous countertop material (for example, laminate or wood ) or for individuals seeking to repurpose a classic sink or receive a classic appearance.

As stated, drop-in sinks have been set up by”falling” the sink right into a cutout from the countertop material then sealing around the edges at which the sink meets the countertop. The obvious disadvantage to a drop-in sink is the lip makes it increasingly challenging to wash food particles directly into the sink, since possible with the undermount sink.

Whereas undermount sinks have a clean, minimalist texture, paned countertops — particularly classic or vintage-look countertops — may bring a magical appeal to your kitchen, making a wonderful focus.

4. Integral

These sinks have no nooks or crannies for food particles to collect in, making cleanup a breeze.
Integral sinks are generally the most expensive type due to the cost of the raw material and fabrication — these sinks are usually custom-designed and custom-manufactured — in addition to the cost of installation. But for those with the budget for it, it’s certainly an appealing option.

Fix Up Your House Before Listing Or Sell It As A Fixer Upper?

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If you are thinking of selling your home, this is probably a question you have been asking yourself and your realtor. There is not any hard and fast answer; the path you go will depend on numerous factors, the most important of which are: the condition of your house, the potency of the market in your area, and the possible gain to be made with and without upgrades. These tips can help you decide whether to sell now or later.

Consider your buyer
The words”fixer upper” might actually be a selling point for some buyers who perceive they are getting a deal, who are especially looking for something they can put their postage, or who simply can not afford to purchase something turnkey. The marketing your agent does is key here so you don’t end up with nothing but unacceptable offers.

“In almost any marketing communications enclosing a fixer-upper, it’s important to remain focused on value,” stated ExtraSpace. “Prospective homebuyers are aware that a fixer-upper will market at a lower price point than more contemporary houses on the market. But that does not mean that you have to accept a lowball offer. Rather, highlight the home’s investment possible by reminding buyers of the future sale opportunities after the house was remodeled.”

If your home requires A LOT of work and also you can’t, or don’t want to, put the time, money, and effort into getting it in prime condition, targeting investors could get it sold quickly. “A couple of decades past, a previous customer called to say her next-door neighbors necessary to immediately sell their property. “The home appeared inhabitable. It had holes in the walls all the way to the outside and urine-soaked wood flooring; many of the electric did not work and the bathroom tub had dropped through the joists. Each of the faucets leaked and, in one bedroom, I found a pile of dead rats swept into a pile in the center of the ground. This was not a home that could be readily fixed up. Not even a coat of paint would have helped sell this location. We priced it low enough that it attracted multiple offers and sold with zero days on market.

Since flipping is much more popular than ever, a house that needs work – especially certain kinds of work – may be attractive enough to investors which you don’t have to do any job in any way. “A fantastic rule of thumb: If your home needs toilet or bath remodels, a new roof, or base repairs, there’s an 80%-plus chance your purchaser will be an investor,” Bruce Ailion, a broker and REALTOR® in Atlanta, said on Realtor.com.

Obtain an honest assessment – and be able to hear it
If you’ve lived in your home for quite a while and/or have not kept up with upgrades and fixes, your real estate broker’s assessment of its condition and the recommendations he or she makes to get it market-ready might be eye-opening. They might also make you mad. Try to listen to and keep an open mind, even in the event that you are feeling offended. In the long run, you share the same goal, which is to get your home sold for the best possible price.

Be sensible on pricing
“Finding out your home’s value is not as straightforward as subtracting the cost of repairs from your home. In addition, you have to factor in’annoyance expenses,’ said Ailion. “Quite simply, turnkey homes often sell at a premium to traditional buyers because they do not have to do some work. If your home requires some sprucing up, you’re likely going to get to incentivize buyers to dig in and get their hands dirty.”

It can be that fixing your home up makes the most sense because of the financial upside. In presenting you with comparables, your real estate agent should be able to show you other properties in your area in varying conditions (depending on the amount of active listings or recently sold homes around you). This will help advise the pricing for your house and give you some idea of how much you’d have to put into it to get high dollar.

Choose your updates wisely
A 30,000 kitchen renovation may not be in the budget and may not give you the return on investment you’re looking for, but there are smaller updates you can do to your own kitchen to make it appear fresh (and, you can use the same principles in other important places, like bathrooms). Better Homes and Gardens includes a great collection of upgrades you can make for under $2,000, including hanging a ring which”illuminates the sink region” and swapping out a tired sink for a”farmhouse sink (this ) adds personality to the space.” Also think about painting cabinets and installing new hardware, also, if you’re up to the task, including an eye catching backsplash.

Make necessary repairs
Investors aren’t expecting perfection, and their supplies will be dependent upon the state of your house and the potential profit they can make after it’s fixed up. Non-investor types searching for a deal may not necessarily be scared off by some cosmetic problems, but significant repairs which are required are yet another story. If you’re looking for the smartest place to set your pre-sale renovation dollars, this may be it.

WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR HOME’S VALUE

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Looking for some ways to increase the value of your home? Whether you are thinking about listing your home for sale, or you’re interested in putting a fresh face on your home you proudly own, consider these ways to increase your home’s value:

1) Repaint your front door. A fresh coat of paint can add personality, hide scuffs and dirt, and give your home an entirely NEW curb appeal. This weekend project is inexpensive and a great way to increase your home’s value!

2) Spread some fresh mulch in your front yard. It’s an inexpensive and high-impact way to improve the look of your landscaping. Cover up the gray, weathered mulch covering your shrubs now – it will do wonders.

3) Paint your kitchen cabinets. Are your cabinets needing a fresh stain or paint? This can do wonders for the overall color of your home – painting old cabinets a light cream color can have a brightening affect on your whole house.

4) Update (or paint) your hardware in bathrooms, kitchens, on door handles, light fixtures… think dark on white, modern paired with rustic.

5) Add crown molding… this gives a home a warmth and some character. Consider crown molding in your living room – the difference it makes can be shocking.

6) Turn any room into a bedroom by adding a closet. If you have an opportunity to create a true “closet” in an office or spare room, DO IT because adding a closet to a room means adding a bedroom to the total bedroom count of a home. This expands your reach on search engines and can draw in an entirely new group of buyers.

7) Add visible storage. Floating shelves in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms can be a simple weekend project that turns out to be “so worth it” and not just for re-sale purposes. Chances are, you have something on the floor in your laundry room which could be hung up.

8) Swap out your outdated light fixtures with fresh new ones adding personality and color to any room!

9) Go for neutral paint colors if you are planning on re-painting -light, airy colors that go with anything. Avoid anything evoking one certain season (rich reds of winter, dark browns of autumn) and remember to paint your trim something complimentary.

10) Update window frames. Consider adding crown molding to the tops of your window frames; this has a HUGE visual impact and costs less than adding crown molding across your entire ceiling.

11) Add mirrors to your wall decorations, this makes the space feel bigger, plus mirrors are neutral and sure to please anyone’s tastes.

12) Rather than removing an older bath tub, consider painting the one you currently have. This less expensive alternative LOOKS like a new bathtub (especially if you update hardware).

 

Hopefully these ways to increase your home’s value proved helpful! Call our Real Estate Team, Preferred Properties of Texas, for more information about listing your home for sale. 254-965-7775

 

Preferred Properties of Texas

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