How to remodel your home to Increase Your Selling Price

How to remodel your home to Increase Your Selling Price

So you are ready to sell but you know that there are a few things in your property that require some updating in order to increase your selling price.  Your budget may be limited and you are wondering where and how to spend it.  The good news is that there are some solid answers.  It is generally accepted that there are certain things that can increase your selling price more than others.  Don’t go out spending money until you get advice from the experts on what return you may get from your investment. Whether you are getting ready to sell or simply want to remodel now for the best value when you do sell later these are some things that usually give you a better return on your investment.

The Kitchen

Remodelling the kitchen is one of the most important things you can do in your home especially if the kitchen is dated.  It is often one of the first rooms a potential buyer will see and it should make an impression.  The kitchen is often considered the soul of the home and most people spend a good deal of time there.  Upgrades to countertops, cabinets, and appliances are one of the wisest investments you can make in your home.

The Bathrooms 

Second only to the kitchen, the bathroom is the room in the house where dated fixtures or flooring can cost you a sale.  People want a bathroom that is clean, comfortable, and modern.  Neutral colours are best whether a paint finish or tiling as this is a place of privacy and peace so the less fuss the better.  Spending money on a bathroom remodel will almost always be the best way to spend your money and you will see it in your selling price.

The Front  

Getting people in to look at your house is the first step.  First impressions last so as potential purchasers approach your hall door ensure that that the entrance is appealing and welcoming.  Spending some of your money on the front exterior of the house and the landscaping can be advisable.  Improving the look of the house from the outside means you can bring more people in to look and to buy. 

The Back Garden

People love the idea of having some attractive outside space to entertain friends and family.  Also parents usually emphasise how important it is to have a garden for the little ones to play in.  Money can be well spent on a good tidy up and enhancement of any outside space regardless whether it is grass, decking or another finish.

Remodelling your property now for a better sale price later can be a smart move.  As the sooner you do it the more you will be able to enjoy it before it is time to sell and move on.  If well thought out and done correctly to a quality finish you can definitely make additional profit.

To learn more click here

Setting up a home office

When purchasing it is good idea to consider if this property will suit if you should decide to set up an office from home in the future.

More and more people are starting to work from home.  Not only the self-employed but also a lot of companies are now allowing their staff to operate from their home.  If you are looking for a property be sure to take this into account.   Should you start doing your job at home you will need to be able to set up the right space in your private dwelling.

Consider the location

Working from home can be difficult especially if other people are around during your working hours.  You will need to find a location with as few distractions as possible.  Equally that is why you need to visit the location where you are thinking of buying at different times of the day to establish if the area at certain times is overly busy and potentially noisy

Consider the current style of the property

Does the style of the property meet your demands as it currently is.  If so then this can save you a lot of time effort and money.  However it’s not always possible to achieve your dream and most people have to compromise a little when purchasing a property.  Check out properties which already have additional unused space e.g. outside shed, garage, large attic area with adequate headroom.  Many properties for sale have owners who are currently running their business from the dwelling a typical example of this are all the online companies that have been set up in recent times.  In some cases an outside  shed or garage may have already been converted with this use in mind.  Ideally if this has been done correctly then there will be adequate existing electrical power points and heating.     

Consider the potential

Equally think about the potential to extend or convert in the future to enable you to achieve the additional space that you will need should you choose to work from home.  Once again an outside shed may have offer huge possibilities.  Likewise people nowadays in general prefer to park their car in the driveway instead of going to the bother of using the garage.  There are a lot of garages that are currently only being used for storage.  Of course attics can offer the perfect solution to finding that extra space to work from.  An attic conversion can be done provided the design of the house allows for the head height necessary to make the conversion workable.

Consider how to make the best use of the available space

If you have a whole spare room to yourself and lots of space then you can purchase a full-sized desk in whatever style suits you.  However if space is restricted be sure to test out a desk to see how it fits for you before you commit to purchase.  Measure your room in advance and allocate how much can be put in the space you have.  No doubt you will need workspace for a computer, printer, telephone, filing facility ?  How many drawers do you need?  Even with a wireless internet connection in your home wires can get in the way.  Use zip ties to keep them clean and organized and label each with what it goes to so that if things ever get unplugged you can get it all hooked up again quickly. A small rolling cart is great for printers or accessories and can be rolled out of the way when not in use.

Your home office can be very comfortable and successful if you pay attention to the details.  Ideally keep the workspace away from things like the television or any place where kids might be playing, as these can obviously be a distraction when you're trying to work. Look for a place near a window for natural light and make sure you will be able to make the space comfortable for your use without a lot of expense.  The perfect work space can be created no matter how much room you have to work with. 

To learn more click here

Looking At A House Objectively: What Matters And What Should Not

Everyone heads out to look at potential homes with a list of the things they want in a house, and a list of the things they definitely do not want.  In addition to that wish list, there are also some other things you will notice about the homes you visit that may strike you as potential problems.

When looking at homes, it is important to know what things are deal breakers and what things are minor issues that you can deal with easily.  Turning down a dream home because of something that can be easily fixed seems like a silly thing to do, but it happens surprisingly often.

Cosmetic Issues

When you walk into a home which has outdated wallpaper or paint colours you wouldn't dream of using, it turns you off immediately.  While that first reaction is normal, it is important to take a moment, step back from that instinct and think about it objectively.  Painting is not that difficult or expensive, so try to imagine how the home would look with a different colour palette, one that is more your style. You might wish to redecorate to suit your taste anyway, so don’t let those details cloud your judgement.

Being able to recognise which issues are merely cosmetic and can be easily fixed is very important to finding a house you will love. Be prepared to visualise the home as you could make it perfect with a few cosmetic changes.  It will open you up to the different possibilities and might allow you to consider homes that aren't perfect the way they are now, but could be just right for you with a little elbow grease and a touch of paint.

Major Repairs

In some cases the major repairs that a house needs might be obvious.  Sometimes they might only be uncovered during a home inspection.  Either way, you will need to give consideration to whether or not you are willing to deal with the problem.

If the home needs expensive repairs, you can either try to get the vendor to do the repairs or accept that you will need to do them yourself.  In many cases, the vendor will not be willing to take on major repair work, but they may reduce the asking price accordingly.  Still, this might be a deal breaker if you are looking for a home in turnkey condition.

Knowing The Difference

A house inspection is the best way to uncover all of the issues, both minor and major, that a house might have.  When you review the inspection, look for things that can be dealt with easily as well as those that can't.  The amount of work you are willing to do will determine what problems you can personally live with.

Learn More

How To Present Your Property In The Best Light !

Whether it is a romantic dining room or a home office finding the right lighting for each space in your home is essential in making it functional and inviting.

So what should you consider when choosing lamps or lighting fixtures to ensure that they will provide the right kind of light while still fitting in with the décor of the room?

Function Before Fashion  

Naturally you want your lighting choices to match and complement the décor of your home. If they are not the right functional choice for the space your initial infatuation with them will likely fade.

For work spaces such as kitchens be sure your lighting will provide ample brightness while also being easy on the eyes.  For rooms such as the living room or dining room you'll want to consider lighting sources that are adjustable to allow for relaxation and a romantic atmosphere.  It is important to remember that these areas will also be used for work and play so they should also provide adequate light.  Be sure to consider the financial and environmental impact of the type of lighting you use. Using energy efficient bulbs and dimmers can reduce your carbon footprint and your electricity bill.

Size Matters!

If you have a small dining room then choosing that large ballroom sized chandelier you fell in love with may not be the best idea.  Recessed lighting for a large foyer while functional can make the space feel cold and uninspired.  Always make sure that the fixtures or lamps you choose are proportional to the space as this will make the room look well designed.

Using Light As Decoration

While choosing lighting requires balancing form and function lighting can also be a great way to highlight existing features in a room.  Whether it is a painting or mirror over the mantelpiece or a unique feature using lighting to highlight them can add a finished and dramatic look to any room.

Lighting can really make the difference and all the hard work you put into choosing it will compliment the other décor elements.  It will be well worth the time and effort to truly finish off your property and make it look spectacular!

Learn More

How To Make More Space !

If you live in a small home you may face some particular decorating challenges. Getting comfort and style while reducing clutter can be done with a few smart furniture choices and a good understanding of colours.

Keep It Light And Bright 

Dark colours always make a room look smaller so stick to lighter shades for small rooms.  If you absolutely love deep red or chocolate brown there is no reason why you cannot make it a part of your room.  However maybe use it on one wall rather than throughout so that is may be presented as a feature.  Try to choose lighter tones for the flooring and the largest pieces of furniture in the room.

Darker more vibrant colours are perfect for things such as cushions , vases and other decorative pieces.  They will bring those richer colours into the space without overwhelming it and making it feel dark and cramped.

Choose Furniture Carefully 

Save space by making your furniture multi task for you.  Look for coffee and end tables that include storage for books, remote controls, and magazines.  Choose furniture that provides hidden storage where you can stash extra blankets and other items.  If you occasionally need a larger dining room table, pick one with a butterfly leaf that can easily be tucked away when not in use.

Look for an all-in-one entertainment unit for your television and components that will allow you to tuck things away out of sight to prevent clutter.  A unit that includes storage for DVDs and CDs provides even more use but watch out that the piece is not so large as to dwarf the room.

Walls And Windows Are Important Too

Putting too much on the walls contributes to the feeling of clutter.  So it is best to keep it simple and only showcase a few favourite paintings.  It is recommended not to have to many family photos on view and don't hang too many photos in one place.

If possible choose sheer or semi-sheer window coverings in light colours to allow more light into the room.  Dark heavy curtains will contribute to the small and claustrophobic feeling small spaces can too easily have.

Small spaces can be just as elegant as large ones and feel a lot bigger than they are if you make smart decorating choices.  Make the best use of all your square footage and keep it light and airy for the best results.

Learn More