Top 5 Home Improvements That Boost Value

As tight inventory and higher interest rates impact affordability, many current homeowners are staying put in their homes. Instead of looking elsewhere to find their dream home, most homeowners (65% according to a recent Thumbtack survey) are opting to create it where they are. That means home renovations are top of mind. We’ve compiled a list of the Top 5 Home Improvements you can do to boost your home’s value. 1. Energy Upgrades Improving your home’s energy efficiency has multiple benefits, from utility cost savings to adopting a greener lifestyle. With high inflation and increasing concerns about climate change, homebuyers are considering energy efficiency as a benefit in their home purchase. Also, there are government subsidies and tax benefits that can take some of the cost burden off of homeowners. Some upgrades to consider include: Adding insulation to attic spaces Replacing old and/or drafty windows Switching to LED lightbulbs Installing low-flow toilets and shower heads Installing an electric charging outlet for electric vehicles Installing solar panels (check in with state guidelines for cost vs. benefit as each is different) Replacing old appliances with Energy Star certified appliances Redo landscaping with xeriscape or more drought resistant landscape that requires less maintenance and watering Photo by Unsplash 2. Enhancing Outdoor Spaces The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the way people utilized and enjoyed their homes. During lockdowns, some homeowners saw an opportunity to maximize their space, both indoors and outdoors. This led to a rise in patio/deck additions and landscape overhauls. Although lockdown restrictions are gone, the trend of enhancing outdoor spaces is not. Consider adding a pergola to a patio for a covered area to enjoy meals under. Wood decks on average have a 90.2% ROI, making them an excellent choice when looking to invest in your outdoor space. Need more budget-friendly ways to boost value without breaking the bank? Consider adding potted plants, cafe string lights, and nice patio furniture to create an inviting outside oasis. Credit: Ralph Ravi Kayden 3. Minor and Major Bathroom Remodels Bathrooms have long been a go-to when it comes to home improvements. These smaller spaces can be fairly inexpensive to upgrade while delivering a boost in your home’s value. Minor bathroom remodels on average have 102% ROI, meaning for every $100 you spend in upgrades, you’ll get $102 back. A simple fresh coat of paint and new light fixtures can transform your bathroom for a relatively inexpensive amount. These are also projects homeowners can do themselves, saving them more money and increasing their investment. Current trends stem from the pandemic, where homeowners were looking to add a bit of tranquility to their homes. Spa-like amenities, including relaxing soaking tubs, stone surfaces, and steam rooms have gained popularity over the past few years. Credit: Blu Fish Photography 4. Minor and Major Kitchen Remodels: Kitchens are the heart of a home. As trends change, they have become more than just a place to prepare meals. They are a place to gather, do homework, take Zoom calls, and entertain. This need for versatility is making homeowners look at the bigger picture to expand their kitchens into living spaces and add more seating options. These upgrades are some of the most costly in home renovations, as kitchens are regularly used and need more durability in finishes and design. Quality cabinetry with thoughtful storage solutions, smart appliances, and elegant surfaces are top choices when it comes to remodeling with your home’s value in mind. Kitchen renovations tend to have a 90-92% return on investment.   Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash 5. Boost in Curb Appeal One of the best ways to boost your home’s value is boosting its curb appeal. This long-standing strategy in real estate has helped many homeowners maximize their home’s presence on the market and ultimately their profit when selling. Your home’s curb appeal is its first impression, so take care to make it a good one! The extent of your exterior upgrades can range from simply adding potted plants or replacing exterior lighting to more significant structural changes/additions (like adding a front porch). Clean siding (whether power washed or freshly painted) instantly freshens up the exterior. Consider painting or replacing your entry door to modernize and liven your curb appeal. Neat landscaping and well-designed gardens also add value to your home. Consider consulting a landscape designer to complement your home with a beautiful yard! Credit:Blu Fish Photgoraphy        

View more

Spring Maintenance Checklist

  The sights and sounds of Spring have arrived! Winter can take a toll on your property, so it is recommended to conduct routine maintenance and inspections after to ensure any damaged items are quickly taken care of and your home is ready for warmer weather. Review our Spring Home Maintenance Checklist below or print a copy here.    #1: Test Outdoor Spigots and Sprinklers After the final frost of the season, turn on your irrigation and run the spigots and sprinklers. Take note of any leaking areas, or sprinkler heads that aren't working properly, and address them before running your sprinklers full time. Verify your watering schedule on your sprinkler timer panel.   #2: Inspect the Roof, Gutters and Downspouts Once winter storms have passed, look over your roof for any damage, like lifting or missing shingles. Clean out the gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage from heavy spring rain or small critters. Working gutters and downspouts ensure water is diverted from your home's foundation, preventing moisture issues.   #3: Clean Debris from Vents & Window Wells Remove debris from the vents along your home's foundation and in window wells (if you have a basement) to remove the risk of critters making a home there and damage to the concrete foundation.   #4: Trim Trees and Shrubs Near the Home Early spring is an excellent time to trim back trees and shrubs that are touching or near the home. Landscapers and arborists may offer discounted rates early in the season before peak demand in late Spring and Summer. #5: HVAC Tune-Up Replace your furnace and AC filters for cleaner interior air. Clean filters allow these systems to work at optimal levels and put less strain on them. Remove debris around your AC unit and clean the coils if necessary. Inspect ductwork for any buildup of mold, debris, or allergens. Consider signing up for a yearly service agreement with your preferred HVAC specialist to do these items for you. Learn more about air filter maintenance.   #6: Inspect Your Basement/Crawlspace Look for moisture or leaks along pipes, the foundation, or walls. Grab a flashlight and dive into your crawlspace to check for any possible pipe leaks or sitting water. Catching these items now will help prevent costly repairs in the future.   #7: Apply Grass Seed & Other Lawn Programs Heavy snow and leaf buildup can damage lawns. Inspect for any sparse patches and seed those. Apply your preferred lawn program (i.e. Zamzows, TruGreen) for a green and lush lawn.   #8: Inspect Washing Machine Hoses and Dryer Vent Look over the water hoses for aging such as cracks or wear down. Run a cleaning cycle in your washing machine for extra freshness. Check for lint buildup in the dryer vent hose, this often looks like a thick layer of dust or lint around the interior of the hose. Some hardware stores sell dryer vent brush attachments, or you can contact a professional.   #9: Clean Ceiling Fans and Change Direction If you change your ceiling fan’s direction for efficiency during the colder months, reverse it to keep hot air up and away. Rember to clean off the dust from the blades.   #10: Paint Considering painting your home’s exterior or interior? Early Spring is ideal for painting when temperatures are not too warm or cold. Not sure what color to do? Take note of the homes in your neighborhood, are there any homes you love? Websites like Houzz offer a bounty of inspiration for home colors as well.

View more

Expert Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

Getting your home ready for the market can feel like a daunting task, we're here with tips to help get you started. Despite that we are still in a seller's market, improper preparation and pricing may cost sellers in the long run, leaving money on the table. Our design consultants share some of their tips to prepare your home to stand out above the rest, resulting in a faster sale and higher sales price.   Want to know your home's worth? Find out!   First Impressions Your home’s curb appeal is its first impression, and it’s hard to win over a buyer with a bad first impression. Spruce up the front entry with a fresh coat of paint on the front door, add colorful potted plants, wash your windows, and clean up the yard. The home’s curb appeal lends itself to the kind of care the rest of the home is getting, so this one is a non-negotiable item for sellers looking to maximize their sale.    Neutralize While selling a home, it is important to remember that you want as many people as possible to envision themselves living in the house. One way to do this is to neutralize the home by removing personal items like photos, collectibles, awards, religious regalia, political items, and children/pet items. Another way is to paint interior spaces a neutral color, like soft gray or beige. This presents a blank canvas for potential buyers to focus on the space itself, and visualize their furnishings in it   Set the Stage In a recent survey, the National Association of Realtors found that staging has a significant impact on the home buying and selling process. Home improvement networks like HGTV have affected the way buyers look at homes, and their expectations. TV shows like Fixer Upper educate consumers on what to look for and the many possibilities of home renovations, but also set unrealistic expectations on a timeframe and how homes should look upon completion. The survey noted that staged homes were found to produce 1-5% higher offers than comparable homes that weren’t staged. Rooms that are lived in the most should be staged, including living rooms and master bedrooms. Build vignettes of how the home lives by placing key staging elements in a space, for example, a tray with a bottle of wine and glasses on a table next to a couple of patio chairs creates an inviting look into an evening wind down at home.   Smells Ring Bells One of the strongest human senses is smell. Scientific studies have shown that smell induces strong reactions and triggers memory. Take note of your home’s smell, and invite friends to give feedback as well. A home with overly strong odors like cigarettes, scented plug-ins, or pets will turn some buyers away. It is best to keep added scents minimal as well. Fresh-cut flowers add just enough fragrance to enhance a showing experience, without taking over. Avoid potent flowers like lilies as they may be overpowering.   Clean, clean, clean. Much like if you were to host a party, you wouldn’t want to invite guests to a dirty home when showing to potential buyers. Take time to properly clean the home. This ‘deep clean’ should include: removing dust from ceiling fans and vents, wiping baseboards, polishing metal surfaces, a thorough dusting of light fixtures, scrubbing bathroom tile and grout, and the interior of kitchen appliances.   Lysi Bishop Real Estate offers complimentary design consultation to seller clients Our design experts walk through your home and provide a list of recommendations, including some or all of the above, to help you prepare your home for top dollar. They assist in making selections for paint, fixtures, staging, and more if needed. Our Listing Managers facilitate the entire process of obtaining bids, scheduling appointments, meeting contractors, and managing projects on your behalf. This personalized service gives our sellers peace of mind knowing that their home is being prepared at the highest standard.  Thinking about selling your home? Reach out to us to learn more about the current market, your home’s value, and how we can help you prepare your home to net a higher dollar and faster sale. Contact Us

View more