Curb Appeal Is King, NAR Study Finds
Nine of the top ten most cost-effective projects in terms of value recouped are exterior replacement projects, according to the National Association of Realtors 2010–11 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report.
Among the report’s findings:
- The steel entry door replacement is the project that returned the most money, with an estimated 102.1 percent of cost recouped when the home is sold.
- The midrange garage door replacement is expected to recoup 83.9 percent of costs.
- Upscale fiber-cement siding replacement was deemed the most cost-effective among siding projects, recouping 80 percent of costs.
- Upscale vinyl window replacements were expected to recoup the most among window replacement projects, at 72.6 percent.
- Wood decks tied with a minor kitchen remodel for the fourth most profitable project, recouping an estimated 72.8 percent of costs.
Meanwhile, here’s what the study found inside the house:
- An attic bedroom addition costs more than $51,000 and recoups an estimated 72.2 percent.
- A basement remodel costs more than $64,000 and recoups an estimated 70 percent.
- Improvement projects that are expected to return the least are a midrange home office remodel, recouping an estimated 45.8 percent; a backup power generator, recouping 48.5 percent; and a sunroom addition, recouping 48.6 percent of costs.
In addition, the study found that Texas was among the regions that were consistently estimated to return a higher percentage of remodeling costs when a home is sold.
Source: RISMEDIA
Read MoreTop 8 Reasons to Sell a house in Fall or Winter – Episode 204
Evan and Richard of The Matteson Group the Top 8 Reasons to Sell a home in Fall or Winter in the real estate market in the Rockwall and Heath Texas areas.
- The buyers are SERIOUS!
- Less competition
- Houses show great with Holiday decorations
- Buyers have financial and tax reasons to close before end of year
- More people can look due to Holiday time off
- Easier to get a moving company
- Contract now but close after Christmas so you can still enjoy the Holidays before moving
- Good buys right now on the purchase side
For more info:
www.TheMattesonGroup.com
Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors
214.405.3640
Your trusted real estate advisors providing a joy filled experience!
4 Interior Painting Tips
1.Get the surface ready.
You want the paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean before you start painting. Remove any handprints, dirt, or scuff marks. Lightly sand any glossy spots to avoid streaks.
2. Select a paint sheen and color.
Ah, the choices! Many paint stores are making it easier to narrow down your choices by offering small trial sizes so that you can test the color at home and look for any variations in daylight and night. Lighting has a big effect on the way color appears. Remember: Higher sheen paints tend to offer more durability than flat paints, so use them in high-traffic areas. Stain or low-lustre finishes offer more warmth and depth than a flat paint. Consider a high sheen paint on the ceiling, which offers good reflection in the room.
3. Don’t go cheap on the paint.
It’s always tempting to save a buck, but it might not be worth it on paint. Painting is a big job, so you want the expense and quality to show. The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, a national painting education group, recommends purchasing top-quality acrylic latex interior paint, which will go on smoothly and allow for easy soap and water cleanups.
4. Choose the right paint tools.
If you’re using a roller to paint, select the right length of roller nap cover for proper paint coverage. The smoother your painting surface, the shorter the nap should be. Use synthetic materials, which are made from nylon or polyester, when applying latex or water-based paints.
Source: Realtor Magazine
Read More6 Landscaping Tricks That Wow Buyers
1. Add splashes of color. With every changing season, a landscape should provide a new display of colors, textures, and fragrances. “It’s best to use one or two and repeat them,” Glassman says. Example: white iceberg roses that bloom in spring, summer, and fall as a backdrop; in front, a contrasting punch of purple salvia or lavender that will flower at the same time; and as an accent, a crape myrtle tree that provides changing leaf colors in fall and interesting branches come winter.
2. Size trees and shrubs to scale. These should be planted in the right scale for the house so that they don’t block windows, doors, and other architectural features on the home’s facade. A large two-story house can handle a redwood, Chinese pistache, sycamore, or scarlet oak, but a one-story cottage is better paired with a flowering cherry, crabapple, or eastern redbud. Too many trees cast too much shadow and cause potential buyers to worry about maintenance and costs.
3. Maintain a perfect lawn. A velvety green lawn demonstrates tender loving care, so be sure sellers’ homes don’t have brown spots. Some rocks, pebbles, boulders, drought-tolerant plants, and ornamental grasses will generate more kudos, especially in drought areas.
4. Light up the outside. Good illumination allows buyers to see a home at night and adds drama. Sellers should use low-voltage lamps to highlight branches of specimen trees, a front door, walk, and corners of the house. But less is better. The yard shouldn’t resemble an airport runway.
5. Let them hear the water. The sound of water appeals to buyers, and you shouldn’t just reserve this for your backyard. A small fountain accented with rocks provides a pleasant gurgling sound, blocks street noise, and is affordable.
6. Use decorative architectural elements. A new mailbox, planted window boxes, and a low fence wrapped in potato vines add cachet, particularly during winter months when fewer plants blossom. Colors should complement the landscape and home. Just don’t overdo it: Too much can seem like kitschy lawn ornaments.
Source: Realtor Magazine
Read More12 Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
1. Get at least three written estimates. 
2. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed.
3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.
4. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.
5. Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.
6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.
7. Check that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.
8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will be involved too.
9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations.
10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.
11. Guarantee that the materials that will be used meet your specifications.
12. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work.
Source: Realtor Magazine
Read MoreRemodel Cost vs Value 2009-2010
Texas – 2009-10 National Averages |
| Job Cost | Resale Value | Cost Recouped | Project | Job Cost | Resale Value | Cost Recouped | Change vs. 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $41,389 | $40,448 | 97.7% | Attic Bedroom | $49,346 | $40,992 | 83.1% |  |
| $12,540 | $9,789 | 78.1% | Backup Power Generator | $14,304 | $8,428 | 58.9% | |
| $33,188 | $22,955 | 69.2% | Bathroom Addition | $39,046 | $23,233 | 59.5% |  |
| $14,109 | $11,532 | 81.7% | Bathroom Remodel | $16,142 | $11,454 | 71.0% | |
| $14,463 | $10,011 | 69.2% | Deck Addition (composite) | $15,373 | $10,904 | 70.9% | |
| $9,773 | $7,924 | 81.1% | Deck Addition (wood) | $10,634 | $8,573 | 80.6% | |
| $3,252 | $2,415 | 74.3% | Entry Door Replacement (fiberglass) | $3,490 | $2,275 | 65.2% |  |
| $1,043 | $2,496 | 239.3% | Entry Door Replacement (steel) | $1,172 | $1,470 | 128.9% | |
| $70,827 | $51,071 | 72.1% | Family Room Addition | $82,756 | $54,051 | 65.3% | |
| $50,123 | $33,538 | 66.9% | Garage Addition | $58,432 | $36,361 | 62.2% | |
| $26,101 | $13,970 | 53.5% | Home Office Remodel | $28,375 | $13,648 | 48.1% | |
| $52,405 | $39,346 | 75.1% | Major Kitchen Remodel | $57,215 | $41,260 | 72.1% | |
| $88,750 | $61,959 | 69.8% | Master Suite Addition | $103,696 | $67,578 | 65.2% | |
| $20,077 | $16,557 | 82.5% | Minor Kitchen Remodel | $21,411 | $16,773 | 78.3% | |
| $15,148 | $10,734 | 70.9% | Roofing Replacement | $19,731 | $13,133 | 66.6% | |
| $9,365 | $7,394 | 79.0% | Siding Replacement (vinyl) | $10,607 | $8,476 | 79.9% | |
| $66,046 | $34,375 | 52.0% | Sunroom Addition | $73,167 | $37,118 | 50.7% | |
| $139,048 | $99,095 | 71.3% | Two-Story Addition | $156,309 | $107,286 | 68.6% | |
| $9,285 | $6,859 | 73.9% | Window Replacement (vinyl) | $10,728 | $8,217 | 76.6% | |
| $10,168 | $7,802 | 76.7% | Window Replacement (wood) | $11,700 | $9,044 | 77.3% | |
Source: Remodeling Magazine
Read More
Recent Comments