Monday Morning Blahhhg

Well....in Real Estate News for the Grand Traverse Area.....Inventory is LOW! It seems a home hits the market and is under contract in no time at all. That is great news, but can be frustrating for a serious and qualified buyer looking to purchase. It is important that as soon as a home is listed and fits your criteria, that you look at it as soon as possible. It is not the same market as 2010 or even 2012 where you can sit back and wait....think about it a while....then wait some more. If anyone is considering selling their home now is the perfect time. All POSITIVE news :)

Anyway, if anyone was considering re-vamping a bathroom here are some things to think about....

Maximum Value Project:

Bathroom

Boost your home value by turning your bathrooms into a relaxing, spa-like retreat.

Sink and Fixtures- The sink and fixtures set the tone for your bathroom, so if you can’t afford to do anything else, at least upgrade you sink and faucet.

Counters and Vanity- Functionality is crucial for kitchen countertops and cabinetry, but in the bathroom, you can focus on style and appearance.

Flooring- Ceramic tile is a popular choice for bathroom flooring, but hardwood or concrete can offer a unique look.

Tub and Shower-Unless you're a DIY expert, it's probably best that you avoid ripping out the tub. You may also want to avoid painting the tub with acrylic paint, because that usually doesn't work well. Instead, look into the wraparound tub liners that fit over your older tub to give it an instant makeover.

Questions Answered! Small and Large

Is there anything we can do to increase the value of our home, or make it more salable when we put it on the market? The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Fresh paint, new hardware, etc. etc........is the most popular and easiest on the pocket...but if you are really feeling ambitious and want to take on a remodel, consider this.

Recouping your remodeling investment may be your goal when selling your house. But when it comes to resale value, all home improvements are NOT created equal. As a rule, kitchen and bathroom remodels almost always pay back 90% or more of their costs. However, finishing a basement usually pays back less than 50%. Other improvements fall somewhere in between.

PROJECT	COST	AVERAGE PAYBACK
Heat or Air System	2,000-4,500	75%-100%
Minor Kitchen Remodel	2,000-8,500	94% to 102%
Major Kitchen Remodel	9,000-25,000	90%
Add Bathroom	5,000-12,000	92%
Add a Family Room	30,000	86%
Remodel Bathroom	8,500	77%
Add a Fireplace	1,500-3,000	75%
Build a Deck	6,000	73%
Remodel Home Office	8,000	69%
Replace Windows	6,000	68% to 74%
Build a Pool	10,000 and up	44%
Install/Upgrade Landscape	1,500 to 15,000	30% to 60%
Finish Basement	3,000 to 7,000	15%

T'is the SEASON

Where is the month of March going? Before we can blink an eye April will have arrived! Spring is fast approaching and so are the cleaning chores....makes both yourself and the house happy....(and the potential buyer)

T'is the season to Spring Clean........

Bedroom: Go through clothes! Gather winter clothes that will not be worn for another year. It is also a good time to flip your mattress, wash all linen (curtains included!), and mattress covers as well.
Kitchen: Go through all refrigerator, freezer, and canned good items and check expiration dates. Wipe out all cupboards and fridge shelves as well. Wipe down the outside of all appliances and cupboards.
Living and Dining Area: Refresh decor by adding new pictures or simply putting old old pictures in new frames. Dust and vacuum, and if possible get the carpets cleaned.
All-Over: Get rid of clutter! Wipe down walls and baseboards, and clean windows. Top it all off with new welcome mats outdoors.....

and Wallah...spring cleaning is complete!

Lucky me, I enlisted the help of my husband yesterday to accomplish a few of these myself :) 

Let's get GOING :)

The sun is shining and houses are selling, a GREAT way to start the week! I am in the process of helping a couple clients revamp a few areas of their homes before we put them on the market. It always amazes me the difference a few little upgrades can make! One family is tweaking a couple things in their kitchen, and in return will get a new amazing look. The kitchen is where deals are made or lost. Today's kitchen is the heart of the home, where families cook, entertain, pay bills, do homework, and just hang out.

Here are a few tips for making a great looking kitchen....on a budget

* remover clutter- a few appliances are okay, but clear up extra items taking up counter space

* a fresh coat of paint is inexpensive and can brighten up a room

* replace faucet if old or outdated

* change your hardware. It can totally change the look of the kitchen

Enjoy :)

Spring Selling Season and all that GOOD stuff

I can't help but get excited for Spring. If you are anything like me....I have had ENOUGH of the winter cold and snow. I have to listen to husband brag that we still have one good solid month of this winter weather.....but you can't blame me for preparing for the thaw. Soon it will be time to crack the windows in both the car and house....comfortably go for walks with my girls.....comfortably walk property lines with my clients....and sell sell sell. CAN'T WAIT :)

But in this in between time here are a few thoughts on selling your home in the Spring......
Spring is the season most people think of as prime house-selling time, primarily because of timing. If you buy a house in spring, you are more than likely to be in, situated, and enjoying your time there throughout the summer in this beautiful town we call home. Money is another factor. Many people use their tax return as part of a down payment.
If you are selling this spring:
You'll have more competition, but more serious and interested buyers. It is also a good idea to have your yard work either started or complete. This will make your home look more "clean" from the outside. You can add that extra curb appeal by adding a splash of color through early spring flowers. It is always the first impression that counts, so make the most of it. There are a lot of buyers out there looking for a place they can call home!
 Judging from the incredible amount of winter sales, I am predicting this upcoming season to be the busiest we have had in a long time!

Hmmmm.....

Well this is my first post on this new blog......
I actually have 1 hour and 30 minutes to myself (yes I am counting)....... I don't want to paint my nails or deep condition my hair....I want to blog.
How's that for my first one....
Stay tuned....I will soon be blogging about my real estate adventures and everything that goes along with it :)