With so much at-home time due to the pandemic, higher home prices and rising interest rates, many people have chosen to stay put and make their homes and yards more functional and comfortable. In fact, in a recent survey, 72 percent of homeowners said they’d prefer to make home upgrades instead of selling their home. What remodeling projects are the most popular, and what’s their return on investment?
Continue reading Popular Remodeling Projects: Are They Worth the Cost?
Double-pane windows have lots of great benefits and will increase the value of your home. But they also have drawbacks that window companies fail to mention when promoting them and touting their energy savings. As a REALTOR, I get to see how they function (or sometimes don’t) in homes.
Continue reading Double-Pane Windows: Pros and Cons
Redesigns or remodels can leave homeowners with a hole in their pocket. What start as great ideas can quickly snowball into significant expenses. But sprucing up your home doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Continue reading Affordable Updates
Landscaping is a great way to make the property you just purchased (or one you’ve owned for a while) feel truly like home. But not everyone has experience with designing outdoor spaces. Use these tips to help you properly plan your landscaping project and make your yard the best it can be.
Continue reading Landscape Your New Home
Thinking about remodeling? Before you start, it’s important to know what home buyers want so your improvements will not only meet your needs today, but also add value to your home down the road.
Continue reading What Home Buyers Want Most
The start of a new year always compels people to take a fresh look at their goals, from health and career to relationships and finance. But with historically low mortgage rates, increased home sales and price growth, and a tight housing inventory, the time is right to also make some homeownership resolutions for 2021.
Continue reading 9 New Year’s Resolutions for Buyers, Sellers and Homeowners
Whether you’re prepping your house to go on the market or looking for ways to maximize its long-term appreciation, these nine home improvement projects are great ways to add function, beauty, and real value to your home.
Continue reading Add Value to Your Home with These 9 DIY Improvements
Thanks to Marie Kondo and her hit Netflix series “Tidying Up,” home organization is a hot topic right now. Marie encourages her viewers to minimize their possessions and keep only those items that “spark joy.”
With spring in full bloom, now is the perfect time to do some spring cleaning and add organizational systems to your own home. Not only will you clear out clutter, your efforts can actually increase the value of your home.
Ready to give it a try? Here are five home organization ideas that will “spark joy” for you and your property value.
Continue reading Top 5 Home Organization Upgrades that “Spark Joy” for Buyers
Looking for those last minute presents for loved ones this holiday season? I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite home gadget gift ideas. And since I work in real estate, I focused on items that add enjoyment, comfort and, in some cases, extra value to your home.
From music lovers to home chefs, I’ve got something for everyone. And I’ve included a range of price points to suit any budget, from under $50 to major splurge, in case you’re feeling extra generous this year. I hope you find this list useful in identifying gifts your friends and family will love. And maybe some of these items will make your wish list this year, too!
Continue reading 20 Home Gadget Gift Ideas to Fit Any Budget
There’s a reason REALTORS® always advise home sellers to remove all clutter when selling their homes: The difference is remarkable. The clutter-free home often looks like a new one entirely, and homeowners even wonder how their home could look that good.
You don’t have to wait to sell your home to make it look better. Plus, clutter can physically and mentally stress us out. By breaking your decluttering down into five-minute sessions, you can slowly conquer your clutter. Leo Babauta of Zen Habits offers some ways to start:
Continue reading Kill the Clutter