Renovations and Upgrades: Bring it to the Bank Part 2

Written by Elaine VonCannon


Continued from page 1

The Importance Of Maintainingrepparttar Face Of The Home

Renovations and updates do not include roofs and other exterior materials. This is part of home maintenance and should automatically be done to maintainrepparttar 135894 value of your home. Landscaping and a fence can greatly add torepparttar 135895 value of a home. Expect about a 70% return on labor and materials for landscaping and fence installation. If you have a fence that is old and has seen better days be sure to repair or replace it or it will lower your home value. Underground irrigation systems and sod can payoff nicely – as much as a 70% return. Shutters, porches and gutters yield about 80%. Pools are of little value when attempting to increase your home value. Aside fromrepparttar 135896 extra insurance you will need, a pool is only worthrepparttar 135897 investment if you live in an area where most homeowners have pools. Pools are like wallpaper: buyers either love them or hate them. Last Words

A word of caution: remember to pull all permits when doing renovations or updates on your home. Make certainrepparttar 135898 contractor pulls all permits when you resell or this will come back to haunt you. Also, if you have no experience with these kinds of home projects, do not attempt them. Do It Yourself (DIY) may be popular, but trust my judgment and years of experience. DIY renovations will often pale in comparison to a professional job. If you insist on tacklingrepparttar 135899 projects on your own, take a class on each type of renovation or find a friend with some background who is willing to assist you. Remember, generally speaking, pride in ownership is apparent in a property and that you can take torepparttar 135900 bank.



Elaine VonCannon is a REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia, and she specializes in retirement and relocation in the Williamsburg area. She is an Accredited Buyer's Representative as well as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. Elaine VonCannon also works with real estate investors and home sellers.


Renovations and Upgrades: Bring it to the Bank Part 1

Written by Elaine VonCannon


Continued from page 1

Bathroom Do’s and Don’ts

The bathroom is another room buyers love to examine carefully; you will want it to have a lot of appeal. If you can see a ring around your tub for each child then it’s time to replace or reface it. The shower and bathroom tiles must be clean, replace tiles that are in bad shape. Ceramic tiles arerepparttar best choice for flooring and new sinks. Be certainrepparttar 135893 grout and caulk are orderly and neat. New counters, sinks, light fixtures and cabinetry will enable you to get more return on your investment. Do not use wallpaper, since it does not hold up well in a moist environment.

Everyone Needs Personal Space

In a homerepparttar 135894 bedrooms become each person’s sanctuary. The layout and bedroom size can affectrepparttar 135895 appeal of your space. If you have small bedrooms consider taking a wall or two out and openingrepparttar 135896 space up. For example, five small bedrooms can be transformed into three larger bedrooms. Ifrepparttar 135897 home lacks in closet space closet organizers can help maximize space. Freshen uprepparttar 135898 light fixtures; even match them to individual décor. A chair rail or crown molding also adds value. Of course, upgradingrepparttar 135899 carpet or wood floor also makesrepparttar 135900 rooms more enticing. When you replacerepparttar 135901 carpet buy high quality padding, despiterepparttar 135902 added expense. Cheap padding will not be a long lasting upgrade.

Time is Up….Tune In next Time

Now that you have some tools, you are ready to make your first steps towards a better home. Thinking strategically isrepparttar 135903 key to increased value and perfect home improvements. Two more important tips: keep all of your permits on file when you decide to resell and consider hiring a professional when renovating your home. Good luck with your current projects! Visit http://www.vonccannonrealestate.com for Part 2 of “Renovations and Upgrades: Bring It To The Bank” to learn more aboutrepparttar 135904 other rooms in your home, exterior maintenance andrepparttar 135905 importance of garages, fences and more.



Elaine VonCannon is a REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia, and she specializes in retirement and relocation in the Williamsburg area. She is an Accredited Buyer's Representative as well as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. Elaine VonCannon also works with real estate investors and home sellers.


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