| Increasing the value of homes for sale can | | | | damage. Here are items that need to be |
| increase the asking price. Though realtors | | | | checked for needed maintenance, repair or |
| suggest improvements that can be made to | | | | replacement: |
| increase home values, there are many things | | | | |
| that can be done by owners in advance of | | | | Items that generally need replacing or |
| listing their California homes for sale. | | | | repaired after ten years of use are |
| | | | dishwashers, disposals, washer/dryers, and |
| Many owners of homes for sale make the | | | | built in microwaves. Also look at fiberglass |
| mistake of doing costly but unnecessary | | | | tubs and showers, laminate countertops, water |
| upgrades, making the wrong improvements, or | | | | heaters, carpeting, wooden decks, and asphalt |
| trying to do too much. Costly upgrade costs | | | | driveways. |
| are seldom recouped, and many types of | | | | |
| improvements add no additional value to the | | | | Items that usually need replacing or repaired |
| homes. | | | | between 15 and 20 years are central air |
| | | | conditioning, all types of heating units, |
| Trying to do too many improvements is the | | | | ranges, ovens, kitchen cabinets, and all |
| biggest mistake made by owners of homes for | | | | types of fixtures, including water faucets |
| sale. The objective is to do a few strategic | | | | and lighting. |
| and important projects really well with | | | | |
| quality materials and workmanship. Doing many | | | | Items to look at that are 20 or more years |
| projects using mediocre materials, | | | | old are sinks, granite countertops, and |
| nonprofessional labor, and/or doing them only | | | | concrete, stone or brick walls and patios.o |
| halfway can, in the end, decrease the value | | | | As to siding on the homes for sale, stucco or |
| of the homes for sale. | | | | wood siding give the most value. Brick gives |
| | | | absolutely no value, and vinyl siding |
| Lets look at some improvements that will add | | | | actually takes away from the asking price.o |
| value to homes for sale: | | | | The features that add the most value to homes |
| | | | for sale are an extra full bathroom, half |
| Yardso Many owners think first of their back | | | | baths, fireplaces (two are better than one), |
| yard, since they have spent so many hours | | | | and a garage for two or more vehicles.o The |
| there compared to the front. The front yard, | | | | next added-value features for homes for sale |
| however, takes precedence over the back for | | | | are double oven, den or study, kitchen |
| homes for sale if sellers cannot get | | | | island, pantry, utility room, extra bedroom, |
| potential buyers through the front doors, | | | | cathedral ceilings, skylights, decks and an |
| then the back yards do not matter!o Overall, | | | | elevator. |
| patios add the most value to homes for sale; | | | | |
| irrigation and then landscaping follow as | | | | Before deciding on any improvement projects, |
| value-added improvements.o Many owners | | | | owners should do a buyer evaluation, |
| overplant, assuming elaborate landscaping | | | | beginning by standing on the street in front |
| will bring a higher selling price. Chaotic | | | | of their homes for sale. Using a notepad, |
| landscapes, however, do not impact potential | | | | they will write down their first impressions |
| buyers as much as lots of attractive lawn | | | | of the lawn and buildings. They must be |
| space. The new owners will add more | | | | objective, as if they are looking at their |
| landscaping if that is what they prefer; so, | | | | homes for the first time as potential buyers. |
| sellers should keep such planting to one area | | | | They should walk through their entire |
| versus many.o A little lighting goes a long | | | | property, making notes of their impressions. |
| way, so owners should use it sparingly and | | | | If owners have a difficult time separating |
| spend their money for other improvements.o If | | | | themselves from the memories that are tied to |
| pavements are added or replaced, owners | | | | the homes for sale, then they should ask a |
| should focus on areas where people gather or | | | | friend do this for them. They can even |
| frequently walk and not over do the paving | | | | contact a realtor and ask him/her to evaluate |
| for walkways and pool areas. | | | | the property for value-added improvements, |
| | | | with the promise or signed contract of |
| Buildings Home, Garages and Any Additional | | | | listing the homes for sale with the realtor |
| Buildingso Cosmetic improvements add the most | | | | later. |
| value. Painting and replacing carpet, | | | | |
| however, give the best payback. Fixtures are | | | | The time to evaluate homes for sale is at the |
| next for increasing the value for homes for | | | | first decision to sell them, giving time to |
| sale.o This is the time to do any maintenance | | | | make improvements that may substantially |
| that has been postponed whether it can be | | | | increase your selling price. |
| seen or not and especially any structural | | | | |