Try Before You Buy? At Least Analyze it.

As a buyer sometimes we so want to try before we buy. And some products do come with that kind of an offer.

Houses are not one of those products. Except for one long gone HGTV show based on this very premise.

More important than the house is the neighborhood. You can change the house, but you can get stuck with a location you really can't stand.

Let me share with you how my husband I have always bought our 'neighborhood' before we allowed ourselves to fall in love with a house.

The age of the homes dictate the search in an area. Once the area is chosen and a house identified we now start the 'showings'.
Don't misunderstand this is not yet about the house, but the neighbors and how they live in there homes. Are they well maintained? Are there grease spots on the driveways and on the street in front of any homes?
Sound silly??? If you can't stand it now you can't change it latter!

How does the neighborhood look when everyone is home and on the weekends.
We have even returned at 10pm and taken a walk in a neighborhood. Do you feel safe there not matter the time of day or night?
One lovely tree-lined neighborhood that was so desirable during the day had whole different vibe at night!
The streets were lined with cars, on top of these car were teenagers with the music so loud.
House and neighborhood no longer on the list we moved on to area #2.

We have never gone so far as to interview the neighbors but we always drop by our immediate neighbors with a treat as soon as we move in, just a "Hi there nice to meet you" can go a long way in establishing good relations and make problems easier to overcome latter on.

Before you fall in love with a house make sure you love your neighborhood.

Money-back Remodeling

Is this the year you will be selling your home?

Get started by writing the list of changes you would make if you were staying in the house.

Why spend money on a house you are gong to sell?
Well the changes you would make maybe just the thing to help you home sell faster and for more money.

The key is not to remodel so much that you cannot get your money back.

Here are a few numbers* to compare prior to taking the 'plunge'.

Minor Kitchen remodel-- 78.3% return
Basement remodel-- 75.4% return
Major Kitchen remodel-- 72.1% return
Bathroom remodel-- 71.0% return

I was surprised to see the basement remodel had a larger return than a bathroom remodel.
Of course each house is different. A 70's era bath would trump a basement in the same house that was finished in the year 2000!

I have always said never over remodel the kitchen for the best return on investment.
A fresh paint color can work wonders in updating a room. Choose a color in the 'food' range of colors and you can't go wrong. Never paint a kitchen blue!
Lighting and water fixtures as well as cabinet knobs are the next update.
Need more?
Well counters and flooring are up next. But now your hinging on a major remodel.
Cabinet replacement and reconfiguration throw you well into a major remodel.
To scale back consider refacing the cabinets if they are really dated or worn.
Need to scale back some more? Choose a flooring redo over the counters.
Pick a great neutral flooring that complements the rest of your home and let your buyers redo the counters themselves.

Just because your selling now is not the time to stop spending on your home.
Add value to your home with modest tasteful remodeling and watch your home sell over the competition.


*Statistic resource Remodeling Magazine, Cost Vs Value Report.
Visit www.remodeling-magazine.com for more info.