by Teryn Bonime www.teryndowntheroad.com
In a previous career, I trained HUNDREDS of people, across the US and Europe. In real estate, I have also had the privilege of working with hundreds of people to help them buy, sell and hold real estate. Like you, I like working with clients that I would enjoy inviting to my dinner table! Real estate isn’t like buying a car where you are ‘stuck’ with the first salesman that approaches you. You have choices.
Remodeling and replacement projects can add value to your home, but some projects recoup their costs better than others. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, small and exterior projects return the most value for your money.
The project that offered the best value overall was a steel entry door replacement, which recouped 101.8 percent of its costs when the home was sold. The steel entry door is consistently the least expensive project named in the report, costing about $1,200 on average. The second best value is the addition of a manufactured stone veneer, which can recoup 92.2 percent of its original cost, but be prepared to invest at least $7,000 for the improvement.
Here is a question I am often asked:
In my career as a realtor, I have helped clients buy and sell hundreds of homes. As part of wealth building, I’ve also counseled clients on holding onto their property.
Plus, over the course of many, many years my husband and I have purchased and sold many of our own homes. The first home we lived in had been his bachelor pad which we turned into a rental property and held on to it for over 20 years. What was most amazing about that little house was that we leveraged it many times which allowed us over the years to buy and sell a very large tri-plex, three commercial buildings, our first home, and our dream home which was a 1915 hunting lodge.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Time to pick out the tree and haul ornament-filled boxes from the attic. But, the next open house you have won’t be for your dear friends — it will be for potential buyers. Stay festive without crossing the line with these Frontdoor.com tips.
Your yard and front door provide a sneak preview of the warm and inviting atmosphere inside. Showcase winter’s beauty with a pinecone wreath on your door, and excite prospective buyers by hanging some simple lights outside.