What Upgrades Increase Home Value?

When looking to maximize the value of your home, it’s important to know which improvements will have the greatest impact. The right upgrades can make all the difference in what buyers will pay for your property. To help you decide which improvements to work on, we’ve shortlisted a few upgrades that can potentially increase the value of your home.

1. Convert or Build a Home Office

We all saw the world shift when the pandemic hit. Office work has found its way into our homes and for some, it means making room for a work-conducive area.

In a survey done by HomeLight during Fall of 2021, results showed that 60% of top real estate agents had clients with home office as a top priority in their property search. With this demand, home offices add over $10,000 in resale value, according to a mid-2020 data by the same company.

To accommodate an office in your home, you can try converting spaces such as walk-in closets. Or, you can also go big and construct an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) right in your backyard. Whichever way you want to do it, you’ll benefit either way — while you’re living in your home and when you decide to sell your home in the future.

2. Finish an Unfinished Basement

If you have an unfinished basement, you might want to fix it up prior to selling your home. According to HomeAdvisor, it can get sellers a potential of 75% return on investment (ROI) with a finished basement of around 400-1,500 square feet. Turn it into an office, a guest room, a great room, or just leave it blank and let potential buyers imagine what they’ll make of the space.

3. Touch up or re-do your exterior paint

Out of all the upgrades in this list, exterior touch ups may be the most doable and economical. Although this upgrade is not as drastic as the others, it can change your home’s curb appeal instantly — from looking run-down to brand-spanking new! Here are some ways you can change the exterior look of your home:

  1. Pressure wash the exterior, including the sidewalk, driveway, patio or deck. Nothing beats a sparkling home free of dirt and those green algae.
  2. Paint the main door with a bold color against a neutral exterior, as often recommended by designers.
  3. Check the exterior of your home for any flaking or chipped paint. If there are any visible paint issues, it would be better to at least touch them up.
  4. Go all-out and re-do the exterior paint entirely.

4. Add a deck or patio

Outdoor dining, back yard barbecue, outdoor gym or additional living space — decks and patios are a fantastic way to get your daily dose of fresh air while entertaining or getting a bit of sweat on. These spaces are a common addition to any American home and can add an average of over $7,000 in resale value. Building a deck can cost you around $4,300, which will likely lead to a positive ROI when you decide to sell your home.

5. Install New Windows

According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 90% of home buyers found energy-efficient windows to either be essential or desirable. Replacing your home’s windows can be expensive, but an estimated 80% of the cost can be regained at resale, according to a HomeLight survey.

If you choose to install new windows, make sure to check the the U.S. Department of Energy’s online guide that contains the government’s minimum energy-efficiency standards for new windows. These standards may vary based on the climate zone where the home is located.

6. Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

Swap out the kitchen and bathroom fixtures and drawer knobs for a newer, modern design. If your home has a more traditional or eclectic vibe, replace the fixtures and knobs with a design suited for its style. The important thing is to get a refresh from all the gunk that has been stuck in the nooks and crannies of these items. If done right, this simple and inexpensive swap can give your home a cohesive feel.

If you have the budget to make a minor remodel, this can garner you an estimated amount of 71% ROI, according to HomeLight. Comparing that to a major kitchen remodel, which can only get you 56% ROI, the minor remodel is the better choice. For bathrooms, a minor remodel can get 60% ROI while an upscale remodel gets 5% less.

Here are some items that you might want to remember when remodeling your kitchen or bathroom:

  1. Replace the countertop. Granite countertops add more value to your home, but it can be expensive. A less expensive option would be to put in granite tiles instead of a whole slab.
  2. Replace the cabinetry. If you don’t have the budget for this, you can make your cabinets look modern and brand new with a fresh coat of paint.
  3. Replace the appliances. Upgrade the appliances into stainless steel and energy-efficient ones.
  4. Replace the old fixtures and drawer knobs with standard ones. This won’t cost you as much, so make sure you include this in the remodel.
  5. Replace the old tiles. You can also have them regrouted to save money. This feels the same as having a fresh coat of paint on your wall.
  6. Refinish the tub and liner. This is an inexpensive way to make the bathroom look brand new.

We hope these tips help you sell your home quicker and at a higher value!


Source: HomeLight.com

Five Selling Tips for 2023

So you’re thinking about making some big changes in your life this year — moving to a different home or even finally cashing out on your investment property. You decide to sell your house to make these changes possible. What now?

The real estate market is ever-evolving and can be difficult to navigate, but there are a few steps you can take to make your home more desirable and increase its value.

Clean and declutter

First and foremost, a thorough cleaning and decluttering is required. A clean and well organized home not only looks more appealing, but it also puts potential buyers at ease. Removing personal items such as family photos can also help potential buyers visualize themselves in a home. It’s like giving the buyers a blank canvas to work on.

Complete Repairs and Negotiations

Before putting your home on the market, make sure that any repairs or renovations you’ve been putting off are finished. You wouldn’t want potential buyers to think that you did not take care of the home you’re selling. It also helps buyers focus more on painting their lives in your home, rather than the patchy paint on the walls.

If you have an unfinished basement, completing it will add usable square footage to your home. Ever since the pandemic, more people have migrated to a remote or work-from-home set up. An office space would definitely be a bonus room. These things will lead to an increase in the listing price and potentially earn you more in the end.

Price Your Home Competitively

Do some research on the local real estate market to ensure you’re pricing your home competitively. Examine recent sales in your area and set a reasonable asking price. The first published listing price is quite important because it sets the tone for your listing. Price it too high and you’ll get few offers or none and may result in a longer listing period. You wouldn’t want your listing to go stale on the market. This can potentially scare buyers into thinking that there must be something wrong with the home. Now, if you price it too low, you might not get your money’s worth back for the house. Buyers may also request additional closing costs or repairs to the home after inspection. This will eat up a chunk of the sale price and may leave you with nothing but a loss. So, make sure the price is right!

Create An Eye-Catching Marketing Plan

Create an eye-catching marketing plan to entice potential buyers. When marketing your home, make sure to use all of the available resources. Use online listings, local newspapers, and even word-of-mouth advertising to advertise your home. Once you launch your advertisement onto the internet, don’t forget to be patient and persistent during the process. It may take some time to sell your home. Between responding to inquiries and entertaining buyer walkthroughs, it can take much of your time and effort. But if you keep at it, you will get your home sold soon enough!

Find An Experienced Real Estate Agent

Finally, look for an experienced real estate agent. The agent will help you with all the steps mentioned above and more! Real estate agents will assess your needs such as the net profit for your home and your selling timeframe. They will also help you prepare your home to make sure that it’s market-ready. Marketing, open houses, showings and buyer inquiries are some of the services that agents carry out during the listing phase. In a multiple offer situation, they can help you assess the best offer to take, based on their real estate knowledge and past experiences. From offer straight to closing, good real estate agents will guide and assist you throughout the whole process. This makes for a more enjoyable and less stressful sale.

Events in Portland for February 2023

Events in Portland, Oregon for February 2023

It’s February! The month we dedicate to Black History and a little thing called L-O-V-E. In the hopes of getting into a mood of celebration and appreciation this month, we’ve picked out a selection of Portland events just for you!


Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes

📅 Nov. 15, 2022 – Apr. 9, 2023 | 📍 OMSI | 💵 $24 – $30

Come celebrate Marvel’s 80-year history with an exhibition that takes you on a journey to the universe of the characters that we know and love. Discover behind-the-scenes stories from the creators themselves. Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes features a long list of interesting artifacts, interactive displays and life-size statues of Marvel’s iconic Super Heroes. Never-before-seen props and costumes from Marvel movies and series will be on display as well.

You can also enjoy OMSI’s four science labs as your ticket includes access to OMSI’s Turbine Hall, reimagined Science Playground, and Natural Sciences Hall.

Location

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Schedule

Jan. 31 – Feb. 59:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 7 – Feb. 129:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 14 – Feb. 179:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Ongoing

See website | Get tickets


Portland Winter Light Festival

📅 Feb. 3-11, 2023 | 📍 City Wide | 💵 Free

Get entranced with the Instagram-worthy light displays at the Portland Winter Light Festival. The pop-up light installations will be scattered across the city and can be viewed at no charge! More chances of viewing these light art when you drive along the North, Northeast, Downtown and Southeast Portland areas. Check out the Portland Winter Light Festival website for a map of the installation locations.

See website


Biamp Portland Jazz Festival

📅 Feb. 16-25, 2023 | 📍 Various Venues | 💵 Cost Varies

The Biamp Portland Jazz Festival celebrates Black History Month with some jazz music. A series of concerts and events will be held for over two weeks this month. Watch the live performances of up-and-coming and legendary Jazz musicians. Here’s a list of performers for the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival:

  • Hubert Laws
  • Dave Holland
  • Bill Frisell plus Hiatus Kaiyote
  • Charlie Musselwhite and Curtis Salgado
  • Angélique Kidjo, 5-time Grammy winner
  • Storm Large
  • Jon Cleary with funk-fusion export Dumpstaphunk
  • .. and many more!

See website | Get tickets


NW Black Comedy Festival

📅 Feb. 16-19, 2023 | 📍 Curious Comedy Theater | 💵 Cost Varies

The NW Black Comedy Festival is back with eleven showcases, two live podcasts, and over sixty Black comics from around the world to bring you hours of fun and laughter. This event was awarded in 2020 by The New Your Times as one of The Best Black History Month Events in the country.

Location

Curious Comedy Theater
5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211

See website | Get tickets


Portland Mardi Gras Parade

📅 Feb. 21, 2023 | 📍 Mississippi Avenue | 💵 Free

Watch out for Portland’s family-friendly Mardi Gras Parade along Mississippi Avenue. Everyone is invited to dress up and dance along! Some lucky participants may even get a chance to receive a signature mini-umbrella from hosts Krewe. Food and beverage specials will be available all day at Mississippi Avenue and even after the parade. Who knew Portland had its own Mardi Gras parade?

Location

The parade starts at Victoria Bar and proceeds down Mississippi Avenue to Cook St. near Ecliptic Brewing (source: http://www.travelportland.com)

See website

Source: www.travelportland.com

Update! Beaverton OR 2023

Let’s take a quick look at the current real estate market in Beaverton, Oregon. Weekly real estate data which prepares the sellers and buyers with more up-to-date information than other delayed data. Altos Report.

With the yearly seasonality, we are seeing pending sales inching up, home buying demand is increasing. Price is somewhat flattening overall. The biggest difference makers are available tools for the buyers: rate buy-down, better negotiation leverage, loans with free refi in the future, more houses to choose from.

Beaverton Altos Report Feb 2023

Request beaverton home value

 

 


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