Add Improvements To Your Home To Increase Its Value

Like many homeowners you may have decided that you need some professional assistance with remodeling, fixing or maintaining your home. The benefits are obvious; many home improvement projects can increase your home's eventual resale value. You will more than likely want a local contractor who is affordable, reliable, yet professional to help you repair or remodel your most important investment when attempting to sell a house.

The first step is finding the perfect contractor to fit your needs AND your budget. Asking around and speaking to friends, coworkers and family are great barometers of finding the good and bad contractors. Talk with some of former customers before you hire. They can help you decide if a particular contractor is right for you. Contractors live and die by their reputation, and good ones protect it by standing behind their work and getting the job right the first time. The general contractor you hire should have the technical, business and interpersonal skills, the tools and the experience needed to do the job you want done.

The second step is know EXACTLY what you want. For instance, you know that you want to build on an eight by ten foot room, with two windows and four electrical outlets. Save yourself money from the get go, and put your blinders on. Ignore what the contractor can and can't do for you. However, on the flip side listening to their "suggestions" is recommended. Contractors can make great suggestions, and we pay them for their experience. Maybe you could get a ten by ten foot room for the same or less money because this contractor can cut the beams differently than you originally expected for the home you are trying to sell.

Third, meet with contractors; get your estimates IN WRITING. It's always good practice to get at least three written estimates. You should always also get the specific terms in writing as well. What kind of wood do you want used? What kind of finishing on the walls? What color of paint? How many outlets do you want? Make absolutely sure that you have specified all of the details in writing. By not doing so, could impact the final price when the job is complete.

The days of the "handshake deals" are long gone. Even the easier home improvement project can be a major headache, so minimize the need for painkillers and be prepared ahead of time.

When you sell a house in a buyers market, many things work against you. If your home is too "beat up" and in need of work, it may discourage interest from conventional buyers. What this means for you is, the only people that may be interested in the home would be that of contractors or would be home flippers, and more than likely they will lowball you on your price.

Taking care of the repairs before selling the home will affect your asking price. You are much more likely to get more for your home by taking care of the repairs, and too; you can certainly roll the cost of the repairs into you homes sale price.

I have found in the latest home statistics reports that you can recoup up to 75% of exterior remodeling expense, whereas interior remodeling projects value returns of 45% to 73%.

Here are some quick, and easy, yet cost effective remodeling tips you can do to not only increase your homes value, but you will also recoup most of your expense. It's a win win, for sure.

Paint: Painting your home is the most cost effective and profitable improvement you can make. A fresh coat of paint on the outside of the home makes the outer appearance much more cleaners, and tents to hide weathering. Paint the interior walls a neutral color, I suggest an "Oyster White" on the walls, and the ceilings white to make the rooms look much bigger.

Lights: Replace those outdated fixtures. Updating your décor will attract buyers, whereas old fixtures can discourage buyers.

Landscape: Buyers are attracted to a well manicured, clean, and bright colorful front yard and back yard. Sweep up your patio and deck and decorate with potted plants and flowers. Trim up your trees and bushes, and toss down a fresh layer of mulch in your flowerbeds.

Last but not least:

Clean the Garage: Believe it or not a clean, organized garage will set off a very good impression to buyers. If your garage has an unfinished wall, then toss up a piece of white board. Install shelves on the walls. Organize the large items in your garage and free up the clutter as much as possible. Lastly, a fresh coat of white paint on the walls will not only make your garage appear to look larger, but will also make it look much cleaner. Buyers are attracted to a large, clean garage.