portland real estate agent
Top 5 Money-Making Home-Remodeling Tips
June 11, 2010 by Rob LeRoy · Leave a Comment
For most of us, our home is probably one of the biggest investments we’ll ever make. In the past, it was possible to sit back casually and watch our equity grow with little or no effort. These days equity is not given, it must be earned. We can no longer count on the market and Buyer demand to propel our homes toward higher values. It is time to get proactive. It is time for home improvements!
Depending on the age, size, and location of your home, there may be any number of potential improvements. However, there are a few upgrades that will almost certainly increase the value of any home. Remember, most home-buyers are looking for a home they can move into quickly and easily. They don’t want to deal with the hassle of remodeling…so if your house is outdated or missing key features, they’re likely to keep looking. As a homeowner, you have the opportunity to make those key changes at your own pace, so that the potential future buyer won’t have to. With that in mind, here are the Top 5 home improvement areas you’ll want to focus on.
1. The Kitchen: The FIRST thing buyers look for in a house is a great kitchen. Your kitchen may not necessarily make you, but it can definitely break you. Wood paneling, wallpaper and brown appliances will induce projectile vomiting from today’s buyers. Seriously…I’ve seen it happen. Start with upgrading appliances, then move on to walls, cabinets and counters. Don’t worry about moving walls around unless you have a large budget and you’re sure it makes sense relative to the potential sale price down the road.
2. Deck/Patio space: Outdoor living and entertaining space is a big priority for many buyers. If you have a deck or patio already, make sure it looks its best. If you don’t, give it some serious consideration. Even something as simple and inexpensive as rock or concrete pavers can make a huge difference.
3. Siding Replacement: While not a particularly exciting project, siding is a big deal, especially if you’ve got worn out vinyl or damaged wood siding. Try upgrading to a cement fiber product. It comes pre-painted and lasts longer than anything else. Buyers will see that your home has the mark of quality and credibility before they even open the front door.
4. Window Replacement: Windows are easily taken for granted…by owners. Buyers will notice if they are outdated, inefficient, or damaged.
5. Landscaping: Do not underestimate the value of curb-appeal. If your home doesn’t look good from the street, many buyers will never even see the inside. A tastefully designed yard, even a modest one, will go a long way toward making a good first impression. Lose the garden gnomes…I know, I know, I love them, too…but not everybody has such good taste.
Here’s a crucial tip: When considering remodels from an investment perspective, you would be wise to consult a local real estate professional who knows your market. You DO NOT want to go overboard on expenditures if your market doesn’t support a commensurate price increase.
Thanks for reading! Please leave comments or suggestions below, e-mail me at rob.leroy@exprealty.com, or call me at 206.883.6668 …and yes, you CAN hire me as your real estate agent! If you’re on Facebook, you can join my fan page for daily updates by clicking the banner below.
Originally published by Rob LeRoy on www.theRealEstateNovelist.com
portland real estate agent
Agent Spotlight: Rich Peralta
April 2, 2010 by Rich Peralta · 4 Comments
Some background on Rich Peralta:
Exuberant father, eXp Realty agent and big fan of life in Portland.
- I love dogs. One of the many reasons I chose to live in Portland was its evident community affinity for dogs and dog-people. Around here, you can take your dogs just about anywhere…not just parks. Quite a few local shops and restaurants are also happy to have them. They don’t necessarily let them sit right at the table (usually under)…but still.
- I have a daughter who is amazing and beautiful in every way…like all daughters. I’m not saying she’s better or cuter than yours, but she is. See?
- I love real, down to Earth people. Though I tend to think of myself as a pretty simple guy, but I can always find happiness in the thought that I am a real person, always trying to better myself. I think that’s really what sets Portland apart from so much of the world- The people. Everywhere you go in the Portland area there are kind, interesting and genuine people who you can actually stop and have conversations with. It’s the coolest thing… They’re all just so nice!
- I love working in real estate. When I first moved to Portland, my wife and I tried to do it all by ourselves. We searched for homes and neighborhood information on the internet…we bounced from site to site, trying to figure out where to look. It was a lot of work. That’s why, when I got into the business I decided to make it my goal to simplify the buying process as much as possible, especially for prospective buyers relocating from other areas. Now, with the help of eXp Realty’s fantastic web presence, I have the ability to really make a difference for people. I pride myself on being able to turn an otherwise stressful, time-consuming ordeal into a fun, exciting and streamlined process that my clients can actually enjoy, rather than fear.
- Oh…one more thing. I love to play dodgeball. I bet you don’t know any other real estate agents who will tell you that!
