Tag: Kitchen Update

Upgrades that Add the Most Value to Your Home

Posted on by Living Room Realty

In the world of residential real estate, not all home upgrades are created equal. Whether you’re getting your house ready to sell or you’re planning to stay put for a while and want to know which projects to tackle first – this post is for you!

I often talk with my clients about which home upgrades are best for resale value, or provide the best Return on Investment (ROI). This info is relevant for both home buyers and sellers, as savvy buyers want to know which upgrades are worth the most when they’re searching through listings for their next home.

The most effective strategy to find out this information is to reach out to your trusted real estate professional. Experienced Real Estate Agents will use detailed knowledge of your house and the local housing market to personalize their recommendations for the type of home upgrades that will add the most value to your specific home.

Upgrade vs. Update: this blog post concerns Home Upgrades, not updates. The difference for the purpose of this article is fairly important: while updating your home with fresh paint, clean floors and crisp landscaping will help your home sell for top dollar, they generally won’t affect the starting value of your home as much as larger remodeling projects.

For a more general idea of the types of Home Upgrades that give the best return on investment ROI, consider the following:

Exterior projects – according to the Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), improvements to the exterior of the home have consistently ranked highest in terms of Return on Investment for homeowners. Projects that increase your home’s curb appeal and add value include: garage and front door replacement as well as new siding and windows.

Modest Kitchen Remodel – the key here is to bring the kitchen up to a standard that MOST buyers will appreciate, without going overboard. The reason is fairly straightforward: not every buyer has the same aesthetic as you. Make the kitchen “workable” for most buyers and let them do their own reimagining after they purchase it from you!

Systems Upgrades – upgrades to the systems of the home (including adding or installing new HVAC, overhauling old plumbing and electrical) are less exciting, but I always point these out to my buyers. In the Portland Metro Area, you’ll see homes listed with the Home Energy Score (HES) which helps buyers estimate the monthly utility costs of the home. Energy efficient upgrades should improve the HES score of your home. While the ROI might not be as high for these upgrades, they can provide immediate benefits to you as the homeowner AND should appeal to buyers when you decide to sell.

Structural Upgrades – the structure of the home will sometimes need to be upgraded and can help with resale value. In the rainy Pacific NW, a new tear-off roof, water drainage system and/or seismic upgrades are worth a lot to my buyers! These upgrades are hard to quantify in terms of ROI, but the peace of mind these upgrades provide can be worth their high price tag.

ADU/Additional Structures –  adding an additional structure or creating a legal ADU in your home can provide additional income opportunities to you as a homeowner, and in some cases can be used to help a buyer qualify for the loan to purchase your home. If you’re considering this type of home upgrade, be prepared to do your homework by researching your local laws and guidelines for building permits, finding multiple bids for construction costs and be sure to seek advice from your Real Estate Agent throughout the process.

Disclaimer – while the information in this post is meant to be helpful to homeowners, these are mostly my opinions. Ultimately, these opinions can’t be applied to every home in every situation, so it’s best to consult with a Real Estate professional when you’re ready to pick up the sledgehammer!

 

Sources:

https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2022/

Sophisticated Cape Cod with Updates Galore

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Just Listed: 9029 N Van Houten Ave

Offered at $565,000

9029 N Van Houten Ave, Portland OR 97203

3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2698 SF | MLS# 21229005 | Taxes: $4,594

OPEN HOUSE:  Saturday  7/17 1pm-3pm 

TAKE THE VIDEO TOUR HERE

Come see for yourself just how much space, charm and value this house has to offer! With updates galore and a spacious yard, you’re going to fall in love with this sophisticated home!

As you enter, you are greeted by an inviting living room featuring hardwood floors and a big picture window to let the sunshine in.  

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Flowing nicely from the living room into a completely remodeled kitchen, you’ll find stainless steel appliances, gas range, quartz counters, classic subway tile and plenty of storage/counter space for the home chef. The open dining area is perfectly situated providing a lovely view of the backyard. Convenient access to backyard off kitchen and dining room.

As you make your way around, you’re going to love the versatility and spaciousness this home offers! The layout of the home is ideal, offering 2 bedrooms and one full bathroom on the main level.

Winding your way upstairs you’ll find the third sizable bedroom with vaulted ceilings. From there, a separate staircase takes you even further up to the unfinished attic room which is ready for the final details! It has great ceiling height, fresh insulation and a new egress window. This special space is just waiting to become whatever you dream it to be!

Making your way to the basement, you’ll find a clean and spacious partially finished, full basement with great ceiling height!  3 bonus rooms plus one more full bath and a big laundry room! These bonus spaces could easily be imagined as a media room, home office, home school room, art room or even another bedroom… really, the possibilities are endless!

The backyard is a dream! Offering beautiful flowering shrubs, established landscaping, a fuji apple tree, strawberries and marionberries. The yard is fully fenced for privacy which makes this a delightful private space for entertaining or enjoying on your own. Also included in the backyard is a walk-in shed with shelving, window, recently replaced roof and a high ceiling.

Features include:  Recently replaced roof and exterior paint plus updated double pane windows, electrical panel, water heater, plumbing in home & sewer line.

Located on a quiet, tree lined street in an ideal Portsmouth location close to New Seasons, restaurants and parks!

Pro Tip: How to Sell Your Home in Time for Peak Market Prices

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

The Portland real estate market is kicking into full gear as hopeful buyers continue to drive demand. With the busy season continuing through the spring and summer months, there is still enough time for prospective sellers to market their homes in time for the sector’s top-performing weeks. If you’re hoping to make a move this summer, these tips will help you secure more profits from your investment.

Call in the Experts

Before diving in on repair and remodeling projects, contact Aryne + Dulcinea to guide you through the process.

– They have experience in both buying and selling.

– They are tech savvy and up-to-date on the latest MLS systems and listing websites.

– Aryne + Dulcinea have connections to trustworthy inspectors and contractors.

Aryne + Dulcinea will be your negotiators, advocates and gurus, with the experience and soft skills to best serve you.

To Remodel, or Not to Remodel?

Many sellers debate the pros and cons of remodeling prior to selling their home. While putting in elbow grease will increase the value of your property, smaller projects are generally a more secure investment, as they typically require less cash and yield higher returns. Before tearing down walls and remodeling your living spaces, take on these weekend DIY projects to increase your homes desirability.

Curb Appeal: Creating a welcoming exterior should be at the top of your to-do list. The outside of your home is prominently displayed across real estate sites and will be doing a lot of the heavy-lifting when it comes to getting buyers to view the property. First impressions are critical, so clear out your yard and add in some landscaping to warm things up. To get even more out of your home’s façade, consider modernizing your front door and any visible garage doors.

Paint & Flooring: Another key influencer in buyer perception is the appearance of your floors and walls. Keep in mind that potential buyers want to visualize their future in your space. Freshly painted walls and clean floors play a critical role in this process, as scuffs and stains distract from their internal narrative. In our 15 years of combined experience, we’ve never come across a property which couldn’t benefit from a fresh coat of paint and restored flooring!

Kitchen Updates: It’s been said that in selling your home, you’re actually selling your kitchen. Many prospective buyers prioritize a home’s kitchen in their decision to put in an offer, making it one of the most important areas of your home to focus on. Of course, no hopeful seller should go above their means to perform a large-scale remodel project in the hopes of a big payout. Instead, a few minor tweaks such as painted cabinets with modern hardware, new lighting fixtures, laminate floors, or selected appliance upgrades can create a ‘WOW’ effect without busting your budget. In fact, adding even one high-end appliance has shown to improve overall perception of the kitchen, as it also raises the perceived value of the remaining appliances.

With a few weekend DIY projects and the consultation of Aryne + Dulcinea, you can have your house on the market just in time for peak-season prices. To learn more about selling homes contact us today!

About Us:
Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.