5 Inexpensive Home Improvement Tips To Improve Your Homes Value

20230526051448_6470404819b05.webp

Depending on your home's value, your market and comps in your neighborhood, you could consider making renovations in your home before listing. In a place like New York, however, where houses are being snapped up fast and prices are over the roof, renovating your house for sale might be a crazy idea. But in suburbs with high inventory, your house needs to measure up.

 

When selling, you wouldn't be looking through the same eyeglasses as a new homeowner. Your calculations and priorities will be much different. The most important thing when you have to consider value is return on investment. What renovations will make my house sell fast and at the same time give good return on investment? Before you embark on gutting your circa 1990 kitchen, the first thing you might need to do is consult an experienced realtor who knows what works best in your particular neighborhood.

 

You might find out that minor cosmetic upgrades will get more buyers through the door. And yea, the door is important. Instead of spending money on pricey renovations like adding a deck or basement revamp, Remodeling magazine’s 2015 Cost vs. Value Report says that replacing your existing front door with a new steel door will net you a 101.8% ROI for a minimal replacement cost of $1,230. Knowing which areas to spend on will help save you a lot of money when making renovations. Let's look at five low-cost ways to increase your home's value.

 

        Inexpensive Home Improvement Tips to Improve Your Home’s Value

 

1. Consider curb appeal. Nothing says 'welcome to this lovely house' to a prospective buyer as a nicely mowed lawn, a few shrubs here and there and a well-swept walkway. The first impression buyers have as they drive to your home is truly important. So, it's necessary you set the stage right. Hiring a good landscaper will be worth the money. Not only will your home appeal to prospective buyers, your neighbor would also love the effort.

 

2. Have a cohesive kitchen. Kitchen plays a big role in home improvement. Many Realtors call it the heart of the home. Indeed it is; since an average American homeowner spends at least 37 minutes daily in the kitchen. Sprucing up your kitchen demands that you create the impression of a clean and updated kitchen. One way to achieve this impression is creating cohesiveness, especially with color. Mix and match kitchens are not the best. If your kitchen appliances don't match, consider ordering new doors, e.g new cabinet doors or face panels for them.

 

3. Work on your bathroom. Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are important to potential home buyers. You can make a difference in your bathroom at a low cost by adding new toilet seat and a pedestal sink. These are also pretty easy for homeowners to install on their own. One thing you may not be able to do on your own but which will add value to your bathroom is replacing an old, discolored, bathroom floor with vinyl tiles. Bright, energy efficient lighting will also improve your bathroom's appeal.

 

4. Update closets. Cramped storage spaces are not attractive to potential buyers. You can step up your storage by adding a do-it-yourself wire and laminate system to bedrooms and pantries.

 

5. Check the mechanics. Having a minor inspection and working on existing faults in your home like faulty outlets, loose wires and water leaks give the impression that someone has really taken care of the home.

 

 

 

Previous Post

Who Else Wants to Move Abroad? 5 Tips for Moving Abroad

Next Post

3 Types of Content Real Estate Agents should consistently Blog About

Related Posts

20230526052746_6470435286263.webp

3 Tips to Secure Financing for Foreign Property as a Boomerang Home Buyer in the US

  • 07, July 2023

Buyers with a foreclosure history have more to prove to the banks; hence getting loans might be tough. Below tips will help them get through the hurdles and secure financing for foreign property investment.

Are banks scared to give loans to boomerang buyers?

Applying for a loan after a foreclosure, if you're a property buyer in the US, is not a piece of cake. The lender wants to be sure of one thing: You are able to pay the loan and have learnt from your mistakes. If you're planning to buy a foreign property, getting financing becomes harder. If you do get financing, you might be immersed in a lot of paperwork.

Banks will want you to prove your income. They will look closely at your bill payment records after the foreclosure (hence the need to rebuild your credit). If you have a traditional job for which you receive a W-2 form, your lender will want to see it and verify your income with your employer. Boomerang buyers (property buyers with a foreclosure history) who work several part time jobs or are self-employed will face more scrutiny. They will have to show their income with several years of tax returns and other documents.

Yes, you might have a lot to prove to the bank when applying for mortgage as a boomerang buyer. This is why Realtor.com recommends including a letter in your mortgage application that explains the reason for foreclosure.

What Most Foreign Banks Require Before Giving Mortgage

Requirements for mortgages will vary from country to country as each country flaunt different taxation structures. Some countries will require you to open a bank account, get a tax identification number or get approval from Government housing agencies before you'd be allowed to buy a home.

You need to be conversant with the taxes that apply in your destination country. For example, foreign property buyers in Spain have to pay a wealth tax (patrimono in Spanish). Countries like South Africa also mandate a building insurance for foreign buyers.

The important thing when applying for a mortgage either as a buyer with foreclosure history or not is your ability to document everything. Mortgage has come a long way from the crisis periods and banks are more proactive. They want to verify any financial information provided.

 

 

Tips To Secure Financing for Foreign Property Investment after Foreclosure

Having a foreclosure history shouldn’t stop you from your dream of owning property abroad, here are three tips to get financing as a boomerang buyer.

1. Get equity from your US home.

Your friendliest partner will always be your property of the United States. You could get a second mortgage with 2.8% APR, only a fraction of what you will pay overseas

2. Home Collateral.

If you own a property in the United States, lenders in some countries, particularly international banks, will allow you to put that into collateral. You will have to establish that the property is free from liens. A lien will be dissuasive to the approval of your mortgage application.

3. Focus on International Banks.

When you begin to explore your financing options abroad, you must first visit the branches of foreign banks in the area where you are buying. If the same bank operates in the United States, they will have a better understanding and access to the facts related to your financial situation back home. You can even visit their branches in the United States to know your options.

These options would be effective if you work on your credit. You need to improve your credit rating when applying for a mortgage in the United States after foreclosure. The same is true anywhere in the world.

By Bebuzee Admin Read More
20230526051353_6470401111146.webp

3 Types of Content Real Estate Agents should consistently Blog About

  • 02, September 2023

The most important aspect of agent-client relationship is communication. A house seller or buyer can find it stressful dealing with an agent or buyer who is not a good communicator. An agent that stays in constant contact with clients and answers their questions proves his or her proactivity.

 

Yes you need to let buyers and sellers know where they stand quickly so they can move on to another property or potential buyer. Real estate is time sensitive. Buyers and sellers need the right information and need it fast. Hence, one of the qualities of a good agent is the ability to give the right information to the right kind of buyer at the right time. What an experienced agent might deem insignificant information might be important information to clients who are new to the real estate game. Putting the right information in front of clients communicate that you're an agent who puts clients first.

 

It's the responsibility of a good agent to sort out what clients need to know and provide this information. Hence it's important that an agent has a well updated website complete with valuable information. You don't really need to pressure your clients with too much information. Just the right information will do. Here are five content types that real estate buyers and sellers find valuable.

 

REAL ESTATE CONTENT TYPES THAT WORK

 

When correctly done, real estate content marketing can be a game changer for your real estate business. You have the chance to attract thousands of new leads through well-researched, helpful content. This is why effective real estate bloggers put a lot of plan and effort into creating the right content for their real estate website. Here are some of the real estate content types you should be posting for your real estate business.

 

1. Market Reports. Writing a recap of real estate activity in your community for the month shows you as a knowledgeable real estate agent in the community. Buyers and sellers want to be informed about the real estate market in their area of residence. Even if they aren't going to take action immediately, when you post fact-based market reports, they know whom to approach for questions. Also, Google ranks market reports high. Since few realtors are posting them, your posts have less competition.

 

2. Local Community Information. A local community guide includes details about a neighborhood such as detailed information about the local real estate market, local economy, housing and population, local school information, parks and restaurants and attractions. This type of content is important because it increases your real estate website's SEO value and helps the area residents see that you have strong knowledge of the community.

 

3. Home buyer and seller tips. Both buyers and sellers have a lot of questions on their minds about real estate. Providing helpful information on your site can be timely and help you gain more leads. However, when covering the questions, your visitors would find it much more helpful if you cover the topic in 'extreme' detail and they'll love you for it.

 

Cold calling for sale by owners or door knocking is old school. A much better way of gaining trust and new leads is through helpful content.  When you consistently post content that real estate buyers and sellers love, you'll start reaping the benefits of real estate content marketing.

 

 

By Bebuzee Admin Read More
20230526050150_64703d3e3d1f7.webp

Housing Market Forecast 2024 & 2025: Predictions for Next 5 Years

  • 09, January 2023

As we move into 2024 and 2025, the housing market is likely to see some significant changes. After a tumultuous couple of years, there is some optimism about the future of the housing market. However, there are also concerns about rising interest rates, inflation, and a potential housing bubble. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Housing Market Forecast 2024 & 2025 and make some predictions about what we can expect over the next five years.

Introduction

The housing market has been on a wild ride over the past few years. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden and severe downturn in the market. However, the housing market has rebounded strongly in 2021, with record-high prices and a surge in demand for homes. With the economy showing signs of recovery and interest rates at historic lows, many experts believe that the housing market will continue to grow in the coming years.

Housing Market Forecast 2024 & 2025: Predictions for Next 5 Years

Increased demand for affordable housing

One of the biggest trends in the housing market over the next five years is likely to be an increased demand for affordable housing. With home prices at all-time highs and many people struggling to afford homes, there is a growing need for more affordable options. This could lead to an increase in the construction of smaller, more affordable homes, as well as a rise in the popularity of alternative housing options like tiny homes and mobile homes.

Continued growth in suburban areas

Another trend that is likely to continue over the next five years is the growth of suburban areas. Many people are looking to move out of crowded cities and into quieter, more spacious areas. This has led to a surge in demand for homes in suburban areas, and this trend is likely to continue in the coming years.

Rising interest rates

One concern for the housing market over the next five years is rising interest rates. While interest rates are currently at historic lows, they are expected to rise in the coming years as the economy recovers. This could lead to a slowdown in the housing market and make it more difficult for some people to afford homes.

Potential housing bubble

Another concern for the housing market is the possibility of a housing bubble. With home prices at record highs and demand outstripping supply, some experts are worried that the market may be overinflated. If this is the case, a correction could be on the horizon, which could lead to a significant downturn in the housing market.

Increased focus on sustainability

As concerns about climate change grow, there is likely to be an increased focus on sustainability in the housing market. This could lead to an increase in the construction of eco-friendly homes and the retrofitting of existing homes to make them more sustainable. Additionally, there may be an increase in the popularity of alternative housing options like tiny homes and shipping container homes, which are often designed with sustainability in mind.

Growing popularity of smart homes

Smart home technology has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue over the next five years. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the increasing availability of smart home devices, more and more people are expected to embrace this technology in their homes.

 

FAQs

What will happen to home prices over the next five years?

It's difficult to predict exactly what will happen to home prices over the next five years. However, many experts believe that prices will continue to rise, although at a slower pace than we have seen in recent years. Rising interest rates and concerns about a housing bubble could lead to a slowdown in the market

By Bebuzee Admin Read More