Easy Home Improvements that boost home values

It is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the SPRING buying season, for that reason many home owners will be making that decision now and wanting to bump their value with some easy home improvements. But, where do you begin and what improvements really boost the return on your investment into your pocket? Well, here you go.

Some easy ways to boost the value of homes by 12% or more according to FloridaRealtor.org is to invest in a few pre-listing repairs. For example, based on a median home price at $205,000. the potential gain is $24,500. Now, that seems worth your time and attention.

Not that we are all listening, let’s see what all this entails in order to gain the most return on investment that you desire.
Some of the fixes that are ranked as most important are also encouraged by our expert Southern Real Estate Sales Agents. Our agents share their expert advise and this is why we schedule listing appointments at your home. Our Agents will advise you with specific details to help your selling process in order to expedite the sale of property.

#1 DECLUTTER will be at the top of the list. The cost is 0 if you do it and have the entire family chip in. This activity alone will produce a 3-5% return and it is a must do! When potential buyers preview your home that you are SELLING, they truly want to be able to see themselves living there. You have to allow them to visualize themselves there. You can help achieve that by storing some of the family pics and personal items that you cherish in Tupperware. This also helps you start the process of moving. Two birds with one stone as they say!

#2 KITCHEN is King! The kitchen was rated as the most important to have in top shape before selling. Focus on the minor repairs that center on the kitchens function should be first. Fix leaky faucets, loose light fixtures and counter top cleanliness. Not only washed up, but putting away the large kitchen

appliances that hide all the counter space. Put those away or store those in a Tupperware in the garage. Then, enhancements are next. Painting walls, updating cabinet hardware and adding new curtains or light fixtures and an organized pantry shows care and all the space that is available.

#3 BATHROOM freshness is next! This 2-3% return is simple and an easy improvement with fresh caulking of the shower and tub and floor seams. Updating fixtures and fresh paint will brighten the space. Updating the mirror and lighting can also give a bigger return.

#4 PAINT makes a big impact as the buyer thinks of it as one less step that they would have to do and it shows good overall maintenance of the home. Interior painting is an important part of bringing about a sale of the home. But, as the seller, you likely don’t need to paint the entire home – a refresh of the main rooms curbs big costs in painting the entire interior. Three prime rooms are the kitchen, living room and bathrooms. Be sure to select a neutral tones. Paint with whites or off-whites, grays or beiges as studies show that this helps the buyer focus on the home’s features. Bright colors tend to distract buyers and prompt in immediate cost to them to update.

#5 Lastly, CURB APPEAL and the WELCOMING feeling. With a 2-5% return, concentrate on basic maintenance with lawn care, trimming of shrubs and adding fresh mulch. A good way to see the home with different eyes, is to go stand across the street and look at the home from your neighbors perspective. This always shows you things that you may not have seen before and see if the change is cost effective to you. Additionally, a good pressure washing will instantly brighten your home and increase the “welcome home” feeling. A new mat at the front door with a fresh flower invites your new guests or buyers and this has the lasting effect on them as they are more then likely looking at several homes in one day. Be the stand out – in a good way! This helps you go from FOR SALE to UNDER CONTRACT to CLOSED! If you are thinking of selling, Southern Real Estate Sales would love to help you get it done.

CALL | TEXT | EMAIL to find out what your home is worth today! 850.492.1148 FORSALEONTHEGULFCOAST.COM    [email protected].

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

HABF

If you own a home in Foley or will be shopping real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast this May, be sure to stop in to the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival! Now in its’ eleventh year, this is a favorite festival for visitors and locals alike.

Stop in to the festival either Friday or Saturday evening beginning May 1, 2015 to head up, up and away – well, almost. Grab a bird’s eye view yourself or simple watch as the multitude of hot air balloons treat festival goers to tethered rides 25 feet in the air. There are a limited number of rides available so purchase yours early!

In addition to the tethered rides and aerial demonstrations that will take place all weekend, there will also be a wonderful carnival for adults and kids to enjoy. The weekend also features live entertainment each afternoon, as well as arts, crafts, delicious food and a petting zoo. Oh, and since it is crawfish season here on the Gulf Coast, you can also head over to the boil to purchase a plate of yummy crawfish! See you at the festival grounds near the Tanger Outlets the first weekend of May.

Attend the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Fest

Hot Air Balloon Festival

Looking for a fun, different way to celebrate Father’s Day now that you have purchased real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast? Make the short drive to Foley, Alabama and attend the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The hot air balloon event on the Gulf Coast was named as one of the top free festivals by Parade Magazine and is a one-of-a-kind experience that your whole family will love. The festival is held every Father’s Day weekend and will take place June 13 and 14 this year.

Free to attend, the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley is family-friendly and showcases more than 50 hot air balloons. The balloonists arrive on Friday evening to the Foley Sports Park by air during the very special sunset glow demonstration, a fantastic vision that you won’t want to miss seeing. The remainder of the festival features competition flights, as well as arts & crafts booths, activities for the kids, food and live entertainment.