INVESTING IN YOUR HOME

Original Content by Carl Johnson
Is your home looking like it can use a refresh with some new siding? Wishing you had that finished basement or walk-up attic but wondering if the cost will pay out in the long run? Dreaming of having a pool of your own but the upfront cost seems more than you thought? Do you know that there are finishes and projects you can add to your home which will add to the overall value of your home? This may help you decide to move forward with home projects, both big and small when you know in the long run you get not only use and pleasure out of these upgrades but a monetary value as well! Read below to learn about investing in your home with features and projects that you can really get a lot out of.

When we work with our clients, both for listing a home and looking to buy, we enter a property with an open mind seeing potential to get more out of the home. Can you add built-in storage here, a garage there, even solar panels for efficiency. It is part of our job to share our knowledge with you to help make investments, if needed, in your home that benefit you both financially and in its function.
Below is a list of home projects/additions which may add value to your home when we compare your home to other recent sales:

• Any Built-ins Inside of the Home
  • Storage Shelving
  • Pantry
  • Cabinets
• Solar Panels
• Garage (both attached and detached)
• Pool
• Deck or Patio
• Fireplace
• Porch 
• Upgrading Siding
  • Fiber or Aluminum Siding to Pressed Board or Fiber Cement Boards
• Paving a Gravel Driveway
  • Or putting Gravel down on a Dirt Driveway 
• Addition of a Half or Full Bathroom
• Fencing
  • Adds minimal value, increases interest
• Upgrading Kitchens and Bathrooms
  • Fixtures, Countertops, Cabinets
• Updated Interior and Exterior of Home
  • Paint, Flooring, Decking, Light Fixtures, Hardware
• Finishing a Basement
• Smart Home Features
  • Thermostats, Doorbells, Lighting
• Security Systems
• Age of HVAC
• Age of Roof

As shown on our list above, simple and affordable upgrades from paint color to light fixtures are able to add value, as well as interest, to the property. This is something we are able to assist you in. From popular color trend suggestions to design ideas, we work with some of the best in the industry to help you get the most value from your property. 
Our added value list also shows that larger home upgrades give value back into the property as well. Even if you are not ready to list your home now, it can bring comfort in knowing that a large upgrade to your home, i.e. a pool, a porch, addition of a bathroom, can give you both functionally and usage now and then value added back into your property in the future. Why not do the things to your home you have been thinking about and have the time to enjoy prior to selling?
Not all features add a monetary value to your property. Below we list items that do not add direct price value to your home but they help buyers looking at your property to find value in your home, as these features increase the properties desirability and interest. However they do have assumed value that could directly impact the list price. It really depends upon market conditions at the time of listing and selling your home. 

• Landscaping
  • We can, however, add an allowance for amazing landscaping, which sets it apart from other comparable properties.
• New Appliances
• New Windows
• Move-In Ready Home

These items listed above all work together to help you get your listing price, or even more, when your property stands out from others. A home a buyer can walk inside of and right away see themselves living in it, without having to envision changing anything, is a priceless feature when listing a home. These listed features above help you achieve that!
We like to recommend to our listing clients having their home staged. Statistically speaking a home that is staged gets a 10% higher sale price than those properties that are not professionally staged. CLICK HERE (Staging Your Home - CARL JOHNSON REAL ESTATE)  to read our article on Stage Your Home and how we work with the best of the best to get the most value from your home.

To see work in action CLICK HERE (SOLD: 110 Jennings, Durham Click here for more info - CARL JOHNSON REAL ESTATE) and check out our listing at 110 Jennings. We had a fantastic listing at 110 Jennings which we worked with our great clients who agreed to make the following upgrades to their home: Interior paint, cabinet paint, new decking, new poles, new flooring, landscaping, made it a move-in ready property. The result…. The property sold for the highest price per square foot in the entire neighborhood's history! These updates made the home very desirable and created a bidding war where the property sold of $95,000 OVER asking price! See amazing before and after photos below:
We take pride in our work and love to help our clients get the best value out of their home. Working with you each step of the way from pre listing to sold, our goal is for your clients to love their property. Investing in your home is not only a way to help increase your home's value but is a way to help you make your house a home. 

CLICK HERE (Staging The Outside Of A Listing - CARL JOHNSON REAL ESTATE) to read about how we can help you stage the outside of your home! The opportunities to invest in your home are endless. 

Click here to read about community involvement and helpful tips for real estate.

It is my pleasure to provide you the best service possible. 

I am delighted to help people and provide the level of service they deserve every day. Its an honor to assist my community by volunteering with organizations that give back.