Curious how the local real estate market fared last year? The overarching theme of 2023 was extremely low inventory (number of homes for sale) and high interest rates (reaching a peak around 8%). To see the trends throughout Eastern Massachusetts for 2023, read the full report by clicking the link bit.ly/2023marketreport
Read MoreThey say a picture’s worth a thousand words, but when it comes to buying and selling real estate, it could be worth millions of dollars.
Read MoreStaging a room changes how buyers interact with the space and gives them an emotional connection to the home.
Read MoreJanuary is a great month to organize your home. Organized spaces help the household run smoother and can actually have health benefits such as lowering stress.
Read MoreNew Year, New Goals.
Like many people at this time of year, I am focusing on my goals for the year ahead, adding new resolutions and refreshing old ones.
Read MoreIn preparing your home for sale, one of the highest return project is painting. Whether it’s the interior or exterior, certain colors resonate better with buyers and can have positive results. Read on to learn more, and always feel free to reach out to me for a specific color suggestion.
Read MoreIf you’re planning a kitchen redesign, here are the latest trends to consider. From countertops to flooring to colors and beyond, see what styles are hot this year in kitchen design.
Read MoreLooking for ways to promote wellness in home design? See what these experts have to say.
Read MoreGet planning now to keep your 2018 home projects on schedule and free from stress!
Read MoreIs your home in need of some updating? Did you just receive a bonus check or a tax refund from the IRS and are not sure how to use the money as best as possible? Investing money into your home with select home improvement projects can have a significant impact on your home’s value. Here is a list of enhancement projects according to research teams from both the National Association of Realtors and Realtor Magazine that include some of the highest returns on your investment.
Front Door – Replacing a boring or beat up front door with an architecturally stimulating one can enhance your home’s curb appeal and also increase energy efficiency and safety. A new steel entry door on average costs just over $1,100 but has a ROI of over 96%.
Garage Door – Continuing on the theme of exterior doors, replacing those old garage doors with modern ones costs on average about $1,500 and has an ROI of over 83%. A garage is sought after by many buyers and has a big impact on appearance making for a great investment.
Windows – Your home’s exterior appearance would not be complete without the importance of quality, functioning windows. New, energy efficient windows can cut down on your energy costs and potentially earn you tax credits with select models. Replacing windows with wood replacements has a 79.3% ROI while vinyl replacements are at 78.7%.
Deck – Decks are ideal for outdoor enjoyment and can provide a great space to entertain. A 16 foot by 20 foot deck will cost on average about $9,500 but you will gain an 87.4% return on it after resale. Already have a deck? Consider giving it a facelift with a fresh coat of paint or stain, adding a bench or screening.
Add a Bedroom – An additional bedroom can add tremendous value to your home. Building out an attic into a 15 foot by 15 foot bedroom with a 5 by 7 bathroom with shower does cost you close to $50,000, however, you can expect an 84% ROI on the project.
Update Your Kitchen – Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in any home. Fortunately, you don’t have to gut your kitchen down to the studs to make add value. Consider keeping your existing cabinets but replace the doors and drawers. Swap out those older appliances with some new energy models along with a new sink and countertops and you will have made a big improvement for significantly less than a full remodel. This type of mid-range remodel can yield an estimated 82% ROI.
Interested in another great financial move but don’t want to take on a project? Make one extra mortgage payment per year and apply this to your mortgage principal. This can reduce your overall debt and brings the lifespan of a 30 year mortgage down to 22 years.
