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Posts Tagged ‘realestate’

Helpful Advice on Improving Your Home The Correct Way

August 29th, 2009 No comments

Everyone knows that doing some home improvements around the house is probably the easiest way to add value. We do home improvements for many reasons: space needs, safety, or just to stamp our own mark. If you are thinking of doing renovations with resale value in mind the following may help you not lose money.

Something that a number of renovators don’t think about when planning their home improvement is the simple maxim that what you do should keep with the style of the neighborhood. If your neighborhood is predominantly three bedroom period homes, the master plan to add a glass and chrome two storey sunroom, the return may not match the cost.

It pays to evaluate seriously it benefits of doing any significant home improvements on newer homes. The return on refurbishing a bathroom in a home that is seven years old will be unlikely to cover its costs. But the impact of the same refurbishment in a bathroom that is twenty years old should be more obvious.

Think about the general style of your home and make sure renovations are in harmony with this style. New buyers might not be as excited with a Jacuzzi added to a colonial home as the cost suggests. This same rule applies to spending large amounts in one area of the house if the rest also needs a remodeling job.

As well as considering the style of any renovation you might make, the total spend is also a critical factor. If your house is worth $100, 000 and you spend $400, 0000 on upgrading it, it is unlikely you will automatically recoup this. It would be even harder if the average price for the rest of the street was also $100, 000.

For personal convictions you may choose to install expensive eco appliances and fittings. Don’t bank on these upping the value of your home. Just be happy you are helping the planet – that will be your reward.

And the last area which you need to consider regarding increasing the value of your home and its resale value is your personal taste when decorating. Re-decorating is an easy way to ad value to your home. However if your personal style doesn’t quite match the mainstream, think carefully before spending. It may be better to choose a neutral statement with future resale in mind. However this is one area new buyers often build into their purchasing decision expecting to put their mark on the new home.

There is a lot of money to be made from good home improvement, just be aware of the big picture of any decision you make.

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Top Questions to Ask When Buying a Newly Built Home

August 14th, 2009 No comments

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments youll make in your life. It can be a daunting task, with so many steps in the process and so many questions to ask. If you are considering buying a new construction home, there are specific considerations to take into account. Before making an offer on a newly built house, make sure you make the following inquiries of the homebuilder.

The Home

What options or upgrades are available? If the home you toured was a shell home or a model home, it was likely built without a specific buyer in mind. By asking what types of customization options the builder is willing to offer, you can end up with a new home that is just right for you and your family.

What type of foundation is the home built upon? Your homes foundation is one of the most important elements of the property, as it will carry the entire load of the structure. There are three basic types of foundations available for new homes. These types of foundations include:

- Basement – Crawl space – Slab

Make sure the type of foundation used in the new property is appropriate to the local conditions and the local building tradition.

How thick are the walls? Wall thickness in new homes can be either 2×6 or 2×8. Some builders prefer double wall construction. Thicker walls mean better insulation from the outside elements, which in turn reduces what you spend on heating and cooling.

Does the property have rain gutters? It may seem like a silly question, but you would be surprised. Make sure you find out if the gutters (if they are included) are seamless.

What appliances are included? Find out if you will need to buy a refrigerator, oven/range, dishwasher or washer and dryer, as this will add to your costs if not included.

The Builder How long has the builder been building homes in your area?

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