Thursday, June 29, 2023

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

The Benefits of Pre-Sale Home Updates and Top 4 Projects with the Best ROI

Hello there! It’s well-known that making just a few updates and improvements to your home can drastically enhance its value, potentially helping it sell faster and at a better price. Not all updates are created equal, though, so we did some homework for you and compiled our top five home improvement projects with the greatest ROI – some may surprise you! Here’s a quick video explaining why you should go ahead and do some updating before listing:

 

 

Benefits of Home Updates Before Selling

Let’s consider the advantages of updating your house before placing that “For Sale” sign on the lawn. First, trying to modernize can act like a magnet for potential buyers who visit. Imagine walking into your house to find it looking like something out of the 80s versus a modern space with sleek modern vibes? Yeah, me too! Not only are aesthetic updates attractive, they can also significantly raise it’s value. Investment in home improvements doesn’t amount to wasted money; instead, it can become an even more significant return when selling. And updating your house may even speed up the sale process – seemingly too good to be true? Not really; plenty of stories exist about homes that underwent quick makeovers, leading to them selling quickly. So giving your property some TLC before selling could really pay off!

Understanding ROI in Home Improvement Projects

Let’s first ensure we’re clear on the Return On Investment (ROI) concept. Simply put, ROI refers to what a return will look like from what was invested. A real estate appraisal is all about adding the greatest possible value with home improvements that exceed what they cost you. There’s no magic formula for what will yield the greatest return on investment – it depends on various factors, like your home’s current state, housing market conditions and trends in home design. But don’t let that discourage you – with careful planning and an informed approach, you can select updates that provide maximum return while leaving you smiling all the way back home – all it takes is forethought and selecting upgrades that offer the greatest value to maximize return on investment!

Here Are Four Home Improvement Projects with the Highest ROI

Without further ado, here are four projects with the most significant return on investment!

Minor Kitchen Remodel

  • Let’s break down what a minor kitchen remodel entails. No, you don’t need to rip everything out and start from scratch; instead, consider more limited changes like painting cabinets with fresh coats of paint, switching out hardware for upgraded models, or upgrading countertops or appliances to energy-saving versions – giving what’s already there some TLC is far less of a headache. At the same time, your wallet won’t feel it quite so strongly!
  • And what’s truly amazing? Kitchen refreshes can pay for themselves handsomely when selling the property; potential home buyers prioritize having a modern-looking kitchen when making their decisions, often paying extra to acquire one that’s move-in ready. So while you might just think it would be nice to finally replace that avocado-green fridge, these projects actually increase your odds of realizing more when it’s time to sell – creating an all-win scenario!

Bathroom Update

  • Now let’s move on to updating the bathroom. When people visit in the morning and at night, people want their space to be pleasant! Potential improvements include fresh paint or new fixtures such as modern faucets or showerheads, replacing outdated lighting with more contemporary options and possibly upgrading vanity furniture as well. And for something really adventurous, try tiling either the floor or shower area; these changes don’t need to break the bank but can significantly elevate your bathroom!
  • Return On Investment of Bathroom Updates can be Remarkable! It’s clear: Everyone appreciates a beautiful, modern bathroom! An upgraded space can draw buyers in quickly, leading to higher selling prices for your home and creating even minor bathroom updates as a worthy investment – as is often said, kitchens and bathrooms sell houses!

Exterior Improvements (Siding, Paint & Landscaping)

  • Let’s step outside for a moment and discuss external home improvements. Your curb appeal is often the first thing buyers see, so making improvements that increase it is absolutely crucial to creating a welcoming space that attracts buyers. You can do plenty to give it that pop, from painting over chipped surfaces or replacing worn-out siding to power washing off grime off and adding fresh flowers. Don’t forget about landscaping either: well-manicured gardens, new mulch and tidy lawns make a significant impactful statement about what buyers see first when viewing properties; while giving your front door some TLC can create instantaneous appeal and draw them in with its welcoming personality and appeal – perfect when making first impressions count when potential buyers first see it.
  • External improvements can make a remarkable impactful on home value and ROI. Imagine this: when buyers pull up to your house, its exterior serves as their first impression and, if it appeals to them, could open doors to more interested buyers and potentially a quicker sale at a higher sales price. Making the exterior of your house more inviting from day one won’t just increase interest; investing in making it more appealing can mean a faster sale as well.

Adding a Home Office

  • Our work environment has undergone dramatic change, and now having a home office is less of a luxury and more of an essential. More people than ever work remotely and need somewhere dedicated for focus and Zoom calls; even small nooks with good lighting will do. It is crucial to create an atmosphere where folks can visualize themselves delivering big presentations right from their homes!
  • Now let’s consider numbers. Adding a home office may seem like a significant undertaking, but it could pay dividends when selling your house. As remote work has become more widespread, homes with office spaces have become coveted properties, often selling for more than those without. Yes, investing money to create an effective work-from-home space might require spending some cash up front, but with demand outpacing supply, you might see an excellent return when selling! It is an investment worth taking seriously!

Summing It Up

Let’s bring this discussion full circle now. We have discussed how making key upgrades before listing your home can draw in more prospective buyers, raise your selling price, and hasten its sale process. Certain projects can significantly boost your return on investment (ROI) from cosmetic updates to creating an introspective home office space. But remember: smart decisions with regard to upgrades will yield maximum return for your dollar spent. Before you tear out tile or start choosing paint colors, take a moment to consider which upgrades will add the most value to your home. With some careful planning and smart upgrades in place, your next real estate transaction could become a smashing success! Here’s to making that real estate transaction successful and profitable!

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Cobb County or the Metro Atlanta area, or just have questions – get in touch! You can reach us at (404) 410-6465 or visit CompleteRealtyTeam.com to learn more or contact us by email.



Original post here: The Benefits of Pre-Sale Home Updates and Top 4 Projects with the Best ROI

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Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Should You Get A Home Inspection Before Selling?

Should I Have An Inspection Done On My House Before I Sell It?

In the complicated process of selling a home, many things come into play that can have a big effect on how well the sale goes and how much money the seller makes. A pre-sale home check is one of these factors that sellers often forget or don’t give enough thought to. As the name suggests, a pre-sale home inspection is a thorough look at the state of your property by a trained professional before you put it on the market.

Traditionally, this was the buyer’s job. The goal was to find problems that weren’t obvious and ask for repairs or lower prices. But things are changing because more and more sellers are doing their own checks. A pre-sale home inspection can give you important information about your property, giving you an edge when it comes to price, negotiating, and making the property more marketable in general. But, like any other strategic choice, it has both pros and cons. This article goes into detail about pre-sale home inspections, which will help you decide if it’s a good idea for your situation.

 

 

What Is A Home Inspection Before The Sale?

A home inspection before the sale is also known as a pre-sale home inspection.

So what does a pre-sale home inspection mean?

A pre-sale home inspection, also called a seller’s inspection or listing inspection, is a thorough look at the state of a property by a certified home inspector before it goes on the market. The goal of this process is to find any problems that could make it hard to sell the house or lower its value.

A short description of what it means:

During a typical pre-sale home inspection, all of the home’s major systems and structural parts are looked at in depth. This includes, but is not limited to, the roof, foundation, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electrical systems, windows and doors, and the house’s general structural integrity. It is also often necessary to check for bugs or insect damage, such as from termites. If the property has a swimming pool or a septic system, these may also be checked. Depending on the size and state of the land, the inspection can take several hours.

 

At the end of the inspection, the home inspector will give you a detailed report that lists any problems he or she found, generally grouped by how bad they are and how much it is expected to cost to fix or replace them. There may also be photos and ideas for things that need to be repaired around the home.

What home inspectors do:

When a house is being sold, the home inspector is a very important part of the process. As neutral third parties, they look at the condition of a place and write a report about it. Their goal is to find problems that aren’t obvious and give a fair, accurate picture of the home’s state.

Certified house inspectors have gone through extensive training and follow a code of ethics. This makes sure that their inspections follow standard rules and that their reports are accurate and full of details. It’s important to remember that home inspectors do not give a house a pass or fail score. Instead, they give a snapshot of its current state and let the sellers and possible buyers decide what to do.

Pros of a Home Inspection Before Sale

A pre-sale home inspection gives buyers a number of clear benefits that can speed up the selling process and possibly make the home worth more on the market. By doing this, sellers can do a lot to boost buyer trust and reassure potential buyers about the property’s condition. When problems are found and fixed before the buyer’s review, surprises that could kill the deal don’t happen. Also, sellers can make their home more appealing to buyers by fixing problems before putting it on the market. Pricing-wise, a clean pre-sale inspection report or a clear promise to fix problems can be used to support a higher asking price. Lastly, a good pre-sale inspection can speed up the selling process because buyers may decide not to do their own inspection or because negotiations may go more quickly after the inspection. Basically, a pre-sale home inspection can give buyers an edge in the market, which can lead to a successful and profitable home sale.

  1. Boosting the confidence of buyers – A home inspection before a sale can give buyers a lot more trust. When potential buyers see that a house has already been inspected and any repairs that were needed have been done, it gives them peace of mind about the house’s state. This openness can build trust and make buyers feel better about their decision to buy.
  2. Making the buyer’s inspection less surprising – Often, deals fall through or get put off because the buyer’s review turns up surprises. By doing a pre-sale check, sellers can find problems and fix them before the sale. This makes it less likely that the buyer will find something bad that could stop the sale.
  3. Fixing problems before putting the house on the market – When problems are found early, buyers have time to fix or improve the property before putting it on the market. This makes the house more appealing to buyers and can also keep the deal from having to be renegotiated if problems are found during a buyer’s review.
  4. Giving them a price advantage – A pre-sale check can help sellers set better prices. If the inspection report comes back clean or if the seller fixes any problems that were found, it can be a good reason for the seller to ask for a higher price. On the other hand, if buyers choose not to fix certain problems, they can include the cost of fixing them in the price, which makes the price listed more clear and reasonable.
  5. Making the selling process go faster –  When the pre-sale check goes well, it can speed up the process of selling. Buyers may decide not to do their own inspection, or at the very least, talks can go much more smoothly after the inspection. This can speed up the sale process as a whole.

Cons Of A Home Inspection Before A Sale

A pre-sale home inspection can be helpful in many ways, but it can also be bad in some ways. One drawback that stands out is the cost. Home inspections can be expensive, and the seller has to pay for this cost up front. Also, a pre-sale check could find major problems that the seller has to tell any potential buyers about, even if they don’t want to fix them. This could turn off potential sellers or make the home seem less valuable. Also, if big problems are found, fixing them can make it take longer to put the home on the market. Even if there is a pre-sale inspection, a buyer could still choose to do their own inspection, which could find more problems. So, a pre-sale inspection can bring clarity and trust, but it can also bring up issues that sellers need to think about.

  1. Costs of a home inspection before the sale – One of the main problems with a pre-sale home inspection is that it costs money. Depending on how big the house is and where it is, a professional inspection can cost anywhere from a few hundred to more than a thousand dollars. This is a cost that the seller has to pay up front, and there is no promise that it will lead to a higher selling price or a faster sale.
  2. The risk of finding problems that the seller must tell you about – Another possible downside is that the seller might find out about major problems that they didn’t know about before. Once these problems are found during an inspection, the seller is required by law to tell potential buyers about them. This could stop some people from buying or make them give less, especially if the problems are big and the seller doesn’t want to fix them.
  3. Possible delays if there are major problems – If the pre-sale inspection finds big problems, like structural problems, the house may need a lot of work. These fixes can take time, which could put off putting the house on the market. In a hot market where time is of the essence, this wait could be a big problem.
  4. The chance that buyers will want a second inspection – Even if the seller has already done a pre-sale check, the buyer may still want to do their own. If the buyer’s inspection finds more problems than the pre-sale inspection did, it could lead to new talks or even put the sale at risk.

Summing It Up

In conclusion, a pre-sale home check could have both pros and cons that homeowners should think about. On the plus side, it can boost buyer trust, make sure there aren’t any surprises during the buyer’s inspection, let problems be fixed before the house goes on the market, give you a price advantage, and maybe even speed up the selling process. But there are costs and the chance of finding problems that the seller needs to tell you about. In some situations, if serious problems are found, it could cause delays, and buyers could always ask for a second inspection. Whether or not to do a pre-sale home inspection rests a lot on the seller and the property. This includes the condition of the home, the local real estate market, and the seller’s finances. Even though it can be helpful in some cases, it’s not a sure thing for every seller. Before making a choice, it’s best to talk with real estate professionals who know the local market and can give you personalized advice. They can tell you if a pre-sale home inspection is likely to help you in your situation.



Original post here: Should You Get A Home Inspection Before Selling?

Georgia Fights Property Tax Surge: Capping vs. Exempting

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