Remodeling Or Renovating For Resale

 

Remodeling Or Renovating For Resale

 

If you're like most Americans, your home is probably your biggest investment. You want that investment to perform as well as possible, so if you think you may sell your home some time soon, it makes sense to do as much as you can to boost its value.

 

Depending upon your situation, this can mean doing some home renovations so your house becomes more attractive to potential buyers.

 

But, while upgrades can boost your home price and help your home sell faster, remodeling and renovating your home can be a huge expense and not all renovations have an equal impact on what your home is worth. To ensure you're making renovations that will actually pay off, Jennifer Zenquis, Sales Associate with ERA Justin Realty shares her thoughts on some upgrades that give you the most bang for your buck.  

 

Improving Home Efficiency

While most homeowners think upgrades that improve the look of their home will pay off, improving your home's efficiency may actually make a bigger difference.  In fact, homeowners can recoup a large amount of the costs of attic insulation. And attic insulation is just one of many upgrades that improve efficiency.  In addition, upgrading HVAC, water heaters, and windows will cost less than solar panels and are more likely to provide a positive return on investment when the time comes to sell.

 

Exterior Improvements

We’ve all heard it before: You only get one chance to make a first impression [when a buyer pulls up to your home]. Zenquis agrees, “I can’t tell you how many buyers don’t even want to make an appointment to see a home if the exterior isn’t what they were looking for. Something as simple as powerwashing and adding a few shrubs, mulch, and potted plants can do wonders at minimal cost.”

 

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Remodel

Most experts agree a kitchen is key to improving a home's value and Jennifer advises that if a seller has only enough money to renovate one room, the kitchen is the room to pick. “Kitchens are the focal point of almost every home showing and when buying a home, people will overlook a lot, but an old or run-down kitchen could hurt the resale value.”

 

You don't have to spend a fortune to make a big improvement in your kitchen. A minor face-lift for your kitchen could include painting cabinets or getting new cabinet doors, installing new appliances, upgrading countertops, or switching out cabinet hardware. Even minor kitchen updates consistently outperform bathroom projects, regardless of cost and make it easier for a buyer to want to purchase your home.

 

Bathroom remodel

If your bathrooms are outdated, this is another room where updates could make a big impact. “Next to kitchens, bathrooms are the number two selling point in most homes. Consider re-grouting tile; removing and replacing caulk around the shower, tub, and toilet areas; and possibly replacing the toilet for a more efficient and modern look. Replacing mirrors and fixtures will also go a long way to improve the look and feel of the bathrooms.

 

A new coat of paint

One of the cheapest updates you can make also has one of the best returns on your investment: painting your home's interior. This is a must in Jennifer’s book. “It cannot be underestimated the affect a clean coat of new paint has on a property. Most sellers don’t realize how much abuse walls take during the years they live in the home. Be sure to select light or neutral colors to lighten the room and instantly make a space feel fresh and clean.

 

Ultimately, working with an experienced realtor like Jennifer can help you to decide what upgrades it makes sense to invest in so your home meets the expectations of buyers in this market.

 

With the at-home orders lifted, more buyers will be out in full-force, attending Open Houses on the weekends. We know because we have many buyers looking for their dream home! If you are ready to sell your home, ERA Justin is here to help. Contact Jennifer, or any of our experienced ERA Justin Sales Associates to help you decide what upgrades or updates will add value and appeal to buyers. ERA Justin Realty has sold 3 times more homes in Rutherford than the nearest competitor, based on statistics from NJMLS. We are located at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue in Rutherford. 

 

Home Maintenance Tasks While At Home

Home Maintenance Tasks While At Home

While most of us are spending more time at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is a good chance to take care of our homes. Just like an automobile needs regular maintenance to keep it running well and prevent major problems, a home also needs regular attention.

Monika Aptacy, Sales Associate with ERA Justin Realty shares some DIY tasks you can do to keep expensive repair costs down and prolong the life of your home.

Clean Away Dirt From Refrigerator Coils

Most refrigerators have a series of coils that are located either near the bottom or along the back of the refrigerator. If the coils become clogged, it can cause some serious troubles and can cause the machine to stop working completely. Vacuum to clean off the coils twice a year to keep them clean and working efficiently.

Get Rid of Sediment in The Water Heater

The water that pumps through a water heater contains sediment. Over time, the sediment can build up at the bottom of the heater and can form a hot spot, causing the water heater to fail. This can be avoided by simply removing the sediment once a year. 

Clean The Dryer Vent

The accumulation of the lint can clog up the entire dryer vent and lead to a fire. To clean out the duct, simply disconnect it from the dryer and use a vacuum to remove the lint. A flapper can be easily cleaned with a paper towel and an all-purpose cleaner.

 

Check For Water Around The Base of Toilets

The presence of water in the wrong places can be a sign of major issues, like a worn toilet seal. Look for puddles of water around the base of all toilets at least once every other month.

If you spot any presence of water, ask a plumber to inspect before the issue becomes too serious.

Keep The Gutters Clean

While gutters seem to go unnoticed, they have a major responsibility to collect water and push it away from the home’s foundation. This keeps the foundation strong and allows the home to withstand the elements. Faulty gutters can lead to serious foundational problems that are extremely expensive to repair. Keep them debris free and ensure all are properly attached to the house. 

Avoid Drafts From Windows And Doors

Faulty windows and doors can allow too much air in from the outside. It can also allow too much heat from the home to escape during winter months and the cool air during hotter temperatures. Inspect the caulk around the windows once a year and reapply where needed. Apply new weatherstripping around doors to make them air-tight.

Test Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors

A smoke detector, as well as a carbon monoxide detector, can save your life. Make sure the equipment is ready to do its job by performing regular tests. Every month do a test on the detectors to see if they are working properly. Replace the batteries every 6 months, without fail.

 

Clean Out Sink Drains

Exposing your plumbing drains to harsh chemicals can lead to wear and tear over time. While the chemicals are good for getting rid of a clog, a better alternative is to routinely flush out the drains with natural ingredients. Baking soda and vinegar are the safe choice. Flush with hot water once it sits for a few minutes.

By setting up a schedule to handle these tasks periodically, you can maintain the function of your home and continue to enjoy your biggest asset. 

If you are looking for real estate buying or selling tips, contact Monika or any of our experienced real estate agents at ERA Justin. We are your area’s Full Service & Experienced Real Estate Company for over 50 years. Call 201.939.7500.

Downsizing Your Home

It’s not unusual to downsize to a smaller home at one point or another. Whether you’ve decided to eliminate debt from your life, or an empty nester looking for fewer maintenance requirements, or are just simply wanting a small space, one thing is inevitable when it’s time to downsize: You will have to get rid of some of your stuff. This is somewhat bittersweet, but you get a chance to go through all of your belongings and determine what truly needs to make the trip to your new destination in life.

Mary Iannaccone, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, shares some tips for downsizing. “Being an experienced Real Estate Agent for many years, I’ve worked with many families wanting to downsize. I tell them all the same thing: ‘People often look around at everything that's taking up space in their homes and feel discouraged. But if you take it in little bites, downsizing is manageable. Commit to 15 minutes a day for sorting: clean out one drawer in your desk; go through your handbags; toss outdated food and spices in your pantry.” A little bit goes a long way and gives you the motivation to keep going.

List it or Leave it
The first step to downsizing is to make a list of the things you absolutely need. Items that don’t make the cut shouldn’t come to your new house. It is important to do this at least three to four months prior to the move to ensure you have an ample amount of time to go through your items and think about whether or not you need them.

Sort and Sell
Once you have determined the things not coming to your new house, you can start getting rid of them. This can be a difficult task, as your items will have different values and varying degrees of wear and tear. Grab three boxes and label them for selling, donating, or throwing out.

Compare New Rooms with Current Rooms that Have Similar Dimensions
It can be hard to determine how much room you will actually have when downsizing. Get the dimensions of each room in your new house and compare it to rooms in your current house that have similar dimensions. This gives you the opportunity to see what kind of space you’re working with, and more importantly, what furniture will fit in your new downsized home.

De-Clutter Your Kitchenware
If you are an empty nester, there is truly no need for ten mixing bowls and seven spatulas when you move into your new house. Narrow down your bowls, plates, forks, and spoons to reasonable amounts.

Target the Garage
Depending on the kind of home you’re downsizing to, you may not need a lot of the items in the garage. For instance, if your new condo handles lawn maintenance and snow removal, you can get rid of the shovels, lawn mower, and possibly even the ladder. Determine what tasks will be taken over by someone else when you make the move and sell any equipment you no longer need.

Downsizing your home can be an emotional task. "We endow things with meaning. That's why they become important to us. But if everything is important, then nothing is special," says Iannaccone. Try to select just a few prized pieces to use, wear or keep and donate the rest. "Your heart can never be too full, but your house can be," Mary continues. Follow these tips to de-clutter and reorganize your belongings as you head into a new chapter in your life.

To help you downsize to the next property in your life, contact Mary, or any of our experienced real estate agents. We are your area’s Full Service & Experienced Real Estate Company for over 50 years. Call 201.939.7500.

A Surprising Shift to the ‘Burbs May Be on the Rise

A Surprising Shift to the ‘Burbs May Be on the Rise

While many people across the U.S. have traditionally enjoyed the perks of an urban lifestyle, some who live in more populated city limits today are beginning to rethink their current neighborhoods. Sharon Robie and Beth Albanese, Realtor Sales Associates at ERA Justin Realty highlight some reasons for the rise in this shift. “Being in close proximity to everything from the grocery store to local entertainment is definitely a perk, especially if you can also walk to some of these hot spots and have a short commute to work. The trade-off, however, is that highly populated cities can lack access to open space, a yard, and other desirable features,” they state.  These are the kinds of things you may miss when spending a lot of time at home. When it comes to social distancing, as we’ve experienced recently, the newest trend seems to be around re-evaluating a once-desired city lifestyle and trading it for suburban or rural living.

As the economy reopens, the impact on consumer preferences will likely shift buying behavior. Consumers are already looking for larger homes, bigger yards, access to the outdoors and more separation from neighbors. As we move into the recovery stage, these preferences will play an important role in the type of homes consumers will want to buy. They will also play a role in the coming discussions on zoning and urban planning. While higher density has been a hallmark of urban development over the past decade, the pandemic may lead to a re-thinking of space allocation.

Today, moving outside the city limits is also more feasible than ever, especially as Americans have quickly become more accustomed to – and more accepting of – remote work. This trend may continue for the unforeseeable future, while businesses re-evaluate their business models. 

If you have a home you were thinking about selling, you may see an increasing number of buyers looking for a property like yours. Likewise, if you’re thinking of buying to finally leave that City lifestyle, now is the time to consider looking at homes for sale in the burbs. Beth and Sharon, or any of our experience real estate professionals, are here to help make it happen! We are your area’s Full Service & Experienced Real Estate Company for over 50 years. Call 201.939.7500.