To Renovate or Not to Renovate Before You Sell

from Keeping Current Matters

When thinking about selling, homeowners often feel they need to get their house ready with some remodeling to make it more appealing to buyers. However, with so many buyers competing for available homes right now, renovations may not be as vital as they would be in a more normal market. Here are two things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of selling this season.

1. There aren’t enough homes for sale right now.
A normal market has a 6-month supply of houses for sale, but today’s housing inventory sits far below that benchmark. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there’s only a 1.9-month supply of homes available today. As a result, buyer competition is high and homes are only on the market for about 21 days, during which time many receive multiple offers from hopeful buyers.

In a competitive market that’s moving so quickly, it makes sense to sell your house when buyers are scooping homes up as fast as they’re being listed. Spending costly time and money on renovations before you sell might just mean you’ll miss your key window of opportunity. While certain repairs on your house may be important, your best move right now is to work with a real estate advisor to determine which improvements are truly necessary, and which ones are not likely to be deal-breakers for buyers.

Today, many buyers are more willing to take on home improvement projects themselves in order to get the home they’re after, even if it means putting in a little extra work. Home Advisor explains:

“When it comes to the number of home improvement projects completed, Gen Z homeowners are leading the pack, completing an average of 3.5 projects. Millennials closely follow Gen Z, taking on an average of 3.3 projects, followed by Gen X at 2.8 projects. Boomers completed an average of 2 projects, and the Silent Generation completed the fewest projects, on average, at 1.8 per household. Compared to 2019, millennials are spending 60% more on home improvement and doing on average 30% more projects.”

In this market, it may be wise to let future homeowners remodel the bathroom or the kitchen to make design decisions that are best for their specific taste and lifestyle. As a seller, your dollars and time might be better spent working on small cosmetic updates, like refreshing some paint and power washing the exterior. Instead of over-investing in your home with upgrades that the buyers may change anyway, work with a real estate professional to determine the key projects that will maximize your listing, without overdoing it.

2. Focus on getting a good return on your investment.
When planning any bigger projects to tackle, you and your real estate agent will want to discuss the potential return on your investment and if those projects are worth the cost. Some homes do need a kitchen or bathroom renovation, roof repairs, or other major work, but definitely not all of them. You might be surprised by how well your house could fair in today’s sellers’ market. Hanley Wood states:

“The 2020 Cost vs. Value report shows a predictable increase in costs for all 22 remodeling projects but a consistent dip in the perceived value of those projects at the time of home sale, as estimated by real-estate professionals in more than 100 metro areas across the U.S. This results in a slight downturn on the return on investment for nearly all projects relative to the trends we saw in last year’s report.”

Ideally, homeowners getting ready to move should try to avoid over-investing in big renovations if they won’t make that money back when they sell their house. According to the 2020 State of Home Spending report from Home Advisor:

“The average household spending on home services rose to $13,138, an increase over last year’s survey results, where homeowners who did projects spent $9,081 on average in 2019.”

Before you renovate, contact The Butch Cazin Team to see if it’s the best course of action. You may find out that putting your house on the market as-is will help you sell quickly, and it may result in the best return on your investment. Every home is different, but a conversation with your agent is mission-critical to make sure you make the right moves when selling this season.

Bottom Line
We’re in a strong sellers’ market, and that means you have the leverage to sell your house on your terms. Give us a call today to determine if renovating is really the best way to spend your time and money before you sell.

10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/10-home-maintenance-tips-for-spring-pictures

5 Winter Home Improvement Projects for Less Than $1,000

Posted in Uncategorized, by Blog Contributor on November 9, 2015

Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on google_plusone_share Share on email More Sharing Services 201

Contributed by Howmuch.net

It’s important to prepare a home for the cold weather ahead. And, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do this. Following are winter home improvement projects that home owners can do for less than $1,000:

#1 HEATING

It’s that time of the year again. Your home has to be properly heated in preparation for the low temperatures this season. Proper heating not only makes your home more comfortable to stay in during winter, it can also help you save on energy bills. For this article however, we will focus on your water heater.

Simple Water Heater Installation

A water heater is a simple device. It is not difficult to maintain and they usually last from seven to 15 years. However, even with proper maintenance, sooner or later, you will replace your water heater. If your water heater starts to leak or if it isn’t heating, you have to replace it fast.

Average Cost:

Typical cost is about: $826 – gas water heater with 50 gallon tank, typically used in a 5 person home, including vent and pipe .

Prices range from:

 $639 – electric water heater with 40 gallon tank, typically used in a four-person home
$1,077 – gas tankless water heater, 6.4 GPM for 2 baths, including vent and pipe

Tips:

A domestic water heater may be tanktype or a tankless type, and can use either gas or electricity as its heat source. Typical domestic tanktype water heaters range from 30 to 50 gallons and they require floor space to be installed. Tankless units are rated in gallons per minute (GPM) and range from 2 to 10 GPM. They can be wall mounted and located in reduced spaces.

DIY Consideration:

In the very best of cases this installation may be suitable for the able DIY person, but home insurance or local codes may require a licensed or certified installer.
In cases where issues can arise, it is best left to professionals to resolve on the spot.
A fairly complete plumbing tool set will be required, perhaps including a torch.

#2 FLOORING

During winter, people come in and out of your home tracking in all types of debris — which can do a lot of damage to your hardwood floors. Snow and water in particular, can be absorbed by wood.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors in Preparation for Winter

Hardwood floors not only make your house look beautiful, it also adds warmth to your home interior. Wood floors become extremely cold during winter. However, when heating a home interior with hardwood floors, the increase in temperature should be balanced with a gradual decrease in humidity levels. Otherwise, you risk warping the wood. That being said, you need to refinish your hardwood floors before winter sets in as this will provide extra protection to your wood floors.

Average Cost:

Typical cost is about: $2.8 per square foot – sanding of the existing floor and the application of sealers

Prices range from:

$2.50 per square foot – sanding of the existing floor and the application of sealers
$3.50 per square foot – sanding of the existing floor and the application of sealers

Tips:

Hardwood floors should be refinished regularly to extend its lifetime. The cost of refinishing hardwood floors varies greatly from region to region.

DIY Consideration:

This may be suitable for the able DIY person.

#3 WINDOW INSTALLATIONS

Keeping your home warmer during winter entails high energy consumption. However, if you have energyefficient windows you can reduce your energy consumption.

Energy saving Vinyl Casement Window Installations

When choosing the best windows for your home, there is no onesizefitsall standard. But according to HouseEnergy, when it comes to choosing the best windows for cold climates, the most energyefficient are doubleglazed and tripleglazed windows. These windows have a very low Ufactor and relatively high solargain (SHGC) coefficient. This type of window in vinyl frame would work best. Vinyl is inexpensive and does not need to be painted or stained. Casement windows also provide the best ventilation when opened.

Average Cost:

Typical cost is about: $943 – vinyl casement window replacement

Prices range from:

$691 – vinyl casement window replacement – DIY
$1,290 – vinyl casement window replacement – upgraded

Tips:

Casement windows extend to the exterior of the house and may obstruct walkways. The actual cost of installation will depend on material and finish grade, size, structural preparation, special needs and the current labor rate – when using an installer. These prices are for service in the immediate area of the provider. Taxes and permit fees are not included. During contractor inspection, the homeowner should be informed about the cost of any repairs needed as well as the cost of adapting the new window with the current opening. A project involving more than two windows may earn the homeowner a unit price discount Local or national subsidy may be provided for energy efficiency improvements.

DIY Consideration:

● This project is not highly suitable for DIY with precise carpentry and a critical closure deadline.

● Partial DIY of removal and disposal tasks are possible for the prepared DIY.

#4 ELECTRIC

As winter approaches, your electric bill rises. This is due to several factors:

● Lights stay on longer because of shorter days and longer nights;

● Extra hot water is used for warm baths and showers;

● Because people stay indoors longer during winter, electric equipment such as computers, TVs, DVD  players and gaming consoles are used more often;

● The clothes dryer is used more often.

Electric Circuit Install

Due to the reasons mentioned above, you need a more efficient electrical system during winter.

Average Cost:

1. For Electric Range Circuit

Typical cost is about: $202 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable

Prices range from:

$ 76 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable – DIY
$393 – 30 foot circuit, outdoor conduit upgrade

2. For Electric Outlet Circuit

Typical cost is about: $153 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable

Prices range from:

$27 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable – DIY
$292 – 30 foot circuit, outdoor with conduit upgrade

3. For Electric Dryer Circuit

Typical cost is about: $179 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable

Prices range from:

$53 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable – DIY
$333 – 30 foot circuit, outdoor with conduit upgrade

Tips:

Electric range circuits bring power to electrical equipment inside your home. These are subject to compliance codes and professional practices designed to reduce fire risk. The cost to install an average electric range circuit, electric outlet circuit or electric dryer circuit depends upon the power rating, circuit lengths, preparation and special requirements, and the current labor rate.

DIY Consideration

● IMPORTANT: Whenever you are going to work with electricity, you need to turn off the circuit breaker first. Double check, using a noncontact voltage tester to make certain that there is no current before you start working.

● This project is somewhat suitable for DIY with good electrical skills and tools.

● Electrical circuits and installations must comply with codes to reduce fire risk.

#5 DOORS

Most home owners choose wood doors for its aesthetics. It provides a good blend of elegance and strength and they can be very affordable depending on the type and quality of wood. However, wood needs to be treated regularly with paint or varnish so that it will be protected from wind, rain and snow. Neglecting to do so would cause rotting. For most people, the most practical choice for the winter season would be a fiberglass or steel door.

Installation of Fiberglass/Steel Door

Fiberglass and Steel are energyefficient and common lowmaintenance choices for exterior door material.

Average Cost:

The average exterior door costs range from:

1. For Fiberglass Doors: Typical cost is about: $679 – exterior fiberglass door replacement

Prices range from:

$463 – exterior fiberglass door replacement – DIY
$1,537 – exterior fiberglass door replacement – upgraded

2. For Steel Doors:

Typical cost is about: $ 613 – exterior steel door replacement

$397 – exterior steel door replacement – DIY
$871 – exterior steel door replacement – upgraded

Tips:

The cost of installing average exterior fiberglass and steel doors depends on the type of material and finish grade, size, structural preparation and special needs, and the current labor rate. These prices are for service in the immediate area of the provider. Taxes and permit fees are not included. During contractor inspection, the home owner should be informed about the cost of any repairs needed as well as the cost of adapting the new window with the current opening.

A project involving more than two windows may earn the homeowner a unit price discount Local or national subsidy may be provided for energy efficiency improvements.

DIY Consideration

● This project may suitable for DIY with carpentry skills, unless of a critical deadline.

● Partial DIY of removal and disposal tasks are possible for the prepared DIY.

Home improvement projects may be costly if you are not wellinformed. If you want to make sure your money is spent wisely on your home improvement projects, without having to sacrifice quality, visit howmuch.net for more information.

Stocking the Garage for Spring

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015

For owners planning on putting their homes up for sale in the spring, their lawnmower might be the last thing they're thinking about as winter approaches. But what they do now can influence whether their yard equipment works when it comes time to sell.

Here are five tips from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing power equipment, small engine, and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, that will ensure your clients are ready to jump in when spring comes roaring back.

Always consult your owner’s manual for directions on how to properly winterize and store your equipment. If you can’t find your manual, check the manufacturer’s website.
Disconnect the spark plug and battery cables before storing; you'll also want to do this before servicing or repairing equipment. Wear safety glasses and gloves to protect against harmful chemicals and debris.
Drain the fuel. Stored equipment should not have fuel in its tank. Many fuels today contain ethanol, which absorbs water and may separate, causing operating problems. If there is fuel in the tank, remove what remains. You can do this by running the engine until it stops.
Store leftover fuel properly. If you're planning on storing gasoline for more than 30 days, treat it with a fuel stabilizer. Use a sealed container that is approved for fuel storage. Always keep fuel out of the reach of children and animals, and away from heat sources or flames.
Check and clean your equipment. Check for loose belts or missing or damaged guards. Tighten all screws and nuts. Remove any grass, leaves, or dirt that have accumulated on your equipment.

School Supply List

Click on the link to view the current school supply list.

http://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=94&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=131&PageID=1

HVAC Maintenance Checklist

By: Douglas Trattner

Here’s an easy, doable preventative maintenance checklist to keep your HVAC in top shape.

Effort: Low 1-3 hrs/yr
Investment: Low $40-$100 (new filter every 3 m…

It’s a good idea to hire a HVAC company to inspect and do maintenance on your system every fall and spring. They’ll do things like inspect and clean the wiring and mechanisms of the unit, which is bit more challenging for the average homeowner.

But you can prolong the life and increase the efficiency of your system if you follow this simple maintenance plan:

HVAC checklist for homeowners

Some things you should do immediately; other tasks only need to be done seasonally or once a year. Here are the steps to a healthy HVAC system:

Buy a better filter if you haven’t already. The new high-efficiency pleated filters have an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles — even those that carry bacteria.

Replace the filter at least every 90 days. But check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, go ahead and change it. If you have pets, you’ll probably need to change every month.

Check to make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps.

Weekly during spring, summer, and fall remove debris such as leaves, pollen, and twigs from top and sides of outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps. Don’t allow the lawn mower to discharge grass clippings onto the unit.

Monthly, inspect insulation on refrigerant lines leading into house. Replace if missing or damaged.

Annually, ensure that outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground or pads.

Annually, pour a cup of bleach mixed with water down the air-conditioner condensate drain to prevent buildup of mold and algae, which can cause a clog.

In summer, shut off the water supply to the furnace humidifier. In fall (or when you anticipate turning on the heat), replace the humidifier wick filter, set the humidistat to between 35% and 40% relative humidity, and turn on the water supply.

Never close more than 20% of a home’s registers to avoid placing unnecessary strain on the HVAC system.

Annually, replace the battery in your home’s carbon monoxide detector.

How to Protect Your Home From Severe Cold

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/seasonal-maintenance/protect-your-home-cold-weather-threats/?cid=eo_em_mkt_newsletter

4 Clever Problem-Solvers for Messy Pantries

Pantries seem like a good idea at first, but before long they can become the kitchen’s equivalent of a disorganized closet.

If your pantry is headed in that direction, these four projects from some of our favorite bloggers could help you remake your pantry into an organized haven.

Then vote for your favorite at the end of this post, and see which pantry makeover is the most popular with our readers.

A Lazy Susan Pantry

This is a very clever idea — using Lazy Susans to make items in hard-to-reach corners accessible.

Decorchick installed six carousels to display food that once hid in pantry corners. Although she and her dad made the carousels, you can buy versions at any home improvement store.

A Blackboard Pantry for Only $50

A thrifty military wife, 11 Magnolia Lane’s blogger, turned a cupboard into a practical and whimsical closet-style pantry, complete with polka dot trim and blackboard paint — all for only $50.

Most of that $50 was spent on glass containers, so you could probably do it for less.

An Adjustable Pantry

Another smart idea, this one from blogger Honey & Fitz: Remove the standard homebuilder’s plastic-coated wire shelves and replace them with easy-to-adjust sturdy wood-and-steel shelves.

By making the shelves adjustable, Honey & Fitz created room for a rolling baking station that stores a mixer and baking supplies.

No Pantry? No Problem.

The now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t pantry is a great solution for kitchens with no pantry or limited storage space. It’s an easy, low-cost DIY project from Classy Clutter.

5 Holiday Hosting Disasters and How to Avoid Them

Take a look at the most common things that can go wrong when you have guests and learn how to prevent them.

Imagine you’re preparing to host your annual holiday party, and you’re past the point of no return. The veggies and meats have been bought. Guests are already braving busy airports and crowded highways to get to your home—and then your oven won’t turn on. Your home-cooked meal has quickly turned into a microwave dinner.

That’s just one of many hosting nightmares that can end your holiday party before it even begins. Thankfully, some of the most damaging mishaps easily can be avoided. We collected five of the most prevalent issues and give you preventative tips to keep your holiday party on track.

Problem: The oven doesn’t heat

For any holiday occasion, the oven is the most important appliance in your house. If it fails to work, the centerpiece of your meal could go from roasted beef, ham, duck, or Tofurky to Peking Duck from the local Chinese takeout joint.

How to avoid:

There are any number of reasons a stove can break, but one common cause of disaster is easy to prevent. Don’t self-clean your oven until AFTER the holidays. You risk blowing a fuse or a thermostat, and tracking down an oven technician around the holidays can be tough.

Problem: The kitchen sink clogs

The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest of the year for plumbers. The prime cause of this clog-a-thon is the mistreatment of drains when cooking holiday feasts. We hope your Thanksgiving went well, and that you avoid clog-a-thons for the rest of the holidays.

How to avoid:

Fats and cooking oils can solidify in your pipes, so never dispose of them in your kitchen sink.

If you have a garbage disposal, make sure it’s running before anything goes in it, and never feed it any stringy, fibrous, or starchy foods like poultry skins or potato peels.

To fix, don’t rely on chemical drain-clearing products that can harm your pipes. Use a snake instead, available for $15 at your local hardware store. Best to keep one on hand.

Problem: The heat goes out

As the party’s host, you’re supposed to hang guests’ coats—not apologize to them for having to keep them on. A lack of heat can stop a holiday party dead in its tracks.

How to avoid:

The key to avoiding freezing your party to a standstill is regular maintenance of your HVAC. Every 90 days, a new one-inch pleated furnace filter should be installed. If you haven’t done it in a while, now’s a good time to replace it.

Also inspect insulation on refrigerant lines that are leading into your house. Replace them if they’re missing or damaged.

Problem: The toilet stops up

Toilets have a way of clogging up at the worst times, such as during parties and when you have overnight guests. This is especially true if you have a low-flow toilet from the early 1990s.

How to avoid:

Don’t flush anything other than sewage and toilet paper down the toilet. And there’s nothing wrong with putting up a polite note to remind your guests to do the same.

Problem: The fridge doesn’t cool

Without a properly functioning refrigerator, your meat could get contaminated, your dairy-based treats could go sour, and you may not be able to save your yummy leftovers. To avoid discovering a warm fridge after it’s too late, take these simple precautions.

How to avoid:

Get a thermometer for your refrigerator to make sure each shelf stays below 40 degrees and you can be aware of any temperature changes.

Also make sure the condenser coils located on the back of the unit or beneath it are free to breathe. Coils blocked from circulating air by cereal boxes atop the fridge, or dirtied by dust or pet hair can prevent a fridge from keeping cool.