Remodeling? Which Projects Pay Out?

When tackling home remodeling projects, you’ll find some projects pay off more than others at times of resale. Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, recently released findings of its annual Cost vs. Value report for 2011-2012, revealing which remodeling projects offer the biggest bang for your buck.
Overall, the trend right now is replacement over remodeling–swapping out the old for the new rather than doing a total gut job, which can be much more costly.
This year’s Cost vs. Value report found that exterior replacement projects–such as new garage doors and a new entry door–offer some of the best returns at resale, allowing home owners to recoup close to 70 percent or more of the costs of the project at times of resale.
The following are the top, mid-range projects from this year’s report, based on what home owners stand to recoup at time of resale:
1. Replacing the entry door to steel~ This item has been #1 the past few years!
Estimated cost: $1,238
Cost recouped at resale: 73%
2. Attic bedroom (converting unfinished attic space into a bedroom with bathroom and shower)
Estimated cost: $50,148
Cost recouped at resale: 72.5%
3. Minor kitchen remodel (including new cabinets and drawers, countertops, hardware, and appliances)
Estimated cost: $19,588
Cost recouped at resale: 72.1%
4. Garage door replacement
Estimated cost: $1,512
Cost recouped at resale: 71.9%
5. Deck addition (wood)
Estimated cost: $10,350
Cost recouped at resale: 70.1%
6. Siding replacement (vinyl)
Estimated cost: $11,729
Cost recouped at resale: 69.5%

With all of this being said, consult a Realtor before making improvements with intentions on selling in the near future.  More cost effective alternatives may be a better and budget friendlier option!
Feel free to E-mail me with any questions!  kfeeback@danberry.com  I would love to help you!

Best~
Kristie

Article By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Frivolous Friday

Happy Friday!  Just happened upon Hanneli.com while viewing the latest issue from Net-A Porter.
Most of the blogs I follow are Real Estate or Home design related so this is like a breath of fresh air, FASHION BABY!

"Light The Money"

My new favorite saying...!  I just heard it for the first time on Million Dollar Decorators and It really captures what I do!  As a Real Estate Agent, It's my job to highlight a property's BEST FEATURES (light the money)!  Sometimes, it takes some uncovering, some polishing, some replacing and a fresh perspective to make a home shine! 

                                                                    California Closets

Waterworks

                                                                            Country Living

Closets, Fixtures, Kitchens, Fireplaces, Moldings, plus Patio and Landscaping are some of the top tier items to highlight.  I know, what your saying, "Kristie, my house doesn't have features this elaborate".  The truth is, many homes don't, but it's my job to help create and  accentuate a homes best features and give the buyer what they are looking for.

500 Credit Score? Exciting News from Wells Fargo!

Valuable information from our Danberry "in office expert" Ann Newman of Wells Fargo First Mortgage Consultants.
419.720.5080

• If you’ve been hearing the buzz that Wells Fargo is now offering FHA financing down to a 500 credit score, let me confirm that it’s true! For the right buyer, the 600 credit score has now been lifted with some additional parameters.
• Down payment - for credit scores of 580-599, a 5% down payment is needed. For scores between 500 and 579, 10% is needed.
• Debt to Income Ratio - FHA has always been flexible with the debt to income ratio. When going to a lower credit score, though, they’re requiring ratios similar to what a conventional loan would want (31%/36% required).
• Limits on seller contributions - the seller contribution is limited to 3%.
• No gift funds - the down payment has to be the buyers own money.
• FHAs existing rules on judgments, collections, bankruptcies, etc. still apply. For many buyers, though, this lightening of the requirements is a HUGE win. If you have been previously turned down because there score was too low, give me a call!  I’d be happy to guide you through the process!

Thanks for the great info Ann!

A tisket, a tasket...

Just got the new Pottery Barn catalog yesterday and loved the 2 page spread they had for baskets and storage (of course I couldn't  find it online).

PB.com

I am due for a little basket re-fresh in my house: kids rooms, kitchen table, coffee table.  Here are a few of my online picks.

Oh, if your house is for sale, baskets are a great way to corral the clutter before showings.

PB.com

Sky Mall.com



Country Living for kmart

Stay warm fellow Midwesterner's-Glad I got out last night:)

Up Against a Wall?

Dry wit and a sense of humor make James Swan a great read! 

His latest post rants about the lack of imagination some homeowners have in pushing their furniture against the walls of a room.  Maybe it's to make more space for the kid stuff?

Read and see more , how NOT to place your furniture, pic's here

FYI: I have be guilty of this in the past ;)

Ottawa Hills Home $0.00~ Absoulte Auction

Sunday Jan. 16th at 1:00

3727 Indian Rd. Ottawa Hills

So much fun even if your not bidding!

An Absolute Auction has no minimum bid and the highest bidder wins.  If the highest bid is 1.00, the house sells for a 1.00.  *A 10% buyers premium is added to the highest bid amount and a cashiers check is required for a designated amount to bid.

Want more details?  Just e-mail me at: kfeeback@danberry.com

See you at the auction!

Auction Posting

Holiday Staging~Less is MORE

• Evergreen wreaths, pine cones, poinsettias and candles say winter rather than a specific holiday. This keeps your house as neutral as possible during the holiday season.


• Although the holidays have much religious significance; mangers, menorahs, etc are considered personal items that we would prefer not to be out during showings. You never know what might offend a potential buyer ~ even during the holidays.

• Be careful not to overwhelm architectural features such as a mantel with holiday décor. A simple evergreen garland with white lights will show off the fireplace and mantel very nicely. And, remember to put up the stockings at the last minute (Christmas Eve) and take them down before your next showing.

• Take a drive to enjoy the elaborate exterior holiday displays this year and leave yours for next year.

• Christmas trees are big. Visually speaking, you can think of them as another piece of furniture. When decorating a tree, try to use white lights with only one or two colors of decorations. Save the children's ornaments and other personal items for the new home.

• If at all possible, try to use a small, narrow tree or a table top tree so the room isn't overpowered by a huge tree.

• Be sure to keep wrapped gifts out of sight during showings and opens.

• Think about the quantity of gifts that will remain in your house after the holidays and where you’re going to keep them to maintain a clutter-free atmosphere.

• Be careful not to leave decorations up after the New Year.

Michele Thrasher, ASP
Staging by MON BRIO
419.350.5654

Great advice Michele! Thank You!

Want to build in Sylvania or Ottawa Hills?

Pick your Lot

Lots still seem to be at a premium in Sylvania and Ottawa Hills.

These lots are currently listed in the MLS  for 50,000 and up...

Need a plat map for a neighborhood?  I am happy to help!

Happy Cyber Monday!

Butler's Pantry

According to Wikipedia, a Butler's Pantry is defined as:
A room where food, provisions or dishes are stored and served in an ancillary capacity to the kitchen. The derivation of the word is from the same source as the Old French term paneterie; that is from pain, the French form of the Latin pane for bread.

I have most often seen a Butler's pantry between a kitchen and dining area.  I don't currently have one at home, but would love to carve out a space for extra dishes, serve ware, candles-I could go on...

 

 all photo credits Better Homes and Gardens
 
What's your take?  Clever storage or a thing of the past?  I am excited to hear what you think and open to suggestions!!!
 
 

It's Official

I have been toying with the idea of a 2nd business card and Holly Becker, author of decor8 confirmed, via her blogging class, Blogging Your Way that a business card is essential to building readership.  Hope you like it!:)

2655 Talmadge Rd Ottawa Hills, Oh 43606 - Your Toledo, Sylvania, Perryburg, Maumee, Ottawa Hills Connection

OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY MAY 23RD FROM 2-4
OUTSTANDING HOME IN THE ESTATE SECTION OF OTTAWA HILLS

2655 Talmadge Rd Ottawa Hills, Oh 43606 - Your Toledo, Sylvania, Perryburg, Maumee, Ottawa Hills Connection

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