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Phone: 979-693-0201 Email: [email protected]

Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

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What are the Most Important Renovations to Add Value to Your Home?

February 10, 2020 by Myke Leatham

Whether you are thinking of selling your home this year or in a couple of years, it’s always important to keep resale value in mind when deciding on any remodeling or renovation projects. There are many home improvement projects that may seem like a good idea but don’t add any value to your property, especially if the market is experiencing a slump. In fact, there are some improvements that can take away from your asking price if you do decide to sell. How do you know what the right projects are and what are the most important renovations to add value to your home? In this blog we’ll go over some of the most common home improvement projects that will make your home feel new again but will also bring you a decent return on your investment when the time comes to sell. 

  • Kitchen Renovation

The kitchen is easily the most prominent room in a home, many people actually consider it to be the heart of the home. Think about it, you spend the majority of your time at home in or around your kitchen – it’s the control center of a family where everyone comes together to eat, talk and enjoy each other’s company. Because of this, updates to the kitchen and full renovations can majorly pay off if you decide to sell your home. According to HGTV you can expect to gain back somewhere between 60% – 120% of your investment if you do the remodel right without going overboard. With any renovation, it’s important to make sure that your space isn’t fancier than any of the comps in the neighborhood. Whether you choose to do a basic update or full-blown renovation entirely depends on you, but if you are planning on selling your home it wouldn’t be wise to invest in a super deluxe kitchen. Homes that go overboard on the renovations end up sitting on the market because the asking price is too high in comparison to the other homes for sale in the neighborhood and buyers are not willing to pay the price no matter how incredible the upgrades are. A kitchen remodel can cost you anywhere from $5,000 to more than $60,000! You can get the biggest bang for your buck with fresh paint, new flooring and energy efficient appliances. If you choose to alter the layout of the kitchen it will cost you more, but it is important to note that open concept floor plans are extremely popular and most modern homes feature a big kitchen space that opens up into the rest of the home allowing for great flow. Painting cabinets, adding new hardware, updating a backsplash and replacing the floor are all cosmetic changes that will really give an existing kitchen an incredible facelift. Replacing old appliances with newer, more energy efficient models will also attract more buyers once you are ready to sell your home. Look for Energy Star-rated appliances that are not only better for the environment, but also help you save money by using less energy.  

  • Bathroom Remodel

Bathrooms are extremely important rooms in a home, and if your home only has one bathroom you may actually consider adding an extra one. If you add a bathroom to your home so that the bedroom and bathroom count is similar to other homes around you then you can recoup a large chunk of your investment – around 80% – 130% of what you spend. If you decide to add in a bathroom make sure to find a good place for it, work with an experienced contractor and get your plans approved and permitted before you begin on any work. If you decide to simply give a bathroom, or multiple bathrooms in your home an updated look the cost of the project largely depends on the materials and accessories you select. The cost of demolition is very low, but once you add in labor and the price of materials your bathroom remodel, depending on the size, could cost you anywhere between $7,000 and more than $25,000. Replacing bathroom floors with fresh tile, adding in an attention-grabbing mirror with cool light fixtures and painting the room will also make a big difference for potential buyers. 

  • Invest in Energy-Efficient Windows

These days, buyers are looking for homes that offer numerous upgrades that provide the ultimate in energy efficiency. Old windows that are single-pane and drafty are a major turn off and could turn away many buyers. Energy Star-rated windows can save a homeowner up to $500 per year in cooling and heating costs by making the home more energy efficient, and it’s definitely something to take into consideration. Upgrading the windows in your home to Energy Star-rated windows could also qualify you for a green energy tax credit and additional credits from your state or utility company. The estimated cost of replacing windows in an average-sized home can cost between $7,500-$10,000 or more if the property has unique shaped windows. 

  • New Garage Door

A good-looking garage door is at the top of the list when it comes to getting a good return on your investment if you decide to sell your house. A garage door is part of the overall curb appeal of a home, so you want to make sure that it doesn’t look grungy or like it’s falling apart. The average cost of this project is between $3,000-$4,000, and the estimate includes removing and disposing of an existing door and replacing it with a new one. This upgrade will almost certainly get you back almost every dollar you spent on it when you sell your home.

  • Landscape Design

Curb appeal is so important when listing your home for sale – it’s the first thing that a buyer will notice when they walk up to see the house. You don’t need to invest in expensive landscape design, but it is important to keep the yard trimmed, fresh and clean. If you are considering landscape design and aren’t planning on selling for a few years, then you should absolutely go for it because it will pay off when you are ready to sell. Basic landscape design can cost you about $4,000, but when your yard is the envy of your neighbors, you’ll be very glad that you decided to go for it. A charming focal point like a walkway or a water feature also adds major value to your property. 

  • Minor Exterior Improvements

There’s nothing more unappealing than peeling paint, a scuffed front door and curb appeal that isn’t well maintained. If you invest in basic exterior improvements like an updated front door, fresh coat of paint and fixing anything that needs to be updated or replaced you are likely to get a really good return on your investment at resale. Depending on your budget you can improve the look of your home by removing old awnings from windows and doors and to swap out old railings for real wood supports. If your home was painted before 1978 make sure to test for lead before sanding or scraping. 

  • Add a Patio, Deck or Porch Addition

If you own a property with an expansive yard a wooden deck can be an awesome enhancement that allows you to enjoy the outdoors around your home. The average cost of adding a wooden deck is approximately $13,500, and you should be able to recoup 75% of this investment at the time of sale. You can really enhance this addition with decorative planters, nice deck chairs, a massive umbrella and an attractive outdoor dining set. 

  • Basic Maintenance

If you’re not ready or willing to splurge on a big renovation you really don’t have to, but before you sell your home it is important to make sure it’s in the best shape possible. This means that even the most basic updates can add value to your home. Keep the paint fresh, fix the roof if it leaks, replace any wood that has dry rot and get rid of mold. These types of chores will not only keep your home from deteriorating over time, but buyers are looking to invest in a home that is healthy, solid and safe. Pride of ownership goes a long way, and any issues that could have been easily resolved will be uncovered by an inspection report anyway, so it’s best to take care of them as they come up. 

Remodeling your home will add to your enjoyment and it can also boost your home’s value over time. Renovations are always taken into account when a property appraiser assesses your home’s current market value and it’s also important when pricing your home to sell. If you have any questions about preparing your home to sell and whether or not a certain project will increase the value of your home, please contact us. We would be happy to offer a free home evaluation as well as guidance and suggestions that will set you up for success when you are ready to sell. 

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Category: Blog

About Myke Leatham

I’m so glad you found me – your College Station and Bryan, TX real estate source! When you choose to buy or sell a home in College Station/Bryan, TX or other surrounding areas using our expert services, you will receive a free consultation to determine your needs, free listings, and free reports sent to you by email. These weekly reports will show you how hard the members of my team are working to accomplish your property goals, and we guarantee the best service and consultation you have ever experienced. You’ll find the best community information for the College Station, Texas region right here.

It’s nice to know YOUR Realtor will still be of service after the sale.

Experience Counts: Broker/Owner of Brazos County Realty
Over 25 years of sales experience. With past ABR, GRI, CRS, & Epro designations.
Continuing education in real estate: Education is paramount in an ever changing industry like Real Estate. Myke has taken over 1000 hours of real estate specific courses which include but are not limited to: Residential Appraisal, Marketing, Law Contracts I & II, Finance, Residential Inspections, Principles and Practice, Law of Agency, Code of Ethics, Bankruptcy/Easements/Surveys/and Probate, Home Warranties, 1031 Exchanges and hundreds of hours of extensive real estate training.

Reputation: SALES LEADER since 1998; Top Producer 2000 through 2009. Listed among the top agents in the county. Consistently ranked among top realtors for total sales volume out of 900 realtors for commercial and residential real estate in the Bryan/College Station, TX area. When Myke represents buyers, she presents all viable options to her clients, including those properties that are not officially listed, but could be available for sale based on her inside information. Her expertise lies with investors and marketing homes of all price ranges in College Station/Bryan to local, national and global buyers, across all major media channels and through her extensive, personal network of contacts.

Myke is among the top 1% of all Realtors in North America!
She has earned the Designations of ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative), CRS(Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate of Realtors Institute)CHMS (Certified Home Marketing Specialist), and E-pro (Certified Internet Professional)
Fewer than 3% of all Realtors nationwide earn these certifications. They are not only a symbol of Myke’s commitment to this business, but these designations are your assurance of a skilled, trained real estate professional.

Myke is a consummate real estate professional who not only understands the art of deal-making, but also the art of relationships. She makes the process of buying and selling homes an uplifting and fun experience. She has a tremendous appreciation for Bryan and College Station, its rich history, and Texas A&M traditions having lived in the area for 25 years. Her knowledge of Bryan/College Station’s real estate market and market trends is unparalleled. Having been personally involved with clients through their remodeling, purchasing and selling processes, she knows intrinsic quality and value when she sees it. When she doesn’t see it she lets her clients know, without hesitation.
Myke’s proven track record and affiliations in the field of real estate demonstrates her high level of professionalism.

* High energy and enthusiasm
* Aggressive marketing
* Expert negotiating skills
* Ability to listen and ascertain customer’s desires and needs
* Fun to be with
* Internet savvy
* Because Myke is an experienced investor, she quickly helps her customers locate and define good business opportunities. No one likes the feeling of being ‘sold to’ so Myke provides as much information as possible to help you make the right decision.

Personal Commitment:
I am prepared to go the ‘Extra Mile’ for you, because I understand the financial and emotional significance of purchasing and selling your home. I will carefully listen to your desires and arrive at a workable plan. I believe sensitivity, listening, and service are important keys to success.
Whether you are buying or selling a home or you are just curious about your home’s market value, I’d be happy to provide my market expertise and intelectual property without obligation, or meet with you to evaluate your home for future reference. I want my customers to have a great time and enjoy the total process of purchasing or selling property. It gives me great pride when my customerspass my name on to their friends and family. I will continue to work hard to make sure critical information is available at www.AggieRealEstate.com and I invite all interested investors to search my site for cash flow opportunities. I will dedicate my time and talents to helping you achieve your goals. It is my goal to make your buying and selling experience extraordinary. Look closely and you’ll see how much I love meeting and working with people. You’ll experience the difference in working with an experienced and dedicated professional.

Personal information:
Michelle goes by ‘Myke’ and is the proud mother of 6 children – 3 girls and 3 boys. Her husband is David Leatham. They met at Brigham Young University. They have been married since 1977. David is a finance professor, and Associate Head over graduate studies in the Agricultural Economics Department at Texas A&M University, and speaks fluent Spanish. They have lived in College Station since 1983 and loved every minute of it. Myke loves to quilt, sing, swim, ‘sing’, bake bread, ‘sing,’ garden, ‘sing’, sell real estate, and ‘sing some more’ :-). Family, church, and real estate consume most of her time. Truth, honor, integrity, kindness, loyalty, gratitude, and service are very important words to her.

Slogan: ‘Let Myke Help You With Your HOMEwork!’

Referrals: The highest compliment I can get is when you pass my name on to others or post a kind remark on the internet. When you send your friends and family my way, I’ll always provide them with the highest quality of service that I know you would appreciate. Thanks in advance for all your support and friendship.

Previous Post:10 Steps Towards Finding the Perfect Price for Your Home
Next Post:What are the Worst Renovations Attempting to Add Value to Homes?

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