"What can 'You' do to appreciate the value of your home in today's market?"

As time goes by, people age, our children have grown up and moved out of the home. We look to downsize into another home, or we simply stay where it is most comfortable and live in the same home we have enjoyed all these years. The memories we have built on that still remain. Then, we take a look at our home and think to ourselves, "What is it we can do to spruce it up and make changes?" Even though many of us do not like change, many of us like convenience with the things that go with an "up-to-date" lifestyle. For example, a 10 year old car requires constant repair. "Is it really worth sinking all this money into this old car when I can go out and purchase a new car that is better on gas mileage and save money in the end?" Of course we know vehicles won't last us a lifetime. Well, a home will can last a lifetime if we maintain it. 

You might be interested in the information I gathered at the GLMV Multi-Chamber of Commerce Expo in April. I am very excited to share with you, "the homeowner", what I learned.

Curb appeal is extremely important because it lets someone have an idea of the type of home they are going to tour. The front door is also another thing to factor. While a Realtor is working on the lock box combination, it gives the consumer a moment to take a look around seeing the upkeep to the exterior of the home. Looking for any cobwebs, making sure that the siding exterior is in place, windows clean and appealing, etc. The list goes on. Then there is the initial walk-in. How the home opens up when you first take the look around. It reflects how that individual/family feels when walking into the “Home-Sellers” personal space. Again, if your book has a nice cover to it, the chances of someone picking up that book to read it is likely. When a home looks nice on the outside, and the ambiance when walking in is attractive, it will leave someone to be curious as to what the inside holds. 

Many say that the "Kitchen is the heart of the home". It gives off a favorable impression and it's a place where many families gather around to eat a nice Sunday brunch or dinner. Even a fun game of Monopoly or cards. The kitchen is the core root of what one looks for in a home. Many are looking for efficiency and conveniences in the kitchen, especially with how busy the average person’s lifestyle is today. Looking for that easy clean surface such as countertops and easy-to-use appliances. One other big importance is lighting. A kitchen that is open and spacious with a lot of light brings out the vibrancy. Whether it be a regular sized kitchen, or a kitchen that may not be as open, you would be surprised how lighting can do wonders to taking a regular or small sized space and opening it up to having that welcomed feeling. 

Bathrooms are another big part of what many people look at when going to purchase a home. Cleanliness and especially sanitary. I mean, who wants to look at a bathroom and see a toilet seat that should have been replaced and thrown away years ago? A bathroom can be relative to being ones sanctuary. Nice and clean, and lighting to really bring out the look. A bathroom is the first thing we usually wake up to every morning isn't it? Light colors are also a very nice touch to a bathroom. Especially when you feel like taking a bath, lighting some candles and incense. Nice neutral colors with a sense of feeling and comfort can open a bathroom to leaving that refreshing appeal.

A basement was something I never really took into consideration till I thought of my children. And if you don't have children, something to consider being married when you have that "Sports Nut" type husband. Then we would call it "The Man Cave”! Many families find it to be very entertaining when the entire crew sits in the Family Room to watch a movie. On the contrary, what happens when you find that there are times you would like to have guests over, or just spend some one on one time with your spouse or guest watching a nice show on television? A finished basement can come in really handy. A rec room created for children where they are able to expunge all their energy having fun separating themselves from interrupting guests and eliminating the controversy of television debates. Basements are found as a convenience when it's finished space utilized than having plain ole cement and nothing to do but twiddle your thumbs in an unused area. Also a great place for "The Guys" to hang out with friends watching their sporting events while the wife is upstairs enjoying her time with "The Girls", or just all by herself catching up with previously recorded shows that hadn't been watched because of her hectic work week.    

Being said, the highest return on investment is the kitchen. It can be as high as a 90% return on the dollar! Many people do not realize when they go to improve their kitchen it adds more value to their home and has a higher chance of selling on the market. If you are not looking to sell your home and have an outdated kitchen, it would not hurt to make some changes while the time is right. Enjoy it for your own personal use. One of the biggest myths is that kitchens are relatively expensive to update. They are actually not as expensive as you think. A funny but interesting analogy would be, "A woman who puts on make-up will save quite a bit of money versus getting plastic surgery to changing the look of their facial appearance". A bit of a cosmetic uplift to your kitchen depending on size can vary in price. Take in consideration the town you live, the space you have and work within the parameters to the value of your home. You wouldn't want to take $50,000.00 to renovate your kitchen when your home is only worth $150,000.00. Same applies when it comes to your bathroom and basement remodels. Think smart, be wise. You will be surprised on the changes that can be made living in today's date. Later on down the road you may consider selling getting more bang for your buck! I found these links for kitchen and bathroom remodel to be very helpful. "Today" from MSNBC, http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20895851/ns/today-today_home_and_garden/t/tips-renovate-your-kitchen-budget/#.T4ME6Jm0y68 and Repair-Home.com http://www.repair-home.com/bathroom-remodeling/average-costs-of-bathroom-remodeling.html. Whether you do it yourself or have someone do the work for you, these articles are quite interesting, knowing I am on the consumer side too. 

Best,

Kimberly Potokar

Gorsline Development, LLC.