Category: Interior Design

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As realtors, we often get asked by those looking to sell their home about potential remodels or updates. Friends and family with long-term value in mind want to know if remodeling their kitchen, or installing new flooring, or adding an addition will be worth the investment when it comes time to sell.

But what about bathrooms?

Here’s the truth: updating a bathroom can be one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the value of your home. According to a report from Remodeling Magazine, an average bathroom remodel can recoup up to 60% of its cost at resale, making it a valuable investment for homeowners looking to increase the value of their property.

Here are some reasons why updating your bathroom before selling your home can be a smart investment:

  1. It improves the appearance of your home: a dated and worn-out bathroom can be a major turnoff for potential buyers. Updating the bathroom with new fixtures, flooring, and lighting can significantly improve its appearance and make a better impression on buyers.
  2. It increases functionality: upgrading the bathroom can also improve its functionality and make it more appealing to buyers. Adding a double sink, a larger shower, or a separate tub can make the bathroom more functional and appealing to buyers.
  3. It boosts energy efficiency: updating the bathroom can also include the installation of energy-efficient fixtures and appliances, such as low-flow toilets, LED lighting, and water-saving showerheads. These updates can help reduce energy and water consumption, lower utility bills, and appeal to eco-conscious buyers.
  4. It adds value to your home: a bathroom remodel can add value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. By investing in the bathroom, you can increase the overall value of your property and potentially earn a higher selling price.
  5. It increases your home’s competitiveness: with many homes on the market, updating your bathroom can help your home stand out from the competition. A modern and updated bathroom can be a major selling point for potential buyers, especially if it offers features that other homes in the area lack.

When updating your bathroom, consider making updates that are neutral and timeless. Avoid trendy designs or bold colors that may not appeal to all buyers. Opt for classic fixtures and finishes that can appeal to a wide range of buyers and make the bathroom look clean, bright, and spacious.

In short: updating your bathroom can be a smart investment before selling your home. It improves the appearance and functionality of your home, boosts energy efficiency, adds value to your property, and makes your home more competitive in the market. By investing in your bathroom, you can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for a higher price.

Thinking about updating your home with resale value in mind? Give Properties on the Potomac a call at 703-624-8333 for a free consultation!

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In recent years, smart home technology has become increasingly popular, offering homeowners greater control and convenience over their living spaces. From security systems to smart lighting, there are a variety of devices available to turn any home into a smart home. And, with real estate in mind, today’s buyers appreciate the added value of a smart home already installed for them. If you’re interested in making your home a smart home, read on…

Start with a smart hub
The first step in making your home a smart home is to invest in a smart hub. A smart hub is a device that connects to all your smart devices, allowing you to control them from a single app. There are several popular smart hubs on the market, including Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. Once you have a smart hub in place, you can begin adding other smart devices to your home.

Add smart lighting
One of the easiest ways to make your home a smart home is to add smart lighting. Smart light bulbs can be controlled from your smartphone, allowing you to turn them on and off, dim them, and even change their color. You can also set schedules for your lights to turn on and off automatically, making it look like someone is home even when you’re away. Lighting options include Philips Hue, LIFX, and TP-Link Kasa.

Install a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat is a smart home device that can save you money on your energy bills. Smart thermostats can learn your habits and adjust the temperature of your home accordingly. They can also be controlled remotely from your smartphone, allowing you to adjust the temperature even when you’re away from home. Thermostat options include Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell.

Consider smart security
Smart security devices can give you greater peace of mind by allowing you to monitor your home from anywhere. Smart security cameras can be accessed from your smartphone, allowing you to check in on your home at any time. You can also receive alerts if the camera detects motion or sound. Other smart security devices include smart locks, which allow you to lock and unlock your doors remotely, and smart doorbells, which allow you to see and talk to anyone who comes to your door. Smart security options include Ring, Arlo, and August.

Add smart entertainment
Finally, you can make your home a smart home by adding smart entertainment devices. Smart TVs can be controlled from your smartphone, allowing you to change channels, adjust the volume, and even launch apps. You can also add a smart speaker, such as the Amazon Echo, Sonos, or Google Home, to stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks throughout your home.

Making your home a smart home can be a fun and rewarding experience. By adding smart devices, you can make your home more convenient, secure, and energy-efficient. Whether you’re looking to add smart lighting, a smart thermostat, or smart security devices, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs and budget.

Want more tips and tricks for upgrading your home and/or making it more valuable for homebuyers? Give Properties on the Potomac a call at 703-624-8333.

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Why does one house sell in a day and another on the same street stays on the market? The answer is often an intangible “feeling” that one house provides over the other.

That feeling is happiness. Happy houses sell faster even if they are not perfectly staged and pristine. The occupants have decorated their house with joy and incorporated elements that they love. The house feels authentic and welcoming. Unlike formulaic staging, happiness cannot be “staged.” It has to be accumulated over time in layers and often begins on the day the occupants moved in.

Often, homeowners decorate and improve their houses for “resale” value; not necessarily that the improvement pleases them. That is when the authenticity issues rise. Those who design and furnish their homes to their taste, incorporating personal and family treasures and art, remain authentic to themselves and their homes show it.

Whenever my husband and I bought a new house, I decorated for our taste. I boldly painted two walls in a two-story foyer in a gloss “shutter green.” At the time, beige was the color of choice. Every time we entered our foyer, we were thrilled with the color. Neighbors and family expressed concerns that nobody would buy the house with the colors. The reality was that when we decided to sell it, we received two full price offers almost immediately.

Clients often ask me to give them “permission” to improve their homes for resale value even though they may have just moved in. My response is categorically, “Will this improvement make you happy?”

We spend a lot of time in our houses. Our environment must please us and not a prospective buyer. Tastes and trends change quickly so best to design and enjoy the home for yourself and your family.

When the time to sell approaches, that is when condition and design must be evaluated. Below is a list of improvements to make to improve resale value:

  • Replace carpets
  • Declutter
  • Clear closets
  • Clean landscaping and mulch
  • Seal driveway
  • Have windows washed
  • Replace/remove any worn or broken elements
  • Paint, if walls show wear or if paint is dated
  • Make sure that everything works properly
  • Have the house professionally cleaned

Below are some things not to do in preparation for sale:

  • Do not replace appliances
  • Do not change kitchen or bath counter tops
  • Do not remodel bathrooms or kitchen
  • If the basement is not finished, do not finish it for resale

When we meet with potential sellers, we discuss what it will take to get the house sold. We suggest improvements and staging, if any. Our goal is to make your house sell well and quickly.

If you are considering a move, please contact Properties on the Potomac at 703-624-8333 to review your house and design a plan for making it irresistible.

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Here we are – the beginning of 2023 ! You have been waiting to make decisions and commitments until the holidays are over. Now what?

If you are thinking of moving – up, down, around, or away – here are a few tips to help you structure your activities:

  • Decided whether you want to sell or keep your current real estate. Either way, consult a competent real estate broker. The possibilities are endless and your investment and risk are huge. Be selfish and work with the best (that would be us – read our website and see for yourself).
  • If you plan to sell, list long before you want to go on the market. That way pre-marketing excitement can bring the best buyer.
  • Go through all the nooks and crannies of your home (that includes closest that you often use). Start with all off-season belongings first. Decide whether you will keep, toss, or donate.
  • If you have a home of 2000+ Square Feet, know that it will take you several weeks to complete the culling and packing.
  • Be smart and not impulsive. There are many garments and things, that due to the current circumstances ,have remained unworn or unused. Do not throw away anything on a whim. It doesn’t matter if it makes you happy if you will need it later. You will buy it back for more money and of lesser quality. Keep your stuff. Your happiness will compound with lower bills. Be a good steward.
  • Do not make capital investments in your current home unless it will be a coat of paint and some flooring. Keep it simple. Do not replace appliances with stainless steel.
  • Chose a smart real estate agent who knows what sells and what brings in the most return for your investment. – Again, that would be us – not bragging, just the facts.
  • In 2022, our listings sold for 105% of list price and our buyers paid 95.5% of list price. How is that? Ask us.
  • We’ll be happy to show you how you can benefit from our 35 years of experience in all sorts of markets.

Looking to make a move in 2023? Give Properties on the Potomac a call at 703-624-8333!

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“But how will that affect the future resale value of my home?” is a common refrain from many clients when they are considering decorating and / or improving their home. This is an interesting question and my answer is usually not expected.

 

Typically, I encourage my clients to pursue their passion and improve their home for their enjoyment. We have all seen formulas for returns on certain improvements. To those formulas, I san “So what?”

 

You take vacations, attend theater, shop for unnecessary, but desirable things, go to the spa,  and  purchase a host of other “pleasure” related things without concern of  future return. All of a sudden, when it comes to changing a wall color or adding a distinctive fabric, the breaks screech to a halt and the fretting begins. So the question is, how long do you plan to stay in your home? This answer will help you determine the wisdom of painting a wall chartreuse or building the outdoor kitchen.

 

Over the last 30 years, trends have shifted. Perfectly operating appliances have been discarded and many people have spent thousands of dollars keeping up with their neighbors’ improvements. However, what really makes you happy? Is the color du jour really your taste? Will you cook more at home with stainless steel appliances over the ones you have, and will you bathe/shower  longer or better in  the huge tub and/or shower? Will you be happier if your bank account has an extra zero?

 

Celebrating my 30th anniversary since my career change to real estate, this year, I have become pragmatic about improving, enhancing, or diminishing home values. Over this period I have learned valuable lessons.  I share 5 of those lessons with you below:

 

1.      Happy homes sell.

2.      Well-decorated homes with personality (regardless of color scheme) sell.

3.      Clean, well maintained homes, and tidy landscaping sell.

4.      Location sells.

5.      The right price will sell any time.

 

It is easy to get caught up with TV trends and neighbors’ improvements. I always recommend careful examination of the motivation of a proposed “improvement.” Unless, you will wake up and be deliriously happy  to see and/or use the improvement, bank the cost. If, on the other hand, you will enjoy the improvement, without concern about future return, then treat it as if it were a vacation and get it done. 

 

Be happy in your home and pay attention to its maintenance – both indoor and out. The worst that can happen is you’ll eventually have to repaint a few walls or you have paid to enjoy a particular feature that was important to you.

 

Have some fun and enjoy your home.

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Your House
Your House According to Buyers

No matter how much you want to move, parting with a home can be an emotionally difficult experience. Especially when buyers come in and start criticizing everything.

To a buyer, your living room is not the place where your baby took her first steps, it’s the room they can’t see through the carpet stains.

Every deal has give and take, but as a seller you get to set the starting point: Condition of the House. Think of your house as a car, how would you prepare your car to sell if you couldn’t just take it to a dealer and trade it in? Get your house clean and in at least reasonably good repair (unless, of course, it’s totaled).

If you want your house to sell quickly and for near (or above!) your asking price, then you might want to put a bit of extra work in before the house goes on the market.

DECLUTTER. DECLUTTER. DECLUTTER.

If we can’t see the house through the possessions, it’s going to take longer to sell or sell for a much lower price.

If you can’t bring yourself to actually get rid of things, just put them in storage. The main thing is to get them out of the house.

Stuffing everything in the closets or garage is only an okay solution, not a good one. People love closet space and big garages, those actually aren’t parts of your house that you want to hide behind a wall of boxes or junk.

Also, if you put your possessions in storage, you can feel easier about having people come look at your house. Obviously, we want to assume the best about people, but it’s still wise to be proactive about protecting your home and family.

REPAIR THINGS

If you are hoping that they won’t notice that thing over there, then they probably will. Especially if it’s water damage, mold, or something missing that really shouldn’t be missing. Faucets. Broken towel bars. Door knobs. Burners. Linoleum peeling off the floor. Screens.

UPDATES OPTIONAL

Everyone wants to know if they should upgrade their appliances, their floors, or their cabinets, in order to sell their house. Well, that depends. How old are your appliances? How nasty is the carpet? How chewed up is the hardwood? If these things are in terrible condition, you should probably consider that a repair. If they are in good condition…you might not need to make changes.

My question is: Why don’t you upgrade when you can enjoy the upgrades for a little while first?

This process can be very difficult, but your realtor should be able to help you prioritize and get your home ready for buyer’s critical eyes.