Top Projects to yield you the highest return

1. MINOR KITCHEN REMODEL

Kitchens are the heart of the home! Minor cosmetic upgrades, such as cabinet refacing, new countertops, and updated hardware, significantly enhance functionality and appeal, yielding an average ROI of around 70%.

2. GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT

A new garage door boosts curb appeal significantly! It’s a relatively affordable upgrade with a noticeable impact, making it a smart investment. (Averaging above 90% ROI)

3. DECK ADDITION

Decks expand living space and provide a great spot for outdoor entertaining. This is particularly appealing to buyers in climates with enjoyable weather. (Averaging around 70% ROI)

4. ROOF REPLACEMENT

A new roof is essential for protecting your home. While not the most glamorous upgrade, it’s crucial for maintenance and preserving value. (Averaging around 60% ROI)

5. ENTRY DOOR REPLACEMENT

Similar to garage doors, a new entry door creates a strong first impression. It can improve energy efficiency and enhance security too. (Averaging around 70% ROI)

6. ATTIC INSULATION

his is an energy-efficient upgrade that can lead to significant savings on heating and cooling costs, making the home more appealing to buyers. (Averaging over 100% ROI)

7. MINOR BATHROOM REMODEL

Like kitchens, bathrooms are important to buyers. Updating fixtures, repainting, and improving lighting can go a long way. (Averaging around 60% ROI)

8. STONE VENEER

Adding stone veneer to a home’s exterior adds a touch of luxury and sophistication, increasing curb appeal and perceived value. (Averaging around 90% ROI)

9. SIDING REPLACEMENT

New siding improves a home’s appearance and protects it from the elements. It can also boost energy efficiency. (Averaging around 75% ROI)

10. WINDOW REPLACEMENT

New windows enhance energy efficiency, reduce noise, and improve comfort. This is a practical upgrade that adds value. (Averaging around 70% ROI)

8 Tips to getting your home ready to sell without spending a lot of money. 

Spring is typically when the housing market gets flooded with homes! I always suggest beating your neighbors to the punch and listing your home a little earlier than most. Less for buyers to choose from can mean more money in your pocket. Often times the task of listing your home can be daunting and many do not know where to begin, let my experience work for you! Below find a list of items that are rather inexpensive and will not only make your home look great, but will also help to sell faster and for more money.

1. Paint- For 50 dollars you can buy a gallon of paint. Change the whole look of your home. So long are browns and beiges and hello to grey and white pallets. Our favorite colors that go with everything are from Sherwin Williams we like them so much we use them in ourown homes!

Repose Gray, and Eider White are stunning on the wall and really do a wonderful job of toning down oak tones you may already have in your home. They brighten up dark spaces and give a clean neutral look to your home.

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Pussywillow gray SW 7643 it is a touch darker than repose gray and looks beautiful in any home. If this seems to dark for you, you can have it cut by 50% and it will give you the same tone just lighter. See below the great room in this color.

2. Declutter- Staging your home will help to highlight your homes strengths, hide its weaknesses and helps it to appeal to buyers. Depersonalizing your home and removing clutter and small décor items will give your home a fresh appearance. Start by packing away or donating items that you will no longer need or wont use for the next 3-4 months. Removing clutter will give the feeling of having more space. You want home buyers to imagine living in your home and making their own memories there rather than taking a tour down your family’s memory lane. Pictures should be removed off the fridge, above the cabinets should be clear and your countertops should be sparse.

3. Fresh towels and bath mats- You don’t need to spend a lot of money. Run to Homegoods, Target, Walmart or even The Dollar Store. Make your bathrooms fresh and spa like. Roll up some bright white hand towels next to the bath tub, add a bench with some bath salts, and fresh bar of soap. You don’t need a whole bathroom remodel to appeal to buyers. Small details will help greatly. Maybe your bathroom doesn’t have double bowl sinks but does have a large bath tub. Play up what you do have by enhancing the features that stand out, sprinkle some rose petals, add a plush rug and accentuate your assets.  See below how some inexpensive towels, a vase with some flowers and bench transformed this bathroom into a spa, cant you envision yourself there now!

4. Deep Clean- This is a huge deal. To the buyer your home  is ‘brand new to them’ New home buyers will see everything you don’t. We suggest taking a few days yourself or spending a few hundred dollars and hiring a company to come in and DEEP clean your home. Doing this just before your first showing is best so its fresh. After its clean its easy to maintain and the buyers know they are getting a home that was well cared for.

Have your windows professionally cleaned to give your home a lighter feel inside and out. Don’t forget to have the curtains, blinds and shelves around the home dusted and cleaned as well. Opening vents and washing the covers and vacuuming inside is another great idea. Light fixtures and lamps should be wiped down and don’t forget those pesky cobwebs in vaulted entryways.

5. Lighting – Light fixtures go in and out of style, never thought we would see gold coming back around but it is here! Lights can often be purchased and installed easily and inexpensively adding a pendants to builder grade kitchen or a chandelier over the dining room table can change the whole look of a house. Amazon usually has some knock off Pottery Barn Lights for a steal and are delivered next day with PRIME. See how these glass gloves and table area chandelier transformed this kitchen!

6. Bedspreads– replace busy or loud looking bedspreads with a neutral white or gray, especially in the master suite you want a tranquil place to land your head. Target and also Homegoods have very inexpensive plain bedding that you can purchase for the purpose of showing the home they even come in sets.  If your not in love with it swap it out for showings. This can be a great way to give your room an updated feel without spending a lot of money.

7. Landscaping– Its still winter so no ones yard looks inviting right now. A quick clean up, removing dead leaves, flags and lawn ornaments can really spruce up the yard. Old furniture that’s not looking so hot anymore can be stored in your garage and out of sight.

8. Call your Favorite Realtor for your complimentary home evaluation. I can get you a true picture of what your home can sell for. Let me walk through with you for pointers. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can help point out things you may not notice. Spring is right around the corner now is the perfect time to get ready.

Having a Home Inspection is a necessary part of the purchasing process. Your home is for most people the largest investment you will ever make. You want to make sure you are protecting yourself by hiring a licensed professional to make sure your home doesnt have any flaws that could be costly to you in the future.

You only need to do a quick search for home inspectors in your area to find numerous options, but as with so many professions, some inspectors are better than others. The following tips will help you find a home inspector that you can be happy with, someone you can trust to provide you with all the relevant facts about the home you want to buy.

1. Get a reference from your real estate agent.

If your agent has been in business for any length of time, they have probably encountered quite a few home inspectors. By observation, your agent can see who does a thorough job and who does not. Typically an agent will refer inspectors whom they feel do a good job over and over because they know that their client will be well taken care of.

An excellent home inspector will not only be thorough but will take the time to explain the severity of an issue. If the problem they have found is a common one and not something to be genuinely concerned, they should explain this to you. Some of the most common home inspection problems can usually be corrected fairly quickly. Remember anything that is troubling to you doesn’t have to be a deal breaker you are allowed to ask the seller to repair or replace.

2. Look for a company that is Licensed and insured.

Whether you go with a big company or a single inspector working on his or her own, you want to make sure that whoever examines the home is bonded and insured. Finding out about insurance is one of the most important questions to ask when interviewing a home inspection. If the Inspector gets hurt during the inspection which can happen with crawling in attics or falling from roofs  you dont want to be held liable or have any risk fall onto you.

3. Find out what the inspection includes and how long it takes.

The best home inspection will be a thorough one, where the inspector goes over every little detail of the home. You want an inspection that looks at every component of the home, including:

• The plumbing system
• The electrical system
• The structural condition
• The heating and air conditioning systems
• The basement and foundation
• The roof and attic
• Evidence of water penetration or grading issues
• Pests such as bugs and wildlife
• Environmental issues such as mold, radon, asbestos and lead paint
• Appliances and other general components of the home

Most home inspections should take two to three hours to complete. If you are purchasing a larger home, a fixer-upper or an older home, the inspection will more than likely take even longer. Don’t hire someone who tells you they will complete the inspection within an hour or two. It is unlikely the inspector will be able to do a thorough job.

4. Compare the cost of hiring different companies

The cost for inspections vary on what is included in the service, ie: radon, pests ect. and also varys on the size and components of the home.  A home that is 4000 sqft is going to cost more and take longer to inspect than a home that is 1200 sqft.

A more thorough inspection is worth paying more for. So is a company with better references, or one with experience in a specialized area you need. There is nothing wrong with trying to save money, but make certain you are hiring someone you can rely on to do a good job.

Remember a home inspection is for your PROTECTION on your investment.

Many believe they will save money by selling there home without a Realtor. According to The National Association of Realtors NAR (2025). The typical FSBO obtained 360,000 for a home sold compared to 425,000 obtained by a Realtor assisted sale.

FSBO methods used to market home:

• Yard sign: 36%
• Friends, relatives, or neighbors: 28%
• Online classified advertisements: 16%
• Open house: 14%
• For-sale-by-owner websites: 13%
• Social networking websites (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, etc.): 7%
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) website: 7%
• Print newspaper advertisement: 7%
• Direct mail (flyers, postcards, etc.): 1%
• Video: 1%
• Other: 2%
• None: Did not actively market home: 32%

Most difficult tasks for FSBO sellers:

• Understanding and performing paperwork: 18%
• Getting the right price: 13%
• Preparing/fixing up home for sale: 12%
• Helping buyer obtain financing: 3%
• Attracting potential buyers: 3%
• Selling within the planned length of time: 7%
• Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale: 6%

Why to Sell With a Realtor:

Choosing to sell with a professional rather than on your own makes sense for a variety of reasons:

• A Realtor has access to market data about recent sales and other homes on the market that can be used to price your home appropriately. Studies show that homes priced right when they’re first listed sell more quickly and for a higher price than those that linger on the market.
• A Realtor can show your home when you aren’t available, can respond to inquiries from potential buyers and their agents, and can get valuable feedback from visitors – all things that save you time.
• A Realtor can look at your home objectively and suggest ways to improve its appearance – by staging and minor repairs – so it appeals to more buyers.
• Buyers typically prefer to look at a home without the seller present so they can feel more comfortable exploring the rooms and visualizing themselves in the property. At an FSBO sale, the seller must be present.
• A Realtor can screen visitors to your home, which provides a measure of safety that FSBO sellers don’t have. In addition, by checking to see if the buyers are legitimate and can afford to purchase your home, a Realtor can help you avoid wasting time showing your home to unrealistic buyers.
• Realtors have professional marketing expertise, contacts with other Realtors who work with buyers, and the support of a brokerage that can market your home more widely than you can as an individual.
• A Realtor can help you negotiate a contract that not only garners you an appropriate price for your home, but that meets your needs for a settlement date and perhaps includes a period when you rent back your home from your buyer. In addition, a Realtor can make sure your contract is in compliance with all local regulations.