Time is ticking away, home inventory is down in Loudoun County and all over Northern Virginia, and Interest Rates are still great!  Sellers, yes you can get offers, and have competing ones, too!

With the recent market conditions, many home owners are deciding to make improvements in their homes, and have contacted me before they begin.  Their main concern and question, "is what will add value to my home and what are buyers finding to be the most important aspects of a home when they preview?" I always remind them that most improvements need to be made either right before you list a home or while you are living there.  Why not enjoy all the updates and renovations yourself rather than for buyers who will get a wonderfully renovated home that you have never had an opportunity to live in and enjoy!

Will you get a return of 100%, absolutely not, but you will get your home to sell faster and most likely for more money.  It depends on what you do.  Before you begin, ask yourself what is important to the livability of your home?  How is the space used? Is it big and impractical or is it defined and will improve your living conditions?

Cost vs. Value, from Remodeling Magazine, is one of the best sources of information on trends, designs, and consumer spending.  Curb Appeal is king!  Why?  

                "Lots of reasons, the first of them being cost. In an economy where frugal is the word, each of the exterior projects comes in at less than $15,000. The project with the greatest return - a mid-price-point entry door - costs less than $1,200," according to their research.

Another reason is appearance. Exterior improvements contribute to the overall look and feel of a building. "Curb appeal is king," notes Strongsville, Ohio, Realtor Mike Pallendino - especially in a market with more sellers than buyers. Pallendino says that sometimes when he pulls up to a house that has a less-than-stellar exterior, clients ask him to just keep driving. "With the exterior updated," he points out, "owners can concentrate on other parts of making the house their home."

The Green movement and energy efficiency has folks checking out improvements which benefit heating, cooling, and energy efficiency of appliances. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act tax credits available for upgrades has boost home buyers and sellers awareness of such improvements. Many recent buyers not only want a good-looking house, they want an energy efficient one, and are willing to pay a bit more if a home has new energy efficient windows, doors, washers and dryers!

    I find that the homes which get hurt most significantly are the ones which have not been cared for.  Buyers truly appreciate and can see that the seller really has loved the home and that it has been well taken care of.  Even homes on the market as short sales get more offers at higher prices.  

I will be happy to provide you with more information, home improvement contractors, home staging, and of course, a CMA, competitive market analysis of your home's value.

Just a little about home staging, I have had much success with Home Stagers and work with many who provided different levels of staging and cost.  Staged Interiors is one the best resources in our Northern Virginia area.  I know of many Realtors who use Trish and can highly recommend her for almost any job!  Her graph below shows her success.

Many sellers forget that they are selling the home and not their prized possessions. 

    Down with the Family pictures!  Buyers ant to see the wall space, not your relatives!

                                          Great Fireplace, if only we could see it!