Many Happy Returns!

If you're in the Covington, Georgia real estate market and are thinking about selling your home in 2008, here are two things you could consider to help you sell faster at a better price:

1. Consider remodeling or fix-up projects that would enhance the beauty and livability of your home!

"Remodeling" magazine says to focus your efforts mostly on exterior upgrades for the best returns.  In the magazine's 20th "Cost vs. Value" survey, "Remodeling"  found siding replacement, window replacement and deck additions returning over 80% of their value when the home was sold.  Only one interior project - a minor kitchen remodel - had recovery rates that high.

Naturally, cost recovery rates are different according to the part of the country you're in and depend on a wide variety of factors.  These include the condition of the rest of the house, the value of other homes nearby, the home's location and the rate at which property values are changing in the surrounding areas.  So whether you're in Covington or another area of the country, the best course of action is to consult a local remodeler about construction costs and look closely at comps and current market conditions.

According to "Remodeling" magazine, in the Covington area, cost recovery for siding replacement with new fiber-cement siding, including all trim, recouped 110.5% of the replacement cost.  The addition of a wood deck recouped 97.6% of the cost of the addition.  Replacing double-hung windows with insulated, exterior clad wood replacement windows recouped 86.7% of the investment.  And, in the interior, minor kitchen remodels (replacing cabinet doors, new countertops, sinks/faucets, etc.) returned 97.6% of the cost to remodel.

Projects at the bottom of the returns ladder include home office remodels (57%), installing back-up power generators (58%), and adding a sunroom (59.1%).

I am also asked often about basement finishing/remodeling in Covington.  If you finish your home's basement (mid-range), you might expect to recoup around 80% of your costs when you sell your home.

The second thing to consider to help you sell faster, at a better price is:

2. Call me!

I work with a group of four other agents, "Your Traditional Neighborhood Specialists," who offer you the advantages of having the expertise, market knowledge, accessibility and resources of five full-time, professional Realtors for the same fee as a single Realtor.  If "two heads are better than one," think what five of us can do!

So, if you're thinking of adding resale value to your home, making it more livable and recouping all the investment that you can, consider the projects most buyers are interested in, and call me when you're ready to seel or buy real estate in Covington.

I wish you "many happy returns!"