Maximize the value of your home

Maximizing the value of your home before listing it for sale is an important step in getting the best return on your investment. Texas is known for its robust real estate market, but with so many homes on the market, it's essential to make your home stand out to potential buyers. Whether you're looking to sell your home quickly or get the best price possible, here are some tips to help you maximize your home's value:

1. Start with curb appeal: The first thing that potential buyers will see is the outside of your home, so make sure it looks its best. Clean up your yard, power wash the exterior, and freshen up the paint on the front door. Simple improvements can make a big impact on how your home is perceived by buyers.

2. Update your bathroom and kitchen: These are the two most important rooms in the house when it comes to selling, so make sure they're in tip-top shape. Consider updating the countertops, and hardware in your kitchen, as well as freshening up the paint and tile in your bathroom.

3. Make your home more energy-efficient: Increasing your home's energy efficiency can save buyers money on their utility bills, making it more appealing to them. Simple things like adding insulation and sealing air leaks can make a big difference.

4. Stage your home: Staging your home will make it look more appealing to potential buyers and can help you sell your home more quickly. Even if you're not planning on hiring a professional stager, you can use some simple staging techniques to make your home look more attractive to buyers.

5. Utilize Professional Photography: Consider hiring a professional photographer to take high-quality photos of your home, as this will be the first impression for many buyers. High-quality images will help showcase the features and benefits of your home and entice buyers to schedule a showing.

6. Hire an experienced real estate agent: Working with a real estate agent who has experience in your local market and knows how to market your property can help you get the best price for your home. Additionally, an agent can also provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you price your home competitively.

With Lainie Eilenberger as your West Texas Real Estate agent, you will have a experienced professional who can guide you through the process of preparing and listing your home for sale. With Lainie's expertise and knowledge of the West Texas real estate market, you can be confident that you are making the best decisions to maximize your home's value and sell it for the best price possible.

In conclusion, maximizing the value of your home before listing it for sale is an important step in getting the best return on your investment. With a few simple updates, proper staging, and professional photography, you can make your home stand out from the competition and sell it for top dollar. It's also important to work with a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent such as Lainie Eilenberger to help you navigate the process and get the best outcome for your home.

To Repair, or not to Repair?

When you finally decide to place your home on the market, you’ll want to make it look it’s best for prospective buyers. It’s a fact that the better your home shows, the more offers you’ll receive. So, what should and shouldn’t be done to get your home ready to sale?

Knowing what to do, and what not to do when selling a home can be difficult. Fixing issues that are significant function of your home is critical. You should take care any and all leaks, foundation cracks, electrical issues, plumbing issues, pest infestations, and all safety issues.

Don’t pay for state-of-the-art appliances such as a refrigerators, dishwashers, or ovens as they’re seldom a deal breaker. Do thoroughly clean your appliances and make them look as good as possible.

A kitchen remodel on average will only recoup approximately 56 percent of its value, and bathroom remodels will only recoup approximately 59 percent (Remodeling Magazine). First, you should consider several factors, especially time and budget, before spending thousands of dollars on these projects. I would recommend cleaning everything thoroughly, applying a fresh coat of paint and repairing items that are critical the function of your kitchen and bathrooms.

Flooring should be clean with no stains or foul odors. Only replace flooring that professional cleaners are not able to remove the stains for foul odors from. If you have in door pets you may not be able to smell it in your home, but it’s the first thing homes buyers will smell when they enter your home. If you have pets, it’s a must to have your floors professionally cleaned. Often this is good enough, but be prepared to replace carpets if you have pets.

While improving your home's curb appeal is crucial to get home buyers to enter your home, you don’t have to spend a significant amount of money. Do not worry about fixing every small, minor, or insignificant crack in driveways and walkways that do not present any safety risks. They are common and re-doing the paving of the entire section will cost more than it is worth. Only spend the money on fixing them if the cracks are hazardous for driving or walking. Have your yard mowed and edged, trees and bushes trimmed and clean any debris along your curb. Ask your realtor for a list of affordable landscapers if your unable to do it yourself, they will know the best, most affordable ones in town.

Trends come and go, even for home colors and fixtures. What looks “stylish” now, will be dated in a few years. You want to keep things as conservative, and neutral as possible. Remember, that what you like and what homes buyers like are not always the same.

When repainting a room, door, trim, or cabinetry to provide a quick face-lift, again use conservative and neutral colors, such as whites, beiges, and light grays. If you choose to fix any broken or damaged light fixtures, faucets, and cabinet hardware, choose common fixture styles that can appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

Don't get overwhelmed by thinking that you need to fix everything. Doing so will result in wasted time and money that could be used to cover closing costs. Show your home's potential, instead of trying to achieve perfection. If you’re still in doubt about what kind of repairs to make before listing your home, consult with your real estate agent, they have seen it all and know what you need to do to get the most for your home.

December Home Maintenance

So far, it’s you: 1 

Winter: 0

Keep the score in your favor all winter long with 5 December home maintenance tips:

- Inspect attic insulation. If it’s level with or below your joists, you may need to add more.

- Clean your chimney and fireplace. If you have gas logs, compressed air clears away dust and soot.

- Check for drafts around exterior doors and replace weatherstripping or use a physical barrier if needed. 

- Put a few indoor and outdoor lights on timers. Added security and one less thing you have to remember. 

- Consider a security or doorbell camera. The holidays are rife with porch pirates. Plus, you can usually score a good deal this time of year.

What’s on your home to-do list this December? Drop how you like to winterize your home in the comments below.