John Davis with Coldwell Banker Offers Tips to Upgrade Your Home for Potentially Increased Property Value

Home Sweet Home Improvement

Montclair, NJ, June 06, 2007 --(PR.com)-- A home is arguably one of the largest financial investments a person will make in their lifetime. While property values over time are determined by national variables, the economy and local market conditions – the care and upkeep of a property is also a crucial element toward achieving a solid re-sell. Whether you are planning on adding more rooms to create extra space, upgrading your kitchen with new appliances or are thinking of putting your home on the market, John Davis (www.johnwdavisjr.com) with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation offers some essential home improvement tips that might increase the value of your home.

Kitchen Makeover: Out of all the rooms in the house, the kitchen is the most popular to remodel. According to Remodeling Magazine, money spent to upgrade a kitchen produces the highest return on investment. “Hot” kitchen makeover trends include adding dual sinks, cooking stations, extra-long dishwashers, under-cabinet lighting, warming ovens and wine coolers.

Bathroom Fixer-Upper: Upgrading a bathroom is also a sound choice and will usually provide a significant return on investment. Large bathrooms are typically on the top of the list of priorities for those seeking to purchase a home. Adding skylights, glass block windows, ceiling fans and sunken whirlpool baths are also attractive selling features. If you don’t have the room to expand or to accommodate larger appliances, or you don’t think you’ll be living in your home long enough to enjoy the changes and/or see a return on this kind of investment, stick with neutral, mid-builder level updated cabinetry, refreshed flooring and shower/tub, or a new sink and toilet.

Room to Grow: Adding a room or two, such as a spare bedroom or a study, is a significant home improvement that you will be able to take advantage of every day. In addition to the much-needed extra space, it can also potentially provide you with a good return on your investment when it comes to selling the property.

Landscaping the Lot: A professionally landscaped yard can certainly increase the “curb appeal” or desirability of a home. In fact, beautifying your lawn can be one of the most inexpensive home improvements. Additional simple landscaping projects include trimming and edging the grass, manicuring the trees and shrubs to open up the view of the house, removing any dead plants and planting flowers to brighten up the yard

Repair Jobs: While many homeowners may want to update and remodel their kitchen, if the roof needs fixing or the chimney has to be reappointed, then they should prioritize these necessary repairs over any cosmetic changes. This applies to both sellers and those who plan to stay in the home for years to come, as these essential repairs must be taken care of before they cause the house to lose value. It is vital to look after the minor problems such as a leaky faucet or a loose cabinet to ensure that your house doesn’t undergo any long-term damage. As soon as you notice a problem, fix it since this will help avoid a larger expense later on.

Cosmetic Touch-Ups: A paint job, new double-paned windows and new carpeting will increase the price of a house virtually dollar-for-dollar. Neutral colored paint and eliminating clutter can make a world of difference. However, don’t go overboard with home improvement projects that will push a house too much above the current average value of homes in your neighborhood. It is important to make sure that your home has standards that are in-line with the other houses in the neighborhood, but you do not want to price yourself out of the market.

Home Improvement Professionals For Hire: Whether you need an architect, gardener, interior designer or contractor, it is always important to do a background check prior to hiring a professional. Get references from family or friends and interview them – checking is critical. The most important quality to look for is trust, not initial price. Coldwell Banker Concierge offers homeowners referrals to local home improvement professionals.

Funding Options: Coldwell Banker Mortgage recommends a number of options for homeowners looking to upgrade their homes, including a cash-out refinance, a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage. Homeowners can contact Coldwell Banker Mortgage for current interest rates and mortgage prices, repayment options, and for professional mortgage advice. For more information, homeowners can go to www.coldwellbankermortgage.com.

About John Davis:
John Davis is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), New Jersey Association of Realtors (NJAR) ,The West Essex Board of Realtors (WEBOR), Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS), New Jersey Multiple Listing Service (NJMLS). He serves to help Home Buyers and Sellers in Essex, Bergen & Passic Counties and has been awarded Agent of the Month on several occasions.. You can learn more about John Davis and search for homes all over the state on his website at www.johnwdavisjr.com additionally you can receive valuable Safety, Home among other topics at his blog which is updated daily at http://blog.johnwdavisjr.com

About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2006, Franchise Times magazine’s prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system number one in real estate for the seventh straight year and number eight among all franchisors. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,800 residential real estate offices and more than 120,000 sales associates in 41 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge® Service Program. Coldwell Banker Mortgage is one of the largest telephone/web based lenders in the country. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, the world’s largest real estate franchisor. Realogy is owned by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., a leading private equity and capital markets investor. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. Each office is independently owned and operated.

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Coldwell Banker
John W. Davis Jr.
973-433-3095
www.johnwdavisjr.com
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