Home Improvements That Pay Off for Millburn-Short Hills Home Sellers

The latest Cost vs. Value report has some eye-opening facts about how your home upgrades translate into dollars! This information is good to know if you are thinking of selling your Millburn-Short Hills or Summit, NJ home now or somewhere down the road. The report finds that exterior projects pay off the best! Here are the highlights!

1. Steel exterior door replacement is the project expected to return the most money, with an estimated 85.6% of costs recouped upon resale. This is also the least expensive project in the report, costing little more than $1,100 on average.

2. Updating your home's exterior siding can return 71% of costs. Different types of siding offer varying degrees of return; fiber cement siding returns 79.3% of costs. Vinyl siding returns 72.9% to your wallet.

3. Replacing old, beat-up garage doors improve curb appeal and also pay you back pretty well. If you go with a mid-range or upscale garage door replacement, you can expect to recover about 75% of your costs.

4. As far as interior projects go, kitchen remodeling remains the number one interior project for return on the money. The rule of thumb here is to keep it sensible. A minor kitchen remodeling project has an average national cost of $19,000 and will return about 75.4% of costs to your wallet.

What is the least bang for the buck? Per the national averages, a home office offers the least return for the money, at only 44%. Even though working from home has become more common, this type of feature appeals to a smaller percentage of home buyers. 

If you are preparing to sell your Millburn-Short Hills home, you should obtain a comparative market analysis to find out your home's price range in today's market before you make major improvements. I will provide you with a net sheet to show your estimated proceeds after the home sale. I will counsel you on what improvements are most likely to benefit your home sale and your bottom line!

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate professional, I will provide the expert guidance you need for a successful home sale! Contact me today, and let my 18 years of experience be your market advantage!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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5 Easy Ways to Catch Home Buyer Attention in Millburn-Short Hills NJ!

It's a New Year! If selling your Millburn-Short Hills or Summit, NJ home is one of your goals for 2013, I can help! In fact, I have 5 tips for attracting home buyer attention that you can put to use right away. I'll get to those in a moment!

First, I want to let you know that before you spend money on home updates, you should obtain a comparative market analysis to find out your home's price range in today's market.

You should also obtain a net sheet that estimates your proceeds after expenses are subtracted from the sale. This is all part of a listing presentation, which I offer for free, and with no obligations.

Even if you are not ready to sell this instant, getting this data now helps you make wise decisions about where to spend money on updates - or if you should spend money at all. Having some idea of your home's competitive position on the market gives you a starting point. When you are ready to sell, we will update the CMA and the net sheet before you determine a listing price.

Whether you are thinking of selling or your home is already on the market, here are some inexpensive ways you can draw home buyer attention!

1. Look at your home objectively. Take exterior and interior photos, and imagine a buyer looking at these photos online. What stands out, for better or worse? If you see clutter, garbage cans and overgrown shrubs, start by removing these negative impressions.

2. Exterior details are the first thing your buyer will notice. Look at your exterior lighting, mailbox, house number, front door, welcome mat, ect. They should be in good condition and be attractive accents. A handsome front door with gleaming hardware makes a great statement. Worn-out storm doors should be replaced.

3. Kitchen updates provide the most return for the money. You can make simple changes to update the appearance, such as painting cabinets and drawers and installing new handles. De-clutter counter tops and cabinets. Over-stocked kitchens look smaller than they really are.

4. Make room in your closets and storage areas so that buyers can see open space. If you're full to the brim, buyers may assume your home lacks adequate storage space. You may need to store some belongings at the home of a friend or relative, or temporarily rent a storage unit.

5. Add interior details for color, vibrancy and a sense of "new."  Seasonal, silk floral arrangements or fresh flowers brighten any table. Set the dining room table as if welcoming guests. Each room should have a focal point, and you can flip through home decor magazines for great ideas. Display new guest towels in washrooms, add new accent rugs to the floor.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. I will be happy to provide suggestions specific to your home!
 
As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate professional, I will provide the expert guidance you need for a successful home sale. Real estate is a four-season business - I can help you sell your home in Essex and Union County any time of year, in any market!  

Contact me today, and let my 18 years of experience be your market advantage!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Staging your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home for fall

Staging is an important part of selling your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home. By giving your home a makeover of sorts you can make it more attractive to potential buyers. This can lead to the home being sold more quickly and for more money than it would've gone for otherwise. Because staging is relatively inexpensive and easy to do, it is valuable and has a high return on investment. Staging your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home according to the season can be even more helpful.

Autumn is quickly coming. Here are fall tips for staging your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home:

Pay extra attention to the yard

You never know when a potential buyer will drive by to take a look at the house from the outside. If your house is listed, you want the yard to be clean and free of debris, including dead leaves. That means in fall months, raking or leaf blowing is very important. Check your yard every single day and make sure it is presentable. Also pay attention to gutters. A gutter full of leaves sends a message that your home isn't kept up well, even if it may be. Clean the gutters as often as necessary.

Brighten up the place

Ask anyone--natural light helps sell a home. There is less natural light in fall and winter. Replace dark paint with light, bright colors that reflect the sunshine to make the most of the natural light you're still getting. Swap out dark or thick blinds and curtains with light, airy fabric that lets in natural light. Trim trees and bushes that block sun light from streaming in the windows. Hold showings and open houses earlier so there is still plenty of light when potential buyers come over.

Take advantage of season-specific decorating

Don't go overboard here. Halloween decorations can look cheap or, even worse, offend certain buyers. Do, however, buy pumpkins and gourds for natural, season-specific decor. Put a pumpkin on the front step and arrange a centerpiece using gourds and flowers in fall colors. Light a pumpkin or cinnamon scented candle to provide a comforting scent that makes guests feel right at home.

Hopefully these tips help you stage your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home this fall. Do not hesitate to contact me if you want more guidance on selling your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home, or picking out a new one to buy!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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