You may have heard that Spring is the best time of year to sell your house, and with low interest rates that are predicted to rise, this Spring is predicted to be a very strong real estate market in Pittsburgh. If you are thinking of completing some projects so you can upgrade into your dream home, here is a list of what we recommend to maximize your return.
We stuck to a budget of $6,000 in upgrades for the list below, but we would be more than happy to help you decide which projects to do in your budget to meet your goals.
Paint - $200: Pick up a 5 gallon bucket of a light & neutral paint, a bright white gallon of paint for baseboards, some good brushes & rollers, and a lot of drop cloths! This task will take some time, but has the highest return for dollar spent.
Carpet - $2,500: New carpet helps a home feel fresh, clean, and updated. Choose a decent carpet pad with a less expensive carpet in a light, neutral color.
Lighting - $500: One way to help your home feel bright and inviting is to make sure the lighting is in great shape! Upgrade the light fixture in your dining space, and make sure all of your light bulbs are working, and are energy efficient. Little details like bright white grounded outlets and new faceplate covers go a long ways as well. If you're doing anything electrical, make sure you turn off your power and call a pro when needed!
Kitchen - $1,500: As long as your cabinet doors open and close without a problem, it isn't worth the investment to upgrade cabinets. In the kitchen, focus on new hardware for your cabinets and an updated countertop to make the kitchen pop. Finish your kitchen with a nice faucet for your sink-- this will elevate your room like a good piece of jewelry with a little black dress!
Flowers - $100: Nothing cheers up a home as much as flowers in a vase or garden. Pick up some annuals for your yard, and add house plants and cut flowers to every room you can. If you don't have a green thumb, you can opt for artificial plants inside so you have one less thing to worry about!
Clean. Clean. Clean.- $200: Clean your house as well as you can, and pack up everything you won't need until you're in your dream home. A good rule of thumb is to pack or give away 1/2 of what you have out. Before you officially put your house on the market, hire a professional to get a deep clean. A nicely presented home with the table set, fresh flowers, emptied countertops, and minimal personal belongings out creates an image of easy living and helps buyers picture themselves at home.
Greenfield Market Update: Winter 2016.
Although many markets slow down through the winter months, Greenfield home prices continued to steadily increase throughout 2016 through the very end. The fourth quarter of 2016 average home prices were up 16% from the fourth quarter of 2015 ($142,000 average 2015 vs $165,000 average 2016), which is a tremendous increase compared to 6% increase nationally and 12% increase in the rest of Pittsburgh.
The 2017 market is predicted to continue growing, but not as aggressively, predicted 4 - 6% increase in Pittsburgh as a whole.
If you have questions about selling your home this Spring, we are ready to listen. Give us a call, and we will work to understand your goals and partner together to reach them.
Cheers,
Julie & Ted