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Not All Home Improvements will Help Your Homes Property Value
If you want to prepare your home in thoughts of selling in the near future or making the right choices for resale even further down the road, think twice about doing the following home improvements:
1) TURNING YOUR GARAGE INTO A MAN CAVE – Believe it or not, that awesome hide-away for the kids or the football game can hurt the value if you are loosing your garage. It did happen to one of my sellers in the past. First they took away the garage for more living space (even though they left the door in). This change took away value mostly because it no longer conformed to the neighborhood even though the living space increased. The garage was in the basement and sometimes below grade finished living space does not always get a return on its cost (according to an appraiser I know). This property took a hit on the appraised value and my clients actually had to lower the price for the buyer to cover it. Not to mention the price hit but not having a garage is less attractive to buyers. So so many people want a garage, especially in Pennsylvania.
2) INSTALLING A DECK OR PATIO (This is something that you are better of doing) – If all your neighbors have a deck and you don’t that is typically a reason for the appraiser to give you a hit in value. You don’t confirm to the neighborhood comps. Who does not love outdoor space, anyway? I had a house that had trouble selling and I can tell you a buyer bought the neighbors listing because it was cheaper and had a deck. It was the same square footage. Ouch!
3) DONT REMOVE OR COMBINE BEDROOMS – If you have gone from 4 to 3 and have the same space, keep in mind you would be comparing to 3 bedroom homes which are typically lower in price thus loosing value. Square footage does not always matter. It has been my experience that buyers want a 4 bedroom rather than a 3. Alway keep that extra bedroom if you have it. It will generally give you more value.
4) DONT REMOVE CLOSETS – If you can make more or make a walk-in closet. If you remove a closet, the room may not always be considered a bedroom. Women today have so many clothes, and even some of those men do. Closets are always a perk!
5) REMOVE WALLPAPER – Wallpaper may not decrease the value on an appraisal but it will make the buyers walk 99 percent of the time and the home harder to sell. Wall paper is an immediate check list for work and it is a bear to get off no matter how you do it. It is very hard to change and get to the popular neutral colors . I have literally had people refuse to go into a house because the every wall in the home was wallpapered. There have been sellers that have issued credits to have wallpaper removed and have removed it all. Be wise.
6) POUR A NEW FRONT WALK – I have sold new construction homes and one builder in particular gives the buyer temporary pavers to start for the front walk way. The pavers can look nice if they are cared for. After a couple of years they often need to be reset and adjusted if you are keeping them. I asked an appraiser if the value increased if the seller poured new walk way for $5000. The answer was no. There is still a walk way just made of something else or replaced with different material. If it was a high end finish then maybe an increase in value.
Talk to your real estate agent before you do anything major if you are even considering moving. You will be glad you did.
Condo Living at Its Finest
Fabulous New Condo in Murrysville that is ready to move into. The community has a club house with a Kitchen, Gym, and Pool. Contact me to set up a showing. Amy 724*448*0085 cell/text
Fall In Allegheny Twp, PA
October 2015 -Allegheny Twp, PA
Photo by Amy S Myers
Great News for Pittsburgh Area Home Buyers
Get ready to jump in to the housing market as this is a great time to buy.
“Amid all the bad news about the housing market, there is some good news—for buyers. Plummeting prices have made homes more affordable. And a new tax break could provide a federal income tax credit of as much as $7,500 for qualified first-time buyers.”
Pittsburgh again noted as top city for affordable housing.
“Other big towns were much more affordable; among them, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas, Washington, and Las Vegas, where 60 to 80 percent of homes were within reach of median income families. ”
Pittsburgh and Suburbs Remain Stable
It is always an encouragement to hear that our area has good housing news. The housings prices in the Pittsburgh market have not had a severe depreciation or appreciation and this has kept us stable. Brandy Fabry, President of the Greater Allegheny-Kiski Area Board of Realtors, was quoted as saying, “Generally speaking, this is one of the more stable markets in the country.”
It is a buyer’s market still, lots of inventory, great prices and the mortgage rates are still attractive. Things are a little slow for sellers and new home construction, as there is a lot of inventory but experts expect that to pick up late next year. If you are on the fence and are thinking of buying, jump off into that great house. Great opportunities are out there.
Pittsburgh Light up Night Coming Up
This Friday, starts off the holiday season in Pittsburgh in festival of lights. This yearly celebration event includes tree lighting, Santa Spectacular, and the PPG Place ice rink opens officially. The night ends with a fireworks finale at Point State Park – starting at 9 pm.
I have been in the Pittsburgh area for 20 years now and every year I hear of light up night. For one reason or another, I never get to make it. And yes, I am still hoping to do so. Maybe this year will be the year. It is a great time for fun with family and friends. For photographers this is a great opportunity to get the city at its brightest.
Pittsburgh Light Up Night details (Friday, November 21, 2008)
If you get to go tell me about it.
For 2009, Pittsburgh comes in as one of the Best Places to Raise Kids
For 2009, Pittsburgh comes in as one of the Best Places to Raise Kids in the state of Pennsylvania. BusinessWeek just released their second annual list of best places to raise your kids and Pittsburgh made it.
BW worked with OnBoard Informatics, a Manhattan-based provider of real estate analysis, and concluded each state’s most affordable towns when raising children. The analysis was compiled with cities containing 50,000 residents and family median income of $40K to $100K. Other factors came into play as well but affordability came in weighing strong.
Check out the article and see if you have friends and family in some of the other ranked cities.
Photo Copyright 2008, By Amy S. Myers
Attractive Financing Programs Are Still Out There
You know with all the things going on in the financial markets I was quite surprised to get an email from the financing company in our office informing me that 100% financing is out there. Sure there may be some qualifications but wow that is great!
It is available for Select Buyers and Properties through USDA Rural Development Programs.
– 100% Financing Off of the Appraised Value
– No Monthly Mortgage Insurance
– No Cash Reserves Required
– No Limit on Gift Money or Seller Concessions
– There is Flexible Credit and Qualifying Guidelines.
Pricing a Home
You know I visit seller’s and everyone has their own reason’s and needs for selling their home. Did you know that the number one thing that sells a home is the price.  Of course, we all want a great price for our home but a seller does need to be realistic. You need to ask your agent to get comparable homes in the neighborhood that have recently sold. Right now it is certainly a buyer’s market.
Your home should be priced properly to avoid getting stale on the market. The most important time for a listing is the first 30 days. If you listed your home at a higher price to start don’t leave it that way too long. If you have it competitively priced, you can increase your changes of getting multiple offers, especially if this is done right when first going on the market.