Thursday, May 27, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
HOME IMPROVEMENT "DON'TS
THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN DO THAT CAN ACTUALLY LOWER THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME OR MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SELL. HERE ARE A FEW RULES TO KEEP IN MIND.
DO IT WELL, OR DON'T DO IT AT ALL
You may be tempted to do a lot of work yourself to save money. That is fine if you can do a good job. If doing it yourself means a sloppy paint job or bubbles in the vinyl flooring, then I suggest hiring a professional. Hiring an expert can often be cheaper and faster in the long run. This is especially important when dealing with electrical systems or plumbling problems
--- Bryan Vogt Strano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Swansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Bellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Scott AFB PCS Relocation --- Labels: Home improvements
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 11:55 AM
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
TRENDS TO WATCH
A more recent hot remodeling trend is the "great room", combining the kitchen, dining room, and family room into one larger living area. While lagging behind kitchen and bath remodels, it is definitely a trend on the rise. Living rooms, family rooms and formal dining rooms, on the other hand, are diminishing in popularity.
Another relatively new wrinkle is the home office. With more home based businesses and more companies allowing employees to telecommute, more people are looking for office ready space in their homes. A recent survey conducted by Builder magazine found that nearly a third of buyers in their 20's, 30's, and 40's plan to use a room as a home office. Other rooms that are showing up on more buyer's wish lists are exercise and media rooms.
Questionable projects include fireplace additions and installation of elaborate security systems. You can find professionals who will argue for and against both of these projects. With concerns about home safety on the rise, security systems appear to be moving into the "desirable" column.
Many of these projects are relatively inexpensive and will easily pay for themselves. With some projects, you may not recoup your investment, but you will have removed impediments to a sale. If you do not take care of things like leaky plumbing, drafty windows or outdated fixtures, you are giving the buyer ammunition to use against you during negotiations.
--- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation--- Labels: great room, home office, media room, trends
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:36 PM
Monday, May 24, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
THE BEDROOM
For most people, the master bedroom is the third most important room in the house. If you have a large home with four or five small bedrooms and the floorplan allows for it, you might consider combining two rooms into a master bedroom. If you have a two or three bedroom home and a decent sized lot, you might consider adding another bedroom.
--- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 10:01 AM
Friday, May 21, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
THE BATHROOM
New fixtures, wall tile and flooring can make a big difference. If the bathtub is in poor condition you can replace it, but a less expensive option may be to re-enamel it. If you keep the old tub, at least regrout and recaulk it. A good bathroom remodel or expansion can easily return more than 100% of the cost when you sell. If you are feeling ambitious, adding a half-bath or a second bath to a one bedroom house is another option to consider, space allowing. Whatever the family size, one bathroom never seems to be adequate to most people. --- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:10 PM
Thursday, May 20, 2010
3311 Mill Park, Millstadt, Illinois
 New Price!!!!!! $225,000 MLS#3005581 Look at this 3200 sq ft 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, ranch home located on a cul-de-sac, next to a park. Vaulted ceilings give this home a spacious, airy feel. A sliding door leads to a concrete patio overlooking a large green space contributing to the privacy of this home. The finished basement, with a bedroom, allows plenty of space for family and/or friends. At only 3 yrs old, this home will need no updating. Come in and take a look! http://bryanvogt.com.idxre.com/idx/listings.cfm?cid=4294&pc=MLS&sr=1&gsr=1&sb=pd--- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 1:24 PM
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
SQUEEZING EVERY LAST DOLLAR FROM YOUR HOME SALE
NOW LETS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT IMPROVEMENTS ON A ROOM-BY-ROOM BASIS, STARTING WITH THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT ROOMS.Kitchens and bathrooms have long been the top two remodeling projects, and you can expect them to remain so for years to come. They are the rooms that most consistently make or break a sale. A new or updated kitchen, a sparkling bathroom... these are features that help to sell a home. THE KITCHENIf you can get away with a remodel rather than a new kitchen, do it. Because the kitchen is so important, sellers sometimes over-improve them to the point where there is no chance of recouping their investment when they move. Do not fall into this trap. Add a new coat of paint, refinish the cabinets and counters, change drawer pulls and handles, install new appliances. put down a new floor, but do not gut and start over if it is not necessary. When adding new appliances, be aware that many buyers consider brand names to be an important factor. If you do not paint everything, at least repaint the ceiling a bright white. You would be surprised how much it can lighten up a room. Another great way to brighten the kitchen is to add a skylight. If you choose to put in a new kitchen, keep in mind what sells. Buyer are looking for lots of cabinets and counter space, new appliances, and an easy flow between the sink, food prep areas, stove and refrigerator. Think , sunny, spacious and clean. --- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 1:43 PM
Friday, May 07, 2010
Stonebridge Villas in O'Fallon, Illinois
 NEW VILLA IN STONEBRIDGE$212000MLS# 3006542 New!! You will love the freedom of no outside maintenance with this roomy 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa. The cathedral ceilings lend to the light, airy feel. The gas fireplace adds to the cozy feel on those cool winter evenings. It is close to the interstate for an easy commute. Association dues cover water, sewer, trash, homeowners insurance and all outside building and property maintenance. http://bryanvogt.com.idxre.com/idx/listings.cfm?cid=4294&pc=MLS&sr=1&gsr=1&sb=pd --- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 1:59 PM
New in Stonebridge Villas, O'Fallon Illinois
NEW VILLA IN O'FALLON $240000MLS#3006537 New!! You will love the freedom of no outside maintenance with this roomy 3 bedroom, 3 bath villa. The cathedral ceilings lend to the light, airy feel. The gas fireplace adds to the cozy feel on those cool winter evenings. It is close to the interstate for an easy commute. Association dues cover water, sewer, trash, homeowners insurance and all outside building and property maintenance. http://bryanvogt.com.idxre.com/idx/listings.cfm?cid=4294&pc=MLS&sr=1&gsr=1&sb=pd --- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 1:41 PM
Monday, May 03, 2010
Troy, Illinois Horse Farm
.JPG) NEW PRICE!!!!$228,000MLS#3001934You will love this mini horse farm. The 40x120 barn has 12 stalls, tack room, water, electric, & ½ bath. Fenced pasture and riding arena. 3 bedroom home has a walk out basement with a bath. For those winter evenings, a wood burning stove in the living room adds a cozy feeling. An atrium door leads to the deck that overlooks beautiful wooded land, great for entertaining or for quiet time, enjoying nature. http://bryanvogt.com.idxre.com/idx/listings.cfm?cid=4294&pc=MLS&sr=1&gsr=1&sb=pd- Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate(618) 355-5824--- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleSwansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleBellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleScott AFB PCS Relocation---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:09 PM
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