LA Property Solutions

Silver Lake Real Estate Market Update: September 2010

Jenny Durling — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:01:04 +0000

Silver Lake Real Estate Market Update: September 2010

Well priced Silver Lake real estate is selling relatively quickly. There is not a particularly large inventory homes for sale in the area right now. The mls shows the current active listing inventory to be only 52 homes. The follow chart shows Silver Lake Real Estate Market activity for the Month of August, 2010.

Now let’s take a look at some year to date figures from January 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010. These figures are for single family homes in Silver Lake only and to not include Silver Lake condos or income properties.

Silver Lake Home Sales Year-to-date from January 1st, 2010 through August 31, 2010

Number of Single Family Homes SOLD: 80

Highest price – $1,890,000

Median price -$735,000

Average price -$733,989

Lowest price – $172,000

Average Days on the Market – 43

Average Square footage 1,533.44

Average price per square foot- $438.80

Silver Lake prices vary by location, school district, property size and condition. The following chart shows that the majority of sale of Silver Lake single family homes this year have sold between $500,000 and $1,000,000. If you have been hoping to find a house in Silver Lake for less than $500,000 you’ll see that relatively few homes have sold in that range. This price range is not only very competitive, but the majority of the properties are major fixers, very small, and/or in less desirable areas.

For more information on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate, HAFA certified, E-pro
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
info@LApropertySolutions.com
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Landscaping Can Make a Difference

Jenny Durling — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:07:20 +0000

Landscaping can make a difference in selling your home. Many homeowners focus too much on improving their interiors and overlook the fact that it is their front yard that creates the essential first impression.

A well-landscaped lawn can make the difference in a potential buyer’s decision to step inside your home or not. It implies to the buyer that the homeowner cares for his or her home and that the interiors would most likely be clean and well-maintained too. Great landscaping can add as much as 5-11% to your home’s market value!

If you are planning on landscaping to improve your property, come up with a list of things that need to be done then start on the project right away. If you are going to sell your home, the best time to do landscaping is at least a month before you put the home up for sale. Remember, plants and flowers take time to grow, so do your landscaping well in advance.

The most common landscaping tasks a homeowner might need to add on their to-do list are:

· Rake and mow the lawn

· Weed the garden

· Plant ornamental flowers, shrubs

· Trim the bushes and tree limbs

· Wash and repaint the patio or deck

· Remove mildew or mold around the exterior of the home

For the clueless first-timers, here are a few tips on landscaping to help your home sell faster:

1. Use Container Plants. Container plants add considerable interest to patios and doorways where people pass by the most. Since container plants are easy to move around, the design possibilities are endless.

2. Retouch the mulch. A fresh layer of mulch can do a lot in sprucing up your garden beds. It enhances the contrast of the plants surrounding it, making the colors pop out. Mulch is also very cheap and easy to apply. Try bark- it comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

3. Play with colors. That means, invest more on the flowering plants. They say yellow catches the eye and will lead potential buyers straight to your door. Playing with a variety of colors can make a more interesting and appealing garden.

4. Cut and trim shrubs and tree limbs. Nothing says neglect like a tree full of dead branches. Put your pruning skills to use all year round and make sure to trim your shrubs and trees regularly, not just when you are about to sell your home.

5. Add outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting adds drama to the home, makes it more visible at night (for potential buyers who might drive through after sunset), and extends the home’s space after dark. It creates images of cozy family get-togethers, outdoor barbecues, and evening parties in the minds of would-be buyers. Use low voltage lighting to save up on electricity costs. You can hire a professional to help with the lighting design and installation. Many times local gardeners are able and willing to do this type of work if you are on a budget.

Proper landscaping will definitely make a big impact on your potential buyers. It is the key in determining whether they would want to go ahead and step inside your home or not. Remember, a well landscaped home lures in potential buyers while a poorly maintained yard turns them off.

For information on preparing your house for sale or buying or selling property in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate, HAFA certified, E-pro
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
info@LApropertySolutions.com
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Aroma Restaurant in Silver Lake – definitely don’t curb appraise this one!

Jenny Durling — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:13:40 +0000

Aroma Restaurant in Silver Lake – definitely don’t curb appraise this one!

Last night I had the good fortune to enjoy dinner at Aroma Restaurant in Silver Lake. I was there with a group to celebrate a friend’s birthday or I may never have tried this fabulous spot. Aroma is set in a strip mall at the corner of Sunset and Silver Lake Blvd. Talk about a surpise! I was reminded of the old saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. Who would have known such great food and service would be inside a place with such an unassuming exterior.

If you are a fan of Italian, I highly recommend Aroma Restaurant. From the hot, fresh bread to the tiramisu, we were not disappointed. My husband had one of the evening’s specials- ‘surf and turf’ which consisted of a delicious sirloin steak and butterflied shrimp and veggies sautéed to perfection. My choice was the seafood pasta- also delicious and enough to serve an army. Needless to say I came home with leftovers.

Our party took up almost the entire restaurant (Aroma Restaurant probably on seats about 30 people) and between us we tried most of the items on the menu plus a few of the specials including sea bass and lamb chop entrees and one of the most delicious mushroom and cheese mousses I’ve ever tasted!

The next time you are in the mood for Italian, give tAroma a try. I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed. You’ll find it at 2903 W Sunset Blvd, in Silver Lake.

For more dining local dining ideas and information on buying or selling property in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate, HAFA certified, E-pro
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
info@LApropertySolutions.com
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

What is a HAFA and can it help with the short sale of my Los Angeles Home?

Jenny Durling — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:42:42 +0000

What is a HAFA and can it help with the short sale of my Los Angeles Home?

HAFA stands for Homes Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives. The purpose of HAFA is to help home owners avoid foreclosure through short sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosure. What started out as a voluntary program for streamlining the short sale process is now mandated for 90+% home loans serviced by lenders. The program is effective until December 31, 2012.

HAFA is available to those who:

Do not qualify for a trial mortgage modification under the Making Home Affordable Program
Have tried but not successfully completed the trial period for their modification;
Miss at least two consecutive payments during their modification period

Request a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. (If the borrower makes a good faith effort to sell the property but is not successful, a servicer may consider a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure in which the borrower voluntarily transfers ownership of the property to the servicer.)

If you can no longer afford you home and want to avoid the negative effects of foreclosure you should determine if you qualify for HAMP -Home Affordable Modification Program. If you do not qualify for a modification, HAFA could be the right option for you. The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Program offers financial incentives to encourage and increase participation of mortgage servicers and the investors to complete a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure in a timely and smooth fashion. The home owner is relieved of the mortgage debt and is also able to walk away with some cash in their pocket. This is different than a ‘regular’ short sale in which the seller is not allowed to receive any compensation at all. The amount the seller receives depends on the type of loan they have and which program their servicer falls under.

To be eligible for a HAFA short sale, all of the following requirements must be met:

Property must be borrower’s principal residence
Loan must be a first trust deed originated before 2009
Loan must be either delinquent or default must be reasonably foreseeable
The unpaid balance of the loan must be $729,750 or less for single-family home (or higher amounts for 2-to-4 units)
Borrower must be eligible for, but unable to complete, a loan modification under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).

Like so many Federal programs, there is really nothing straightforward about the HAFA program. Much depends on who services the loans. Freddie Mac has different requirements than Fannie Mae which are different than non-government entities’ versions of the program. Mortgage servicers and investors use the Federal requirements of HAFA to write their own guidelines and determine how to implement the program. There is a lot of information available at http://makinghomeaffordable.gov but before making any decisions, it’s best to speak to a professional about your current situation and what options are available to you.

If you are having trouble making ends meet, don’t let the bank foreclose on you! I urge you to contact me directly at 213-215-4758 and I will go over the specifics of your situation with you and help you determine your best course of action.

For more information on shorts sales in Los Angeles County and buying or selling property in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate, HAFA certified, E-pro
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
info@LApropertySolutions.com
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Silver Lake’s 30th Annual Sunset Junction Street Fair takes place this weekend, August 21 and 22

Jenny Durling — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:34:54 +0000

Silver Lake’s 30th Annual Sunset Junction Street Fair takes place this weekend, August 21 and 22

Silver Lake’s Annual Sunset Junction Street Fair if one of the largest celebrations of diversity in Los Angeles. The Sunset Junction Neighborhood Alliance was created to acknowledge the diversity of the neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park and Los Feliz. Long recognized as an area where artists, musicians, students, straight, gays and people of all ages live in harmony and respect for each others way of life- Sunset Junction is the perfect location for such a celebration. A huge number of people gather at this annual event and this year will be no different with and expected attendance of 75,000-100,000 each day.

Besides being a great place to get out for rides, attractions food booth and tons of live music, Silver Lake’s Sunset Junction Street Fair is also a good cause. All proceeds benefit Sunset Junction area youth programs. These programs provide work training, art classes, after schools programs and more to the area’s under-served and at-risk youth from the community. So come out on the weekend an have fun while supporting a good cause at the same time.

Here’s the schedule of events:

Saturday, August 21st, From 11am to 11pm
Sunday, August 22nd, From 11am to 10pm

3700-4300 Sunset Boulevard
4000-4200 Santa Monica Boulevard
Silver Lake, Los Angeles California 90029

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

BATES STAGE HOOVER STAGE SANBORN STAGE

1:00 1:00 12:00

WHITE APPLE TREE BALANDUGU KAN DJ PELAU

2:00 2:00 1:30

FEROCIOUS FEW JIMMIE & MORAL GROOVE DJ JEREMY SOLE

3:00 3:00 3:30

HANNI EL KHATIB RHYTHM ROOTS ALLSTARS MALECO COLLECTIVE

4:00 4:00 5:00

SAINT MOTEL ORGONE B-SIDE PLAYERS

5:00 5:00 6:30

CHRIS PIERCE MEDUSA BIG DADDY KANE

6:30 7:00 8:00

DAM FUNK EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING FISHBONE

7:30 8:30 9:30

MILES DAVIS/ THE OHIO PLAYERS BAD BRAINS

BITCHES BREW RE-MIX

9:00

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY

ELECTRO DANCE STAGE THE FOLD STAGE/LOCALS ONLY (EDGECLIFFE)

1:00 1:00

CHRISTOPHER YATES CIRCUS THE SILVERLAKE CHORUS

3:00 2:00

HYPHY CRUNK MOSES CAMPBELL

4:15 3:00

DJ BRENT BOLTHOUSE SWEATERS

5:30 4:05

DJ ERIC CUBEECHEE ANDY CLOCKWISE

6:45 5:05

SPEAKER JUNKIES POLLYN

7:50 6:15

PARTY CRASHERS F/DJ EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

RUCKUS & CORY ENEMY

7:25

9:00 CHIEF

SHINY TOY GUNS — HYBRIDIGITAL

f/WILD CHILD 8:35

SPECIAL GUEST TBA

9:50

SPECIAL GUEST TBA

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

BATES STAGE HOOVER STAGE SANBORN STAGE

1:00 1:00 12:00

RAHEEM COHEN SPELLBOUND DJ WING KO

2:00 2:00 1:30

AURUM RAY RICKY RIVERA DJ CARLOS NINO

3:30 3:00 3:30

ROLLING RADIO PERMANENT ABILITY PALENKE SOUL TRIBE

5:00 4:00 5:00

GIRL IN A COMA FITZ & THE TANTRUMS BOBO MEETS RHETTAMATU

6:00 5:30 6:30

INSITE MAYER HAWTHORNE MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO

7:00 6:45 8:00

DIVISION MINUSCALA FREDDIE POOLE w/ ELLIS HALL LEE SCRATCH PERRYSilver Lake’s 30th Annual Sunset Junction Street Fair takes place this weekend, August 21 and 22

8:00 8:00

EDWARD SHARPE & THE WHISPERS

THE MAGNETIC ZEROS

ELECTRO DANCE STAGE THE FOLD STAGE/LOCALS ONLY (EDGECLIFFE)

1:00 12:00

CHRISTOPHER YATES CIRCUS GWENDOLYN & THE GOOD TIME BAND

3:00 1:00

DJ ERIC NEUTRON THE JANKS

4:00 2:00

DJ GUSTO WHEELHOUSE

5:00 3:00

DJ DEXTEROUS LESLIE & THE BADGERS

6:00 4:05

DJ SPLYCE RED CORTEZ

7:10 5:15

CC SHEFFIELD THE DEADLY SYNDROME

7:25 6:25

CAROLINE D’AMORE THE CRYSTAL ANTLERS

8:45 7:35

DJ DOC MARTIN SAM SPARRO

8:45

INFINITY (female fronted tribute to Journey)

For more on Silver Lake or for information on buying or selling property in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Two Adorable craftsman homes on a lot in Silver Lake

Jenny Durling — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:49:37 +0000

Two Adorable craftsman homes on a lot in Silver Lake

I’m a big fan of income property and recommend buying income property instead of a single family home as a great way to get into the Los Angeles real estate market. If you’ve been thinking about buying a house in Silver Lake and like the idea of having an income unit to help pay for the mortgage, you owe it to yourself to see this property. The Lightfoots’ listing at 2419 Berkeley Ave in Silver Lake may be just the place you’ve been waiting for.

These two restored California Bungalows are set high above the street giving them a private, secluded feeling. You don’t even need to walk up all the steps in front to get there as the property has with private alley access to parking in the back.

If you love old architecture like I do, you’ll be taken by the Arts and Crafts tile fireplace, wood floors and period wood details throughout both units. The property will be open tomorrow, Sunday August 14 from 2-5pm if you want to check it out. You can also call me and I will set up showing for you. It’s definitely worth a look and it’s priced at only $788,000!

To see this property or for more information on buying or selling property in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

ADVANTAGES OF A HOME WARRANTY

Jenny Durling — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:59:17 +0000

What are the advantages of a home warranty? Broken dishwashers, faulty heating systems, busted microwave ovens -these are the last things a new homeowner would want to worry about after settling into their new home. Having to spend on major repairs is a total nightmare for first time homebuyers since they find themselves virtually cash strapped after buying a home, with all their savings and money spent on the down payment and closing costs.

A brilliant solution to this problem, especially for first time home buyers without any experience in maintaining a home, is to get a home warranty.

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is an insurance that covers repair or replacement of major appliances and household items that break down. Home warranties are good for one year and are available to both home buyers and home owners. After a year, the home warranty policy can be renewed. It can be bought from a home warranty company such as First American (http://home-warranty.firstam.com ) or it can be given as a free incentive to the buyer by either the Realtor or the seller, as part of their benefits for the buyer.

How much does a home warranty cost?

Home warranties generally cost anywhere between $350-$600, depending on the number of household items covered. Home buyers looking for great deals on a home warranty can shop around to find special sales and discounts from a number of home warranty companies.

What household items are covered by the home warranty?

Built-in home appliances such as:

Home heating systems
Electrical wiring
Ceiling fans
Cooking range
Dishwashers
Microwave ovens
Water heaters
Plumbing systems
Garbage disposal units
Telephones

Additional coverage could also be bought for free-standing items such as:

Refrigerators
Air conditioners
Dryers
Washing machines
Swimming pools
Sauna or spas
Water pumps

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

Most home warranties have the same procedures, but a home buyer should do research on each company’s policy since their coverage may differ. Make sure to ask each company what items are specifically covered, which items are replaceable in case they cannot be repaired, and if upgrades are available.

1. Once a household item or appliance breaks down, the home owner calls the home warranty company and informs them of the problem.

2. The home warranty company calls one of its partner service providers.

3. The service provider sets an appointment with the home owner.

4. The service provider repairs the damaged appliance. If the item is beyond repair, the home warranty company may pay for a brand new replacement item and have it installed in the home. The extent of the coverage for replacing damaged items differs with each company.

5. The home owner pays a minimal trade service fee which is typically $50-60.

With the rising costs of maintaining and repairing a home, a home warranty is a good investment for any home owner. For a minimal cost, it could save you not just hundreds, but even thousands of dollars worth of repairs or replacements. Home warranties are particularly useful for tenant occupied properties.

For more information on home warranties and buying or selling property in Silver Lake, Silver Lake, Echo Park,Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

The Mews – small lot subdivision in Atwater Village

Jenny Durling — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:42:53 +0000

The Mews – small lot subdivision in Atwater Village

There’s another small lot subdivision in Los Angeles- this time in Atwater Village.

The Mews small lot subdivision is an eco-friendly community consisting of 23 brand new, fee-simple single family homes located in Atwater Village in the 4200 block of Perlita. The Mews Houses range in size from 1500 to 1600sf and have solar power and 2-car garages. Their open floor plans include high ceilings and walls of glass and open to private courtyards. The modern style homes were designed by award-winning architects Corsini and Stark.

Do I like these new Mews Houses in Atwater? Yes- I think they are really nice, look great and have really nice layouts. My problem is that the location of these homes does not command the prices they are asking. Currently there are only 2 units listed in the MLS (though many others are available). These two are both 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath. One is listed for $650,000 and the other is $675,000. Once again a developer is putting Silver Lake prices on homes outside of Silver Lake. Would you buy a house in a small lot subdivision on Perlita in Atwater Village if you could buy a home for the same price in Silver Lake? I certainly wouldn’t.

If the prices come down to something more in line with the location, the Mews Houses in Atwater should have no problem selling. Right now I just don’t see that happening.

To see any of the Mews Houses in Atwater Village or for more information on buying or selling property in Silver Lake, Echo Park,Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Short Sales In Los Angeles- Why a Short Sale is better than a foreclosure

Jenny Durling — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:52:16 +0000

Short Sales In Los Angeles- Why a Short Sale is better than a foreclosure

I’ve been exploring the Los Angeles Short Sale process, specifically short sales in the Silver Lake area. By now you know what a short sale is, what might qualify as a short sale hardship, and what goes into a short sale package.

If you are in the midst of financial issues and are having trouble paying your mortgage, a short sale is preferable to a foreclosure for a number a reasons. You may be feeling powerless and like everything is outside of your control. You can get some degree of control by working with an experienced Realtor and short selling your Los Angeles home. The worry of being evicted by losing your home to the bank can be eliminated if you are in the process of negotiating a short sale with your lender. The trustee’s auction can be postponed or cancelled completely during the short sale process.

Working with a qualified Los Angeles short sale agent to sell your home will allow you to determine your own escrow closing date, much like a normal sale once the short sale has been approved by the bank, giving you time to pack and move without fear of eviction. You can also save yourself from any potential embarrassment of losing your home to foreclosure.

One of the main reasons to short sell your Los Angeles home rather than let it go to foreclosure is to protect your credit rating as much as possible. A foreclosure has major negative effects on your credit and will stay on your report for 7 years or longer. A short sale is normally reported as a settled account, having a much lighter impact on your credit. A successful short sale could allow you to buy another home in as little as two years!

Don’t get me wrong, a short sale will definitely have a negative effect on your credit rating but it could allow you to buy another home much sooner than a foreclosure would. Fannie Mae requires a minimum of 2 years to re-establish credit after a short sale before allowing a new mortgage. However, if you meet specific criteria, you may be able to qualify for an FHA loan right away. FHA will loan to those who remained current in their mortgage and other installment debts throughout the short sale process, had a verifiable hardship that allowed for the short sale, and currently have a credit score of at least 620. A mortgage lender can give you complete list of requirements. Even if you don’t fit this profile, you may be eligible for a new FHA loan in as little as three years.

Think about the advantages of a short sale over a foreclosure before it’s too late and the decision is made for you. If you are in a tight position and are not sure if you qualify for a short sale in Silver Lake or surrounding areas, please contact me directly at 213-215-4758 and I will go over the specifics of your situation with you and make recommendations on your best course of action. For legal and tax advice you will need to speak with a CPA and/or attorney.

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
info@LApropertySolutions.com
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Simple Repairs to Help Your Home Show Better and Sell Faster

Jenny Durling — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:02:00 +0000

Simple Repairs to Help Your Home Show Better and Sell Faster

If you are planning on selling your home, you should consider doing some simple repairs to help your home show better and sell faster. Home repairs may seem costly at first, but it may bring you huge returns once you’ve sold your home for a better price than if you just sold your home as is.

A good first impression will help your home sell faster and at a better price. In general, potential buyers make their decision to buy a home on the first 30 seconds upon entering it. A well-maintained and pleasant-looking (not to mention, pleasant-smelling) home sells 30-50% faster than those that are only sold as is. That is why it is so important to make home repairs before selling.

But before you jump into a major home repair, you should first consider some factors such as cost and returns. Will you be able to get a return on the home repairs you invested in with the current market condition and selling price of your home? There are no hard rules on this, but you may get some guidelines from credible sources such as The National Association of Realtors. They publish a Cost vs. Value Report with Remodeling Magazine every year, featuring different home repair costs and returns in four regions, as well as a national average.

For starters, have a thorough inspection of your home – interiors, as well as exterior – and make a list of items that are worn out, defective, and broken. You may be surprised to find out that some buyers get turned off by ripped or soiled carpets in the entryway, so don’t overlook these seemingly small things.

Here are some minor home repairs you need to make before selling:

1. Walls and Ceilings

Buyers look at every small detail of a home, including ceilings. You wouldn’t want them to see signs of leaks, water stains, or grease and smoke stains. A fresh coat of paint will do the trick. Make sure that all holes and cracks are also patched. You could use fibreglass tape covered with joint compound and sand for large cracks.

If your walls are dark, have them repainted in a soft neutral color such as beige or light tan. Neutral colors are very pleasing to the eye and makes the room look bigger.

If you have wallpaper, it would be best to remove it since not all buyers might agree with your personal taste of wallpaper color and design. Remember, your home should look neutral to the buyer – the less traces of personal touch, the better. The best way to remove it is to steam it off with a wallpaper remover steamer.

2. Floors

Replace old and worn out carpeting. If your floor is plywood, your carpet should ideally be light tan. Neutral colors are your safest bet for attracting different types of buyers.

If your ceramic tiles have some chips and cracks, replace them, but not with ceramic since it’s too expensive. Opt for simpler, less expensive tile replacements. Clean moldy/ dingy grouts. If bleaching doesn’t work, consider replacing the grouts.

3. Kitchen

According to the Remodeling Magazine, kitchen remodels return nearly 100%. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend tons on kitchen repairs and renovation. The mid-range or minor kitchen remodels actually have higher returns than the high-end ones since most buyers wouldn’t want to pay extra for high-end and state-of-the art appliances.

If your cabinets are outdated or badly need repair, you might want to consider replacing them. If this is out of your budget, you could also consider resurfacing them by adding a thin veneer to the cabinet’s surface. You may also repaint the cabinets to make them look new and fresh. Even just replacing knobs and handles will work wonders in making your cabinets look more updated.

Buyers get turned off by leaky faucets and stained sinks, so make sure to replace or repair defective faucets and clean your sinks. You don’t have to replace your countertops with granite. A simple laminate would do.

4. Bathrooms

For remodelled bathrooms, the national average for returns is 100%, meaning installing new floors, lights, shower and sink fixtures will pay off.

5. Roofs

Buyers don’t want the extra cost of replacing a roof, so if necessary, replace your roof if it is beyond repair

6. Household systems and appliances

Repair or replace broken appliances and HVAC systems. If your light fixtures and ceiling fans are broken, busted, or a bit outdated, replace them with new, modern-looking ones. Replace broken windows, window coverings, curtains, and old linens. Remember to keep the colors neutral. You may put a bit of accent color through the throw pillows or other accents such as a vase or centrepiece.

7. Curbside Appeal

Most of your potential buyers’ first impression of your home would be formed even before they step inside it. Even if you spend a fortune on home repairs but neglect your lawn, the buyer might not even want to step inside!

Mow your lawn, patch any cracks in your sidewalk, replace jammed doors, doorknobs, and locks, repaint and fix the fence, and trim the bushes. Flowers also give added appeal so it would be a wise investment to plant flowers. Yellow flowers are said to evoke a buying emotion, so you might want to consider planting Marigolds, which are very affordable.

Conclusion

In general, buyers want a home that needs little or no repairs, less maintenance, and is ready for occupancy. When they walk into a home, they have to feel that they could live in it and move in anytime. So before selling your home, make sure to inspect it and make those minor home repairs. It will definitely pay off by helping your home sell faster and at top dollar.

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com