1. Clean and declutter  It is absolutely the first and most important procedure to make your home inviting to a potential buyer.  Take everything off the shelves in the kitchen and put them inside the closets.  Have a smooth, clean surface on all the counters.  If there is a window in the kitchen, have it washed, both inside and out if possible.  Bathrooms are particularly guilty of clutter.  Put all toothpastes, gels, hair conditioners inside the cabinets.  Clean and deodorize the entire bathroom and put fresh, if possible, new towels on the racks.  Bedrooms should be devoid of dirty clothes, beds should be made and carpets vacuumed.  The living room should look as though it is ready for company. Cost…$100 to $200.  Home Price Increase  $1500 to $2000
2. Home Staging  If you have furniture that doesn’t show well, or too much furniture, or if your rooms don’t show that well..it might be good idea to hire a home stager.  She or he will arrange your rooms with beauty in mind.  These people can be tremendously creative.  Cost…$300-$400  Home Price Increase $1500 to $2000
3. Lighten and Brighten If your furniture is dark and the rooms seem dark, it is a wonderful idea to buy inexpensive slip covers and lampshades in soft, light shades.  Your rooms will take on a new glow and will look more attractive. $200 to $300.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
4. Landscape front and back  All dead plants should be removed and replaced with inexpensive plants, fresh from the nursery.  Buy some mulch while you are at it and make sure you mow the lawn.  Cost $300 to $400. Home Price Increase $1500 to $2000
5. Repair Plumbing  You never know when a potential buying walking through will decide to turn on a faucet or flush the toilet.  Make sure all the plumbing works right…no leeky faucets, etc.  Cost $300 to $400.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
6. Update electrical  Make sure your electricity is up to code and all your outlets are correcrt. $300 to $400.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
7. Replace or Shampoo Carpet   There is not bigger turnoff, than stained, dirty carpet.  If the carpeting is beyond cleaning, a store like Home Depot or a store carrying remnants will be able to sell you carpeting cheaply.  This is a big deal  I can estimate the cost at $400 to $ 500 per room.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
8. Paint Interior You can brighten and freshen or home  with just a can of paint.  The cost is less if you do it your self or cost $500 to $750 with some help.  Home Price Increase $1500to $2000
9.  Repair Damaged Floors  Cost estimate $500-$750  Home Price Increase $1500-$2000
10. Update Kitchen  You don’t have to do a whole job.  Just new appliances are great and the stores may even include installation.   Cost depending on the appliances…$1000 to $1500 Home Price Increase $$2000 to $3000
11. Update Bathrooms  New faucets, new toilet seats, change out wall paper to neutral, new towel racks, new bathtub if you need it.  Cost estimate $750-$1000  Home Price Increase $1000-$1500      

    12.  Paint Exterior  Only if necessary and this is not always possible in a planned development.  But getting a touch up by a professional will estimate Cost at $750 to $1000 and the Home Price Increase will be $1500-$2000   

Any one of these suggestions can make a big difference in the presentation of your home.  Call me any further advice or hints for home improvement!

Jasmine polyanthum

For the past several days, I have been trying to find beautiful Japanese plants for my front garden, to no avail.

There are no great nurseries in north Dade County.  This would be a great start up business for someone with a green thumb and great interest in landscaping and plants.  So many homes in Aventura are townhouses which lend themselves perfectly for the formation of Japanese style gardens which have the history of creating  great beauty in small spaces.

Everytime we add something different and beautiful to our homes, we add value.  Homeowners should always be thinking of how to keep their homes fresh and lovely.  Great to live in lovely surroundings and important to keep it that way for the day you want to sell and move to something even more lovely.

If you are interested in Asian gardens, please contact me.  If you have sources, please contact me.

High Impact Windows

Many of my clients are asking me if they should improve their home at this time and I say YES for several reasons.

First..Some renovations will save you money after you make them.  For instance, putting in good, high impact windows will lower your insurance premiums, keep your home from using more energy to cool or heat because it reduces drafts and will protect your home from wind and rain during the hurricane season. Solar panels are another wonderful improvement.

Second, redoing bathrooms and kitchens will cost less to do, now, because there is a glut of building materials due to the recession.  Granite and stone and tile are less expensive now.  Contractors need work and are willing to make excellent deals to get your job.  Thousands of dollars can be saved when doing the construction and after it is complete, the value of your home has increased.

Forbes has a great, indepth article, on what to invest in during this recession.

Let me hear your comments.  What are your plans?