5 Steps For Adding Value to Your Older Home

Older homes that are well maintained can carry a higher value than newer homes, simply because they are fresh and unique. That additional value, however, can be negated if certain features are left old or outdated. Here are five simple and relatively inexpensive steps you can take to add value to an older home.

1. Update Fixtures and Appliances

Modern track lighting and sink fixtures provide a streamlined look to older and even vintage kitchens and baths. Appliances are not a major expense, but can really add a contemporary appeal to your older kitchen. They can be well worth the investment for interested buyers.

2. Install New Garage Doors

Modern garage doors come in a number of styles and finishes that can accentuate the style of your home. Some of the newer styles include frosted glass panels or rustic wooden doors with barn door fixtures which can provide a modern and charming accent to your home.

3. Refinish Wood Flooring

If you’re lucky enough to have vintage wooden flooring, stripping, sanding, and refinishing them will increase any home’s value significantly. If your home doesn’t have wood flooring, stripping up old, outdated carpet and installing bamboo flooring is not only inexpensive, but will provide a much more durable and easy-to-care finish. Bamboo flooring comes in a number of different styles and colors and is fairly easy to install.

4. Refinish Popcorn Ceilings

Removing your old popcorn ceiling is a fairly easy and inexpensive process, but does require furniture removal and quite a bit of elbow grease. Be aware that many popcorn ceilings applied before 1980 contain asbestos. If your home was built before 1980, you’ll need to have a small portion of the ceiling tested. If it contains more than 1% asbestos, you’ll need to have it professionally removed.

5. Install Energy Efficient Windows and Doors

Not only will these new fixtures add value to your home, but will also bring down your utility bills, which will add jingle to your pocket. Be sure to read my 8 Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency in Your Home and Saving the “Green” with a Home Energy Audit.

So, as you can see, increasing the value of your home doesn’t have to be a lengthy and expensive process. With some planning and dedication, you can greatly increase the value of your home!

What type of home would you like to make your next? Let me know in the comments below. And if you’re looking to buy your next home in metro Albuquerque, contact me today so I can help you find it!

7 Simple Steps for Modernizing Your Kitchen

Albuquerque Home KitchenThe kitchen, far too often, is the one room of the house that many homeowners “never get to” updating. But wouldn’t you really like your kitchen to look stylish and exciting? Then consider my 7 simple tips for modernizing your kitchen.

1Fit New Faucets

Believe it or not, faucets can completely change the look of a room. And buying beautiful ones won’t break the bank, either. The Moen Kleo Pull-Down kitchen faucet comes in a spot-resist stainless finish and resists fingerprints and water spots. It features Reflex, a hose system that operates easily, retracts smoothly, and sits securely.

2Suspend Pots and Pans

Instead of investing in brand-new cabinetry, try working with what you have. You can free up space by suspending your pots and pans from the ceiling. A pot rack adds style, makes everything easily accessible, and creates more cabinet space for other items.

3Update Cabinets

And speaking of cabinets, having pull-out shelves fitted in will help you avoid digging for those hard-to-reach items. Today’s kitchens are seeing less upper cabinets and more drawers rather than base cabinets. Because of this, pantry size will increase, along with the use of more ergonomic storage with practical accessories, such as plate racks, accessory drawers, pivoting pantry units, and corner drawers. It’s usually easy to retrofit your current layout with drawers to save money. As for hardware, among the most popular finishes today are nickel and oil-rubbed bronze. SA Baxter has some beautiful designs in both finishes.

4Enhance Lighting

Make sure you’ve got ample lighting for meal preparation. Instead of having one light in the center of the room, you can add more fitted lighting in various places on the ceiling. Curved track lighting in a stainless steel finish is still quite the rage in a lot of kitchens these days.

5Paint Kitchen Tile

Using a good primer is key. I recommend using Gripper primer by Glidden. This primer will stick to anything, including tile. Wait a day for the primer to set before painting. Decide the sheen you want to use. For the tile look, go with high-gloss paint. Otherwise, a less shiny sheen will be fine. For kitchen walls, most people use a satin finish since it’s very easy to clean. Use a foam roller. If you use high gloss paint, you’ll get a nice, glass-like finish.

6Lay Wooden Flooring

Wood floors are a great option if you’re looking for a modern flooring that is slightly softer underfoot. Wood floors come in a variety of colors and styles to match any decor and will add natural warmth to your kitchen. If you don’t want the maintenance of a natural wood floor but love the look, laminate may be the way to go. These floors are easy to install, maintain and clean, and like real wood, come in a variety of finishes. There’s green options, too, that are both beautiful and resilient. Both cork and bamboo flooring are made from renewable resources and provide a soft, warm flooring underfoot.

7Update Appliances

If you’re looking for an ultra modern kitchen, then the Sub-Zero line of luxury kitchen appliances will surely appeal. Ranging from built-in freezers and refrigerators to wine storage, the Sub-Zero line is 100% stainless steel. Wolf kitchen appliances will add a contemporary yet robust flair to your kitchen design. From gas and dual fuel ranges to electric appliances, Wolf kitchen appliances will give your kitchen space a beautiful, modern design.

Finally, modern kitchens are very minimalistic; they don’t have a lot of extras stuffed into them. Multi-purpose, smart designs are today’s kitchens. This extends to small appliances, bar stools, and countertops. These items will finish off your modern kitchen without leaving it looking crowded and uninviting.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house in the Albuquerque area, contact me today!

5 Easy Ways to Maximize Your Dining Area

home dining roomYour dining room is one of the most important places in your home where your family gathers to share meals and quality time together. As such, it should be a comfortable area where family and friends can relax and enjoy themselves. If your dining room feels cramped though, your family may be tempted to go elsewhere for dining and entertainment. Don’t let that happen! Instead, take to heart my five easy ways to maximize your dining area space in style and comfort.

1Use a Round Table. Despite the traditional styling of a rectangular table, you can actually maximize your dining area by using a circular one. By freeing up floor space, you’ll be able to fit in an extra seat or two. A round table with a pedestal base allows you to compactly slip any chairs underneath the table top when not needed.

2Choose Chairs Without Armrests. The widths of your chairs will no doubt affect the roominess of your dining area. Avoid armrests and go with delicate designs. A common color strategy is to use dark colors that contrast with lighter surroundings to accentuate the walls and make the room appear larger. Ideally, a slim-line design in a strong hue can make your dining room seem more spacious.

3Add Mirrors. The reflection of mirrors is the best way to enhance the perception of roominess. Seeing twice the room will subconsciously make you feel that you’re in a larger dining room. Mirrors give a great illusion of extra space, and are quite affordable, too.

4Add Glass Doors. Installing glass doors provides an easy way to keep the dining room enclosed without creating a feeling of crampedness. Using the principle of mirrors above, glass doors can also make your dining area appear larger and brighter as you allow more light in.

5Create Multi-Use Functionality. Your dining room can be used for more than just housing a table and chairs; it can have other uses as well. Perhaps opening this space up to a neighboring bar or an open kitchen pass-through, will allow you to get more use and space out of your dining area. Combining purposes together can free up your dining environment. With a bit of thought, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can do with your dining area space!

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house in the Albuquerque area, contact me today!

Sorting Through the Home Loans

home-financesConfused about the different loan types out there? Here’s a quick, “at-your-fingertips” post to help you sort it all out.

Conventional

A conventional home loan is one that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government. This is the most common mortgage option and usually has the best interest rates.

Down Payments: 10%
More Financing Options
Good Credit Score

FHA

FHA loans are mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Makes ownership more affordable with less down and easier credit requirements.

Low Down Payment Down – 3.5%
Low Payments
Low Credit Score

VA

Veterans Administration loans are for qualifying veterans, active military and military families.

No Down Payment
Low Payments
No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans are designed to help low- or moderate-income people buy, repair or renovate a home in rural areas. Some suburban areas qualify, too.

No Down Payment
Low Payments
Good Credit Score

Questions? When you feel ready to speak to a lender about getting pre-qualified for your new home, contact one of my professional mortgage brokers. And if you have questions about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!

5 Tips to Help Home Sellers Maximize Their Sales Price

ABQ Home SellingIn recent times, it seems that more homeowners than ever are thinking about jumping into the real estate market. But before you commit to taking that leap, you should consider my 5 tips to help home sellers maximize their sales price:

1Sell Your Home in the mid-Spring to mid-Summer..
Generally, nicer weather brings out more buyers. Lawns and landscaping are at their peak, making your home look its best, and helping you get a higher sales price compared to listing later in the year.

2Go with an Agent Who Uses a Professional Photographer.
Sellers who provide stunning, high-resolution photos in their listings can expect a sales price closer to the listing price. Professional photos help listings get more web views, and they increase the perceived value of a home by nearly 13 percent, according to a consumer survey by VHT.

3Demand Your Agent Post a Video of Your Home on YouTube (and other social media sites).
More than 80 percent of all buyers find their homes online, and 21 percent look for online videos or photos. Besides social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. there are a plethora of home listing sites, including: Alibi, Backpage, Craigslist, Frontdoor, Geebo, HotPads, Listhub, Oodle, Postlets, Trulia, Vast, VFlyer, Zillow, and Zimbio –just to name a few.

4Use Floor Plans in Your Listing.
Interactive floor plans that show how rooms relate to each other are an increasingly popular marketing tool. This helps buyers envision how to use the rooms. The combination of floor plans and professionally-taken photos creates the ultimate shopping experience for buyers.

5De-Clutter!
Your house will show better if it’s clean and well-organized. Potential buyers are interested in buying your home, not your furnishings. So depersonalize your house! Eliminate piles of paperwork, books, houseplants, and photos. Make sure everything sparkles and smells fresh! Beds should be made and dishes done before you leave the house in the morning. After all, interested buyers might stop by on short notice. It’s amazing how much better your home can look with a fresh coat of paint and how much value it can add, for so little cost. You don’t have to repaint everything, but do consider freshening up the rooms that need it the most. Use neutral colors inside. Outside, a gallon of paint on exterior trim, wooden stairs and banisters can do wonders for your home’s appearance.

By taking just a few proactive steps in homeselling, you can do your best to encourage multi-offer buyer situations in no time at all!

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house in the Albuquerque area, contact me today!

The Top 15 Design Features That Buyers Like

Home Sold ABQZillow Digs screened over 2 million listings for homes sold between January 2014 and March 2016 and looked for the keywords that had the best effect on how much over the expected price homes sold for and how much faster they sold.

Apparently, Buyers are wild about barn doors and farmhouse sinks! Here are the top 15 design features:

1. Outdoor kitchen
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 3.7 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 19
Most common metro: Tampa, Florida

2. Tankless water heater
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 43
Most common metro: Los Angeles, California

3. Backsplash
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4.1 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 46
Most common metro: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

4. Granite
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4.1 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 38
Most common metro: Dallas, Texas

5. Stainless steel
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4.2 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 42
Most common metro: Chicago, Illinois

6. Heated floors
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4.3 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 28
Most common metro: Seattle, Washington

7. Frameless shower
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4.6 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 38
Most common metro: Dallas, Texas

8. Pendant light
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4.6 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 48
Most common metro: Phoenix, Arizona

9. Exposed brick
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 4.9 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 36
Most common metro: New York, New York

10. Craftsman
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 5.4 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 14
Most common metro: Seattle, Washington

11. Quartz
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 6 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 50
Most common metro: Los Angeles, California

12. Subway tile
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 6.9 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 63
Most common metro: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

13. Farmhouse sink
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 7.9 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 58
Most common metro: Los Angeles, California

14. Shaker cabinet
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 9.6 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 45
Most common metro: Los Angeles, California

15. Barn door
Percent of homes that sell for above expected values: 13.4 percent
How many days faster than expected the home sells: 57
Most common metro: Phoenix, Arizona

What are your must-have features? Leave them in the comments below! And if you have any questions about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!

What is a Quitclaim Deed?

Quitclaim DeedA Quitclaim Deed is a deed that conveys only the grantor’s right or interest in real estate, without stating the nature of the rights and with no warranties of ownership.

Simply stated, if you know the ownership and just need to add or remove a legal owner, a quitclaim deed is an easy way to do so. Commonly seen in a divorce or marriage, but also if one partner obtains the mortgage in their name and wishes to add the other partner to the deed. Being added or removed does not relieve you or make you responsible for the mortgage. This is a separate document.

If you any questions about quitclaim deeds, be sure to leave them in the comments below. And if you’ve got questions about buying or selling a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!

6 Tips To a Great Neighborhood!

Whether you’ve just moved in or have lived in your neighborhood for decades, making it the best community possible is just a matter of 6 easy tips!

1Introduce yourself. Seems obvious, but how many times do you think about going to introduce yourself to your neighbors, and a year later, you still don’t know who your neighbors are? Why not take over a casserole dish or plate of cookies to make a warm impression!

2Start a Facebook group. Facebook makes it easy to set up a group. You can make it private or open, depending on the type of information you want to share. A group is a great way to share things like a weekend garage sale, babysitting needs, or getting rid of the spare desk you no longer need.

Neighborhood-Children3Organize events. Potlucks, garage sales, Halloween parties, etc., are great ways to bring a neighborhood together. Some of my fondest memories are the neighborhood Halloween block parties we had! One neighbor had a haunted house in his garage, another had bobbing for apples on his lawn, there were costume contests, and everyone got to trick or treat in a safe environment.

4Set up play dates. With today’s busy schedules, it can be difficult to stay in touch, but if you have regular play dates, you can get to know your neighbors better while your kids or pets play!

Home Gardening5Share gardening. Gardening is more popular than ever. But if you only grow one or two items, you might find yourself having more tomatoes than you know what to do with. If several neighbors create a co-op, you can grow tomatoes while your neighbors grow strawberries and share your bounty.

6Keep your eyes open in your neighborhood. Help keep your neighbors safe by keeping an eye on each others’ properties. Form a neighborhood watch. During vacations, make homes look lived in and report any suspicious activity.

Do you have any home-warming community tips to add to this post? Please leave them in the comments below. And if you have any questions about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!

1st photo courtesy of Horizontal Integration on flickr.

2nd photo courtesy of Michelle Kroll on flickr.

Home Sellers: 4 Mistakes to Avoid In Decluttering Your Home

home stagingIf you’re getting ready to sell your home, clutter is your worse enemy. It makes packing a nightmare, and wastes considerable time and resources when searching for items. But decluttering is a great way to eliminate the things you don’t need before preparing your house for a walk-through. That’s why it’s so important to avoid some of the commonly made mistakes along the way. Here are four such mistakes that many home sellers tend to fall into and how to avoid them.

1. Not having an organizational plan.

Before you start pulling items from your closets, drawers, etc., you need to have an organizational plan. You don’t want to throw everything into one big pile; that creates another mess to sort through later. Instead, tackle things strategically by putting each item into a dedicated pile:

  • Donate
  • Sell
  • Throw away

If you need someone to help or keep you on track, you can hire a home organizer to set a schedule and make the process more manageable.

2. Tackling too much at once.

Don’t expect to organize the entire house in one day; it’s just not realistic. Spend just a few hours each day decluttering, tackling one room at a time. Or break it down further; start with one closet or a dresser. Keep in mind, you will always have a bigger mess before you have something more manageable.

3. Letting your emotions get the best of you.

You may be tempted to keep certain items because of their sentimental worth. But, oftentimes, the pieces we hold onto are really of no use. You shouldn’t keep pointless items just for emotions’ sake, unless the emotions are so overwhelming that you simply can’t help yourself. Old toys, clothing, shoes — may well be better off at secondhand stores or even in the trash. Of course, there will be a few pieces of jewelry or photos to keep, but be choosy.

4. Procrastinating about getting things out.

Be careful not to let the garbage, donation items, or garage sale pieces just sit around. You need to drive them down to the secondhand store or landfill. If you need to sell stuff, arrange a garage sale for the following weekend. Take action!

Finally, when you’ve decluttered every room, and your home is ready to be staged and put on the market, congratulations! But remember, there will be another time, perhaps in your next house, where you will need to declutter once again. Getting rid of old items and making room for new ones is a natural part of life. People accumulate things throughout their lives, and it’s imperative to keep cleaning out your house — less you be called a hoarder!

Do you have any decluttering advice to add to this post? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. And if you have any questions about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!