Steam clean or replace carpet, fix loose door knobs and railings, make sure windows and doors open and close easily.  Apply a fresh coat of paint where needed.

But you may find yourself deliberating over larger problems.  Should you replace the crumbing driveway? Buy new kitchen appliances? Refinish the floors?  Big repairs cost more time and money.  You could simply disclose the problem and let the buyer deal with it.

On the other hand, the better condition your home is in, the wider the group it will appeal to.  When making a decision of this kind, consider that repairing the problem could also result in a higher sale price.  The best thing to do is start making these big repairs a year or two before you plan to move.  Then you get to enjoy the results too!

After kitchens, bathrooms are a home buyer’s biggest concern. The good news here is that bathroom renovations typically realize a homeowner an 80-90% return on their investment. For a small space, $1,000 can go a long way to helping you boost your home’s value.

In addition to tiling the floor, you could upgrade the vanity and sink. Depending on the size of your vanity and the number of sinks you would like to install you can buy a premade, finished piece at most “big box” home improvement stores and sink for several hundred dollars. Or opt for a pedestal sink (or two) and freestanding cabinets for storage – a hot new trend – and you’ll still come in well under your $1,000 spending limit.

                Get Efficient

Use your $1,000 budget to make a smart and eco-friendly investment in your home such as:

• Going tankless. Installing a tankless hot water heater for $150-$1,000 (depending on size) is an attractive energy-efficient upgrade for today’s homeowners and buyers…and it will save you between 10-20% on your utility bills monthly.
• Installing ceiling fans. Ceiling fans aren’t just decorative – they’re an easy way to reduce your overall energy consumption during hot summer months.

Not sure where to start? Hire an interior designer for a flat hourly fee to get some professional advice or ask a local realtor to walk through your home and give his/her opinion of the best renovations you could make given your local market.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor

www.BrianRipp.com  serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.

In the kitchen:

·         Never pour grease down the drain. Wipe congealed grease from pans with a paper towel before rinsing in the sink.

·         Do not put such foods in your garbage disposal as coffee grounds, celery, corn husks, pumpkin or squash, banana peels, raw meat, bones, rice or pasta.

·         Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils regularly to help it cool more efficiently.

In the bathroom:

·         Put strainers in your tubs and showers to trap hair and keep drains flowing smoothly; be sure to clean them regularly.

·         Do not attempt to flush facial tissues, sanitary products or diapers.  Anything other than toilet paper should be thrown away in the trash, not the toilet.

In the garage:

·         Check your water meter when no water is being used, then check it again several hours later. If you notice a significant change in the reading, you may have an undetected water leak.

·         Annually check the hoses on your washing machine for signs of creacking or weak sots.  Replace if needed.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor

www.BrianRipp.com   Serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.

Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp