CasaSugar

Five Tips For Increasing the Property Value of Your Home

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:15:09 -0700

In anticipation of the new TLC series Hope For Your Home, which premieres this Saturday, I thought I'd share with you host Kirsten Kemp Becker's five tips for increasing the value of your property. A veteran Realtor, author and real estate company, and owner of a successful design company, Becker knows a thing or two about acclimating your home to the current economic climate. Here's a few ways she says you can do so yourself:

Plants on the outside. "The most economic way to achieve curb appeal is by refining your landscaping at the front of your house and by making sure the front door is the focal point. Guests, buyers, and appraisers will take notice of the entry experience and homeowners/sellers need to establish that emotional connection from the moment they pull up to your home. Remember the details: trim weeds, fix broken screens, hide the trash cans from view, and plant some fresh flowers in prominent planters."

There's four more where this came from, so read more.

Paint on the inside. "The biggest transformation in the shortest period of time results from paint. It can lighten a room, create an accent wall, and provide flow from one space to another."
- "If you can't afford new lighting or higher ceilings try painting a neutral color on the walls and a shade lighter on the ceiling."
- "To give a room a focal point or create more drama around one wall, try your hand at some color by painting it a shade of chocolate or charcoal to achieve a designer's touch."
- "If you can't afford to remodel the entire house and change your floor plan to make each room transition smoothly, try using the same shade of paint in all the public areas and down hallways - consistency of tone adds a feeling of congruency and openness."

Kitchens and baths. "Invest time and money into updating kitchens and bathrooms, but it doesn't mean ripping it all out and starting over - you can enhance what is already there. Learn to distract buyers' eyes from that which is not perfect by directing them towards areas that have been completely updated. A coat of paint and new hardware on existing cabinets and bathroom vanities can instantly update dated countertops tiles and fixtures. Take it one step further by using epoxy over existing tile or regrout to avoid demolishing and installing new tile, which saves time and money."

Declutter. "Stick with the timeless tried and true paint colors, accessories, and furniture in order to maximize the length of time and enjoyment out of your investment. Paramount to this is how you maintain your home. There is nothing like clutter to bury a home's value. If a professional can't see the space, appreciate the finishes or easily navigate around personal belongings and oversized furniture, they can't appraise it or sell it for top dollar."

Clean, clean, then clean again. "Even if a house has a poor floor plan, limited landscaping, or outdated bathrooms and kitchens, everything looks more valuable when it is well maintained and dust free. Pride of ownership shines through in a house that is clean and well cared for, which translates into higher profits in a sale and more attractive loan options for a refinance."

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Modesty Is the Policy For Colin Hanks's Los Angeles Purchase

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:30 -0700

You might expect the son of a renowned star like Tom Hanks to swoop up a sprawling Hollywood mansion at first chance, courtesy of Dad. But Colin Hanks is determined to be an actor in his own right and has his priorities straight. Thus, he's quietly purchased a modest two-bedroom, 1.75-bath home in Los Angeles for just over $1 million. While not opulent by any means, the property, designed by distinguished architect Paul R. Williams, does have historical value. It features a large open living room with high ceilings, a fireplace, and a bank of windows, a full dining room, and a sunny kitchen. The home's two bedrooms are raised a few steps and each have en-suite baths and a library. The house has wonderful city views and lush landscaping that I imagine offers lots of privacy for the budding star. I think it's a really sharp house, and elements like marble countertops, beautiful hardwood floors, and rich ceiling beams are great selling points. Take a tour when you read more.

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In the News: Celebs Losing Big Bucks on Their Dubai Digs

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:00:17 -0700

As you know, the effects of the credit crunch are being experienced worldwide. Even some of the world's wealthiest celebs are being hit hard. Celebrities like the Beckhams, Michael Jackson, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are losing $110,000 a week as the value of their luxury Dubai villas crashes. For the last few years, stars have been snatching up vacation properties in Dubai like kids at a candy store, many at the World Islands developments, a series of artificial peninsulas in the Persian Gulf shaped like continents. A slew of British soccer players, Beckham included, bought six-bedroom villas for around $1 million for in 2002, which quadrupled in value over the past six years. They've since lost millions as Dubai was hit by a housing market crash in October. I'd assume that Brad Pitt's plans to design an eco-friendly hotel in Dubai have also threatened by the economy. While I certainly don't wish this sort of financial loss upon anyone, it doesn't seem like any of the celebs in question are actually struggling to make do, so I won't be throwing any pity parties.
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This Just In: Robbie Williams Buys a Beverly Hills Mega Manse

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:30:32 -0700

Real estate slump? What real estate slump? Seems like musician Robbie Williams might be immune to bad property values news, as he has paid a whopping $23.9 million for a 13,638-square-foot, seven-bedroom, seven-bath mansion in Beverly Hills, according to Real Estalker.The listing for the sprawling property reads:

Magnificent Estate in guard-gated Beverly Pk w/TC & views. Gated & private. Spectacular main house, 2-story 3br GH, separate staff quarters, expansive lawns, gorgeous landscaping, terraces, fountains, pl & spa. Timeless elegance & extraordinary charm. Main house w/grand entry, marvelous living rm w/sunken bar, library, FDR w/butler's pantry, family rm w/attached bth & sauna, master w/dual baths & huge custom walk-in closets, & 2 add'l bdrm suites.

Looks and sounds pretty luxe to me; I guess his ego has landed! To see additional photos, read more.

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This Just In: TLC Premieres Hope For Your Home This Saturday

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:15:27 -0700

This Saturday, TLC will premiere its new series, Hope for Your Home, about the harsh realities facing homeowners in the US today. In each half-hour episode, host and real estate expert Kirsten Kemp Becker will help one family in financial need make improvements essential to increasing the value of their property, with the help of a contractor, of course.
"In a slow, or dare I say declining real estate market, it is important to set yourself apart from other homes on the market when yours is listed for sale. If you need to refinance, the same holds true," says Becker in a press statement. "Fortunately," she continues, "there are high impact low cost improvements homeowners can achieve over a weekend with help from friends and family." After these improvements have been made each week, a real estate agent and mortgage broker will examine each home and reassess its value, giving the homeowner the option to refinance and stay in their newly renovated home, or sell and find a more affordable alternative. Tune into the premiere this Saturday, Aug. 9, at 8:30PM EST/PDT on TLC!
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Eco Chic: Previously Developed Land

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:15:03 -0700

No one will tell you that building a new home rather than purchasing one that already exists is environmentally friendly — even if you use salvaged materials. So, if you're considering building a new home, find a lot that's previously been built on. Previously developed land (PDL) that is vacant or unused is a wasted resource. Building on PDL does not disturb wildlife, and keeps our natural assets intact. There may also be a cash incentive to leaving nature untouched. When asked about the value of New Jersey's natural assets, Bill Mates of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said they're worth a lot:

At least $26 billion a year worth of goods and services. And that $26 billion a year is worth about $850 billion in present value terms.

If you have no plans to build a home but have money to spare, consider purchasing undeveloped land and leaving it that way. It's the only property that can't be reproduced.
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Casa Verde: Save the Christmas Trees!

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:00:53 -0800

A recent This Old House article discussed the virtues of live Christmas trees. One family in the article brings in a live tree to trim indoors, and after the holiday is over, they plant the tree on their three-acre property. "You can look at it every year and think, remember when we did that?" points out landscape contractor Roger Cook. "It's fun for kids because you can point to it and say, 'That's your tree.' You can't do that when the tree's ground into wood chips."

Live trees are also fresher, and thus more fragrant, add value to your landscape property after they are planted, and can begin a family tradition. However, the trees are heavy, may cost twice as much as a cut tree, and cannot immediately be planted if you live in an area that gets a hard freeze. Still, I think it's a good option for folks who have some outdoor acreage to spare. I even know of a family in Berkeley who bought a live tree last year and then planted it in a local wildlife preserve after the holidays, so the possibilities are even there for apartment dwellers.

Is a live tree something that you would consider?

If you're curious, you can read the whole article here.

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