Home Seller’s Guide To Moneymaking Fix-Ups

 

Here’s An Informative Guide To Help You Realize The Most Profit From Your Home, And Avoid Costly Repair Rip-Offs.

Also Sell For The Most Money"

Dear Friend,

Do you see that quote above? Whether you know it or not, it’s true. Very true!

There’s a little-known dynamic in real estate that can dramatically affect the successful, top dollar sale of your home. See…that statement all boils down to the fact that…

Are The Same Elements That Sell Homes For Top Dollar

Each year thousands of homeowners needlessly lose thousands of dollars when selling their home. But they don’t lose the money for reasons you might think. They lose money because they unknowingly left it on the table…for the buyer to pocket…by failing to recognize the hidden profit potential of their home.

And those hidden profits exist in two areas.

First, most homeowners never discover that certain small, even inexpensive repairs to their existing home could generate many times their cost in additional home value. But on the other hand, other repairs and improvements can cost you dearly. It’s critical to know what repairs and improvements to spend money on…and which ones to leave alone.

Second, when many savvy homeowners decide to make profitable repairs before selling, they expose themselves to the ruthless world of contractors and their potentially-deceptive schemes that drive up the costs of home repairs.

Between not knowing what to repair for maximum profit, and dealing with the world of contractor schemes, it’s easy to understand how you might become overwhelmed with the whole process. But don’t despair.

That’s Why I Created This Helpful Report

In the following pages, I’m going to reveal to you exactly what areas make sense to fix and what areas to leave alone…not using "opinion," but real world facts. Then, I’m going to give you a "behind the scenes tour" of the games some contractors play when fixing your home (by the way, not all contractors are sinister – I know many with stellar reputations).

This way you’ll be armed to the teeth with knowledge and strategies to stay one-step ahead of the game…and maximize the value of your home when you sell.

So let’s get going…

How To Select Home Improvements That Pay Dividends

Generally speaking, there are two ways to go about home improvements. You’re either going to splurge on your home because it’s your palace and you simply want a beautiful place to live, OR, you’re going to take a more logical, pragmatic approach designed to increase your home’s value.

Problem is, you’ll never achieve both. In fact, many homeowners expose themselves to the very problems they’re trying to avoid in the process of home fix-ups.

Take Carol and Tom Jenkins, who four years ago purchased a home for $190,000. Since buying their home, they’ve spent over $60,000 fixing it up and making it the "perfect" place to live. A few months ago, they put the home on the market at $270,000. The best offer they received was only $235,000.

Their mistake? Spending money on amenities and features that were ancillary to the value of the home.

Just because you spend $30,000 on the fix-up of your home doesn’t mean you’re going to get it out when you sell. It doesn’t automatically make your home worth $30,000 more. And that’s exactly why you need to know which fix-ups pay off big, and which ones will cost you potentially thousands of dollars.

Let’s take a look at the most common areas of fix-up…

Painting Your Home

Time and again, painting proves to be one of the most basic, yet most profitable of home fix-ups. There’s virtually nothing a coat of paint won’t fix, especially if you plan to sell your home within a few years.

According to the National Association of REALTORS, professionally painting the exterior of a home costs an average of $3,250, and recoups nearly 100% of its cost. But that’s not the profitable part of painting.

Studies also show that painting the exterior has a meaningful effect on reducing the time to sell. And reducing time to sell means you’re saving potentially thousands in interest, taxes, and other overhead costs required to maintain your home and mortgage during the "for sale" period.

Rather than spending money on less visible "infrastructure" issues of your home, you’re frequently better off fixing the cracked front steps and painting the entry and front door.

Kitchen Fix-Ups

Here’s an area that can mean serious profit when selling your home. Even small, basic improvements to your kitchen can pay big dividends. For most buyers, the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that means it has the greatest profit potential. Here are a few suggestions for improving your kitchen without investing tens of thousands in remodeling costs.

In the short term, consider changing floors, cabinets, and fixtures. Consider sanding, staining, or painting dingy looking cabinets. Replacing old cabinet hardware (a low-cost improvement) can make a huge difference in appearance.

Look at your counter tops and other surface areas that draw the eye. Also, look at the kitchen sink and fixtures. If they’re old and worn, replacing them with contemporary fixtures and a new sink can make a world of difference…not just in aesthetics, but in hard dollars.

In some cases, spending $4,000 on a cosmetically outdated kitchen can add as much as $15,000 in extra value of the home.

Adding New Space

Generally, improvements that increase the functional space of a home are good profit centers. For example, one homeowner had a storage area that was accessed from the outside, and bordered the laundry room. The homeowner knocked out the wall in the laundry room to the storage area, eliminated the outside door to the storage area, and added over 100 more square feet in storage and useable space, which is now accessed from the inside, not the outside.

The repair, which cost only about $1,500, increased the home value an estimated five times its cost to perform.

Converting an attic into a bedroom suite can instantly make your four bedroom home a five bedroom home, and a much greater value. Waterproofing and improving a basement for additional storage (a job that costs about $3,000) can recoup well over its cost once the house goes on the market.

Look around your home for areas that can easily be expanded, refurbished, and functionally added onto to increase the number of bedrooms, baths or useable square footage, and you’ve found a great profit center.

Enclosed Decks And Patios

Most outside improvements don’t fare well from a profit standpoint, but here’s a great way to increase the overall square footage of your home and its value. Consider installing a redwood deck or enclosed patio off a living area.

This not only increases the aesthetics of your home, but its usability.

Decks and patios can range in cost between $4,000 to over $8,000, and in most cases recoup at least 90% of their cost in extra home value – especially if you’re going to be living in the home for a few years.

Adding An Extra Bathroom

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2003 survey, adding an extra bathroom will, in most cases, pay for itself. The average cost of a bathroom addition is about $11,000, which includes all the trimmings – marble vanity top, molded sink, ceramic bathtub and commode, and custom tiled shower.

Here’s another profit-pointer: a second bath to a home will add more value to a home than a third bath. And when adding baths, make sure you use skylights, windows, and other ways to bring in the natural light.

Now, here are a few areas you want to avoid…

Replacing Windows And Doors

Even replacing windows and doors with energy-efficient models is generally a bad idea. According to the National Association of REALTORS, investments in windows and doors will return only about 36% to 53% of their cost, while $1,280 worth of caulking and insulation can return over 71%.

If your windows are old and leaking, however, you should replace them. Consider using standard size windows, rather than custom cut models. The savings in your utility bill might pay for them alone. "The minute you get into customizing windows, with fancy shapes, bays and bows you can’t see from the street, you’re throwing your money down the drain," says William Eccleston, a broker in Coventry, R.I.

Standard, lower-priced, double-hung windows are usually your best bet. But all that depends on the neighborhood in which the home is located. In more pricey neighborhoods, buyers may spot windows and doors replaced "on the cheap."

When people look at $150,000 homes, they ask, "Are those Thermopane?" When people look at $300,000 homes, they say, "Are those windows Anderson or Pella?"

Swimming Pools

Swimming pools have different value levels depending on what part of the country they’re located. The Sun Belt climates tend to place a larger value on pools simply because of the number of days they can be used out of the year.

But in either case, there’s generally little resale value. The main reason pools turn-off more buyers than they attract is that they require expensive, time-consuming upkeep. Running a close second is the fear of liability by having a pool. Pool accidents are a quick way to wind up in court as the subject of a negligence suit.

The verdict? Be very careful before you go spending money on a new pool. If you don’t live in the Sun Belt, you could end up losing tens of thousands of dollars when it comes time to sell your home.

Gardens, Walls, and Fences

Fancy gardens and extensive landscaping are generally another big loser. The same goes for big walls and fancy fences. Homeowners can spend tens of thousands on making the grounds of a home beautiful, but rarely get their money out. Why?

Because unless you’ve got a horticultural buyer looking at your home, most buyers look at the required time and money to maintain lavish landscaping. However, that’s not so say that your home shouldn’t have pleasing grounds. The same situation can work against you if your home is perceived as the "weak link" of the neighborhood because of its landscaping.

The secret is to make your landscaping compatible with other homes in your area. If that requires spending a little money, so be it. But don’t expect to get it out from the sale price.

Functional an Structural Improvements

Here’s a sad paradox: Many of the improvements that have the most value for you as a homeowner end up being the worst-performers as far as resale value is concerned. And usually those improvements are from a functional or structural standpoint.

For example, adding a new plumbing system, or putting in a new air conditioning system or furnace will definitely make your life in your home more comfortable, but they’ll fail to recoup their costs in added home value – again, unless you live there for some time.

Unfortunately, when certain functional items fail, you have no choice but to fix them. This includes water heaters, HVAC units, plumbing, and foundational problems. But be careful where you spend your hard-earned dollars. As the saying goes, "If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it."

How To Dodge Repair Rip-Offs When Improving Your Home

Now, by this point you’ve probably identified a number of areas you could improve on your home and start reaping extra dollars in value. But there’s still another hurdle to overcome. And it’s an important one.

Each year hundreds of thousands of consumers complain to their state’s attorney general about home repair rip-offs. The National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators says home repairs are second only to car repairs on the nation’s "rip-off" list.

Here’s the inside story on the most common games played, plus a number of tips to help you avoid becoming another contractor victim.

Selecting Painters

The key to a great paint job isn’t necessarily in the painting, but in the prep work. And this is the area where you’re going to either get "taken" or get a great job. If you own a two or three story home, it’s difficult to climb up a ladder to make sure every inch has been properly scrapped, sanded, patched, and primed.

But taking the time and effort may pay off big dividends. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth out of your painter:

Verify that all priming and preparation has been done. Ask your painter to use a different color of primer paint than the current or finish paint color. For example, if your current paint is white, ask him/her to use a light-gray primer.

Get a detailed on-site estimate to avoid unpleasant surprises. You don’t need to go through three estimates for the same job. Just get two estimates if they’re in the same ballpark. But make sure they’re detailed so you know what you’re paying for.

Don’t scrimp on paint. Get good quality paint, even if you can only afford a single coat. But don’t buy the top of the line either. Your best bet? Select a paint that’s one-step down from the top-of-the-line premium paint.

Remember that painters do better on paint prices than you will. Frequently called a "contractors price," your painter can, for example, buy paint at $22 a gallon and resell it to you for $25. Even with the mark-up, that’s still a better deal than if you bought it for retail at $28. Make certain to ask your painter how his/her paint pricing works.

When evaluating exterior painters, ask for addresses of homes they painted about five years ago. Then go look at them. A good paint job should last about seven years. At five years, you’ll see just the beginning of paint wear around the eaves and gutters.

Remember, no matter how much you haggle with potential contractors to lower their bids; they still need to make a living. You can push too hard. If you pressure painters into lower prices, this only means they have to find cheaper labor to do the job. And cheap labor means a shoddier job. Either way, you generally get what you pay for.

Selecting Plumbers

Here’s the "inside scoop" on plumbers: you won’t pay much for the "parts" they use; they make their money on labor and "mobilization charges." Frequently plumbers will charge you a minimum of one hour regardless of how much time they spend actually doing the work.

So if you’re paying a plumber a minimum fee just to show up anyhow, why not ask him to do other work involving plumbing: fixing disposals, pool or lawn sprinkler work, leaky faucets, or washers that need replacing. Use up the minimum he is going to charge you anyhow with fix-up projects.

Plumbing problems are very difficult to estimate. To help you in the process, here are a number of tips to consider:

Explain your job or problem over the phone, then ask how they will fix it, how much it will cost, and when the work will start and complete. And here’s an important tip: if you live in an affluent neighborhood, do NOT give your phone number or address until AFTER you’ve been quoted a price. Some plumbers mark up prices up to 50% more when they learn you live in an affluent neighborhood.

Seek out "border bids" from tradesmen from not-so affluent neighborhoods nearby. Frequently you’ll find plumbers in a neighboring town may charge less than the tradesmen nearby.

If a highly recommended plumber has no idea about a job’s cost, negotiate a flat rate for him to inspect the problem and give you a quality bid.

When dealing with tradesmen who charge by the hour, ask if travel time is also included on the clock.

Check for shoddy work or ways in which your plumber will try to boost their profit margins at your expense. For example, some will use a ½-inch pipe instead of ¾-inch, which means that in bathrooms where there’s a shower, your toilet may not flush correctly. Or if a plumber uses L or K grade copper piping, you can expect a five to 10 year life as opposed to M grade piping which lasts 15 to 20 years. And some plumbers use plastic pipe, which is inexpensive but noisier and less durable than metal. Make sure to ask your plumber what he’s using before he starts his work.

If you suspect your plumber is overcharging you for materials, go out to Home Depot or a plumbing supply house and get a price on the same materials. Even if they don’t sell directly to consumers, you can still check the price tags.

Selecting Electricians

Electricians register the fewest complaints from consumers, probably because they have the most stringent national standards to meet. Before hiring an electrician, make sure he/she is a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association or a local electrician’s trade union.

You should also check (along with all tradesmen you consider) that: 1) he’s licensed and insured; 2) he has no complaints with the Registrar of Contractors in your area; 3) he’s driving a truck or van with a painted-on sign and logo; and 4) he’s willing to write you an estimate on his own printed invoice, which should reveal a street address rather than a post office box.

If you’re looking for an affordable electrician, consider checking your local Pennysaver publication. You can also drive by new housing developments, since builders try to find the best deal when building their homes.

But electricians can easily rip you off on parts. A cheap electrical switch costs your electrician 29 cents compared to $2 for a longer lasting one. When getting parts from your electrician, make sure he’s using "specification grade or better" products – a standard set by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

Selecting Roofers

State attorneys general have their files stuffed with stories of roofers who ripped-off consumers and skipped town.

If you’ve got a leaky roof, chances are it’s a flashing problem. This is the material, usually copper or galvanized steel or aluminum, that joins your roof to the chimney with a black sticky substance called asphalt cement. If you need flashing fixed, plan on spending about $30 to $50 per hour to have it fixed correctly.

Be wary of the roofer who gazes up at your roof and announces "your roof is 15 years old and it’s gonna leak soon if you don’t replace those shingles." The only way to determine whether or not you need a new roof is to get up there and look. Worn out shingles, which have lost their oil and thus water repellency, look brittle, curl up at the edges, and often crumble into powder when broken.

A new asphalt shingle roof should cost $30 to $50 per "square" (a roofer’s square is 100 square feet), depending on the quality of the shingles and the slope of your roof. A shingle roof should last 15 to 20 years.

If you plan to move out of your home soon, you might want to consider a "second coat" of shingles. This will avoid having to strip off the first layer, and should save you about 20% in labor.

Selecting HVAC Specialists

The most common rip-offs with HVAC (acronym for "Heating, Ventilation, Air conditioning, and Cooling") include substituting used parts for new ones and replacing parts that simply don’t need replacement.

The solution? Always ask to see the old or broken parts before they’re replaced and examine the packaging and documentation of any new parts that are used.

And here’s another tip: try to have any HVAC repairs performed off-season. Air conditioning and heating work is up to 10% less expensive during the off-season.

Also, stay away from extended payment plans. There’s no free lunch and it’s assured you’re paying for the costs of money somewhere in the job. And if you buy a service contract, make sure your contractor details everything that will be performed under the contract, and he has the most up-to-date equipment to do the job.

And if you need to replace an air conditioner or furnace, eliminate the bidder who estimates the job off-the-cuff, without measuring your windows, asking what type of insulation you have, looking at the direction your home faces, and then plugging all this information into a form or computer called Manual J. This calculates heat loss and gain of your home, and ensures the correct size air conditioner or furnace.

Should You Get A Written Contract?

Written agreements certainly help keep a tradesman to his word, so long as they’re detailed enough. But a piece of paper doesn’t protect you from getting ripped-off.

If you get "duped" by a licensed contractor, you can complain directly to your local Registrar of Contractors or other local or state licensing board, and request a hearing or arbitration. If you’re dealing with an unlicensed tradesman, your regional Better Business Bureau may help in arbitrating the situation, but if the contract was large enough, you may be forced into the courts for satisfaction.

Whether or not you get a contract, make sure at the completion of work you receive a written statement stating all work performed has been paid in full. Or, better yet, when you submit your final payment, write that statement in yourself and ask the tradesman to sign it as well.

In Getting The Most Value Out Of Your Home…

There’s no question about it, getting top dollar out of your home can be tricky. One false move can cost you thousands.

That’s why I created a proprietary program meant specifically for homeowners looking for a fast, top dollar sale. I call it my…

Maximum Home Value Audit…

And it’s completely different from what any other real estate agent can provide for you.

If you’re considering selling soon, here’s what I’ll provide for you, absolutely FREE, and without obligation whatsoever:

I’ll conduct a careful, thorough valuation of your home, based on real world facts, in a EASY to understand format. You won’t get any inflated values just to pressure you into listing with me.

And you won’t get anything like "I have a buyer right now who’s interested in your specific home, and if you list with me, I’ll bring him by right now." With me, you’ll get NO pressure. No arm twisting. Just a real world, honest, fact-filled analysis.

I’ll tour your home to identify items that could negatively affect your selling price. As I mentioned earlier, some of my findings could bring as much as $5 in extra sales price for every $1 you invest. By the end of my tour, you’ll have a checklist of strategies designed to "position" your home to sell for the most money possible.

I’ll share with you my Top Dollar Marketing Plan. My plan will give you insider secrets on how to promote your home properly, how to handle buyers, how to avoid crime, and much more.

I believe in incentives, so here’s one just to "sweeten the pot." If you call before the expiration date marked on the coupon, AND if you select me to market your home, I’ll provide a FREE HOME INSPECTION by a licensed inspector to identify potential problems that could kill a sale. That’s a $350 value I’ll include absolutely FREE.

PLUS, I guarantee everything I do. If any other agent won’t guarantee their services, ask them why? You’re staking the successful sale of your home on their abilities, why shouldn’t they stake their commission the very same way? I place my priorities in the same place as yours. We’re in this together!

When selling your home, the LAST thing you need is added pressure. That’s why I’ll answer all of your questions. And give you one less thing to worry about during these hectic times.

Incidentally…do you remember the old riddle that goes, "What do you call the person who graduated dead-last in their medical school class?"

Answer: "DOCTOR!"

Well, it’s the same with real estate agents. Someone with vast experience and extraordinary professionalism usually costs the same as someone with little or no experience, or with compromising standards. You need to know how to tell the difference up front.

Bringing competence and experience into your transaction may mean the difference between a higher negotiated sales price and losing money, selling in less time or in more time (costing you potentially thousands in added interest), and experiencing problems and hassles or a problem-free transaction.

Our community is loaded with agents who are wrong for you, your area, and your home. Some agents are in business part-time for a little extra cash. Others are subsidizing other businesses or careers. And then there’s your "cousin Harry," who you may feel obligated to because he "really needs your business."

Selling your home is probably the most important financial transaction you will ever make. That’s why I take my business so seriously. It’s also why I have developed customized home marketing programs meant specifically for your situation.

BUT…WHY ME?

Here’s why you should consider my services to market your home: 

Ø       I have a 1/2 time assistant, a cell phone, a “personal” real estate only web site in addition to our company site, and two phone lines.  I’m not telling you these things to impress you, but to impress UPON YOU the difference between agents who simply “sell” real estate, and those who COMMIT to whatever it takes to serve a client beyond their expectations!

 Ø       I am intimately familiar with Winona and Goodview areas that I specialize in. 

Ø       I am a full-time Realtor.  I am well-educated. I make it a priority to educate YOU on every aspect of your transaction.

 Ø       I have a list of references, past clients, and professional associations whom you can call at any time to discuss the quality of service I have provided to other people just like YOU. 

Ø       I have developed an EXCLUSIVE Step marketing plan that is unequalled by anyone in the business.   I do this because my dedication to selling your home is also unsurpassed.  There’s no other way I can live up to that expectation without extraordinary marketing capabilities. 

Ø       I make regular contact with all my clients. You will NEVER feel out of touch with me! 

Ø       I guarantee everything I do!  If you’re not happy with me, you may fire me.  This places the burden of risk to perform on ME, not you. 

Ø       I have references for reliable title companies, escrow companies, financing sources many agents are clueless about, insurance companies, inspectors, attorneys, and others directly relating to your transaction.  If you choose to use any of them, you won’t be dealing with arbitrary people.  These are professionals I have used personally in other transactions. 

Ø       I schedule showings around your schedule, and to respect your personal and family time.   This requires special planning and forethought most agents do not consider. 

Ø       Each day, I speak with several individuals directly related to real estate buying or selling.  This allows me to create a communication link of properties to people. 

Ø       Most Importantly: I generate the majority of my clients through referrals alone.  I do very little traditional marketing.  Instead, I focus 110% of my efforts into providing such outstanding service, my clients are inclined to refer my services to family, friends, and acquaintances.   

      On the surface, it may seem there are lots of REALTORS^® to choose from.    

      But just because there are lots of Realtors out there doesn’t mean they can all do the same job for you... 

 All REALTORS^® Are NOT The Same! 

      I have enclosed with this report a special coupon.  By simply calling my number at 452-1234, I’ll share with you my exclusive “Maximum Home Value Audit”.  Here’s what you’ll get, absolutely FREE and without obligation whatsoever: 

Ø       I’ll conduct a careful, thorough valuation of your home, based on real world facts, in an EASY to understand format.  You won’t get any inflated values just to pressure you into listing with me. 

And you won’t get anything like “I have a buyer right now who’s interested in your specific home, and if you list with me, I’ll bring him by right now.”  With me, you’ll get NO pressure.  No arm twisting.  Just a real world, honest, fact-filled analysis. 

Ø       I’ll tour your home to identify items that could negatively affect your selling price.   As I mentioned earlier, some of my findings could bring as much as $10 in extra sales price for every $1 you invest.  By the end of my tour, you’ll have a checklist of strategies designed to “position” your home to sell for the most money possible. 

Ø       I’ll share with you my Top Dollar Marketing Plan.  My plan will give you insider secrets on how to promote your home properly, how to handle buyers, how to avoid crime, and much more. 

 Ø       I believe in incentives, so here’s one just to “sweeten the pot.”  If you call before the expiration date marked on the coupon, AND if you select me to market your home, I’ll provide a FREE HOME INSPECTION by a licensed inspector to identify potential problems that could kill a sale.  That’s a $400 value I’ll include absolutely FREE. 

Ø       PLUS, I guarantee everything I do.  If any other agent won’t guarantee their services, ask them why?  You’re staking the successful sale of your home on their abilities, why shouldn’t they stake their commission the very same way?  I place my priorities in the same place as yours.  We’re in this together! 

Ø       When selling your home, the LAST thing you need is added pressure.  That’s why I’ll answer all of your questions.  And give you one less thing to worry about during these hectic times.   

But Don’t Wait! 

      You’ll notice I placed an expiration date for your Free Home Inspection on the attached coupon.  I did this for a very good reason.   

      I enjoy working with clients, and sometimes my practice gets booked up fast.  In order to make sure I have undivided time for you, I need to hear from you immediately so there are no conflicts in scheduling our meeting.  

      Plus, I know there’s a natural tendency to procrastinate and put off important decisions.  But the more you procrastinate, the more pressure ultimately rests with you.

By Not Acting Now, You Could Open Yourself To

Losing Thousands Of Dollars      

      So call now at 452-1234, and I’ll immediately arrange a convenient time to meet, and share with you my Maximum Home Value Audit.  It’s Free.   It’s FAST.  There’s no obligation whatsoever.  And it could save you thousands on your home sale.

Sincerely yours,

LeAnn Conrad     452-1234 Cell 450-1015    

 Email: conrad@hbci.com   Web: www.conrad.hbci.com 

P.S.  Once you have read this report completely, make a list of areas you would like to discuss.  Call me at 452-1234 to schedule your Maximum Home Value Audit.  My exclusive audit could save you thousands of dollars.  And it’s Free, and without obligation, pressure, “pitches,” or games.  So before you get distracted, call now!

Sell Your Home For TOP DOLLAR, Eliminate Costly Pitfalls, And Get A FREE Home Inspection $400 value… 

Call LeAnn Conrad Today at 452-1234

Copyright Conrad Solutions. All rights reserved. 
LeAnn Conrad is your source for selling and buying real estate in Winona.