The Best Remodeling Projects That Add Value to Your Home

Thinking of making updates to your home before you put it on the housing market? Or maybe you’ve just bought your dream house and you want to put your own stamp on your home. Even if you’ve just moved in, you want to start thinking about things like home value so that you know you can get your money’s worth from your new home. These remodeling projects will not only make your home more comfortable to live in, but will help to optimize your home value.

Bathroom

An outdated bathroom can be a turn-off when viewing a home. It makes a clean space feel dirty, whether it’s simply old tiles or it lacks some of the most recent conveniences. On the other hand, a modern, updated bathroom feels sleek and clean, making an exciting impression on prospective buyers that justifies a boost in value. You can simply update existing features with newer versions, or add extra storage, better shower heads or upgraded faucets.

Landscape

Not all remodeling projects have to take place inside. Taking care of the scenery around your house is a critical part of boosting your curb appeal and thus, your home value. If your front lawn is too overgrown, time to trim those bushes to improve your view from the front window and start to mow the lawn regularly. Does your backyard look a little bare? Start planting a garden, whether it’s a traditional flowerbed or a more eco-friendly succulent garden. You can organize the landscape by creating a serene walkway or, if you feel like adding a water feature like a man made pool or a fountain.

Kitchen

Does your kitchen leave something to be desired? Maybe you need to add more lighting or update your countertops. Maybe you need more child-safe storage or more compact storage to leave a little more open space in the kitchen. A modern kitchen, like a modern bathroom, is an impressive draw to homebuyers and can make your home much more enjoyable and comfortable. You may also be able to make small changes that make a big difference, such as sanding and repainting your cabinets rather than buying new cabinets or changing the backsplash rather than repainting the entire wall.

Door and Window Replacement

This is a fairly small remodeling project, but makes a big difference. Your windows and doors not only add style and function to your home, but they have a strong impact on your home’s insulation and energy efficiency. If your windows and doors let in too much air, they can cause drafts and spikes in your heating and cooling. Consider replacing wood windows and doors, which require heavy maintenance, with more durable, energy efficient options like fiberglass. Fiberglass and steel entry doors, especially, are seeing a boost in home value.

Want to learn more how to get the most out of your dream home — or out of listing your home on the College Station housing market? Contact an expert College Station realtor today to help you through the process.

9 Problem Areas Often Found in Home Inspections

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When you’re buying a new home, a home inspection is an important part of the process. Do your research to find a licensed home inspector.  You can also get some tips from your realtor. Your College Station realtor will be able to help you because her clients have worked with many local inspectors. 

No house is perfect. Some issues found during the inspection are no big deal, while others could cost a lot to fix. Knowing the difference is important. When an inspection turns up a problem, make sure to get as many details as possible. If necessary, you might want to get a repair estimate or two in order to make sure you know what you are getting into.  Some repairs can be delayed while others are more pressing concerns. 

These are some of the most common problem areas:

1. Roofing: issues with roofing may be caused by improper installation, age, and wear, or storm damage. These can range from a minor repair of a few shingles to needing a new roof. 

2. Water heater/Plumbing: Whether it’s a problem with the water heater itself, or the area it sits in not being up to code, this one can vary in how much time and money will be needed to fix it.  

3. HVAC: It could be air flow, simply needing a new air filter, code violations, combustion issues, as well as other issues may arise. Some are very cheap and easy to fix. 

4. Electrical: This can be anything from a single DIY outlet project a former owner has undertaken, or it can be a larger issue that should be given attention. Also, the circuit breaker panel may be out of date and not up to current code.  

5. Foundation: As with any other issue, you need to get as many details as possible. Your inspector may recommend that the foundations be evaluated by a professional. Repair costs can be anywhere from $500 to over $10,000. 

6. Appliances: It’s important that every appliance that is coming with the house be checked to make sure it’s in working order. It’s also a good idea to ask if they are under warranty.

7. Walls, floors, ceilings, and windows can have many minor defects that aren’t a big concern. But there are other issues that might warrant further investigation. Windows and doors should be checked for a good seal. It’s also important to look for signs of rotting wood and termite damage.

8. Environmental issues: Mold, lead-based paint, radon, and asbestos are all concerning, Your inspector may suggest that it be evaluated by a professional to see how extensive the problem, if any, really is. 

9. Drainage: You want to make sure that any property you purchase can handle a little rain. You might not see a problem yourself when you see the property during a hot Texas summer, but your inspector will. Water damage is expensive to repair, so having an inspector find signs of a potential problem could save you money in the future.

Buying a home may be the largest investment you ever make, so making sure you have all the facts ahead of time is vital. If you’re still concerned after the inspection that something may go wrong, you may be able to negotiate for a home warranty or buy one yourself. That way your real estate investment will have additional protection. 

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX

4303 Willowick Drive, Bryan, TX 77802

4303 Willowick Drive, Bryan, TX 77802

4 Common Real Estate Myths

4303 Willowick Dr

Every trade has its own myths surrounding it, but in real estate, myths can cost you money. Here are some ideas you may have come across or believed yourself. Take a look at these myths and see how believing them could be detrimental to your next real estate transaction. 

Myth #1: Selling a home without the help of an agent will save you money.

“For Sale By Owner” properties can actually lose money. The reason is that the owners selling the property are not often well versed in real estate transactions. With the help of a realtor a lot of costly mistakes could be avoided. For example, you may not know how to negotiate the best price fro your home. Simply overpricing it to allow room for negotiation could leave your house sitting on the market for months longer than you can afford. 

Myth #2: Price your property above its value to leave room for negotiation.

It seems logical that since real estate transactions often involve negotiations, you should price your property in anticipation of a buyer asking you to lower the price. The problem with this is that buyers are cautious with their money. When they see several internet listings of properly priced homes, they might not even bother to look at your home to begin negotiations. 
Pricing your house correctly will make the buyers more likely to show up and take an interest. 

Myth #3: Find the perfect house and then get pre-approved for a loan

One of the first steps in the search for a new home is getting a pre-approval for a loan. Why?  Because you need to know exactly how much you’ll be able to spend on your new home. It would be terrible to fall in love with a home only to find out you can’t buy it. Sure, you can have a house in mind and ask the bank if you can have a loan for a house in that price range, but don’t wait until you’ve made your mind up to buy a certain house. You may end up heartbroken. 

Myth #4: Realtors will say anything to get a sale.

Realtors have to follow strict rules and regulations in order to keep their license. Before becoming a licensed realtor, every realtor has to learn ethics and the rules and regulations that dictate real estate transactions and their behavior. 

Also, realtors get much of their business by word of mouth. If they go around making people angry, they won’t stay in business for long. So, they have every reason to be honest and straightforward with you.  That way you can tell your friends and family all about your wonderful realtor whenever one of them wants to buy or sell a home. 

10 Tips to Spruce Up an Old Wooden Deck

Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net

Your College Station realtor may find you the ultimate dream house with a great location and fabulous interior. It has great curb appeal and everything you ever wanted, but when you walk to the backyard, you find that the previous owners did not maintain the deck very well. Do not pass the house up when you can spruce up the old wooden deck in an affordable fashion.

Affordable Construction Projects to Improve an Old Deck

1 – Refinish the Wood

The largest and possibly most expensive way to update the deck is hiring a professional to sand it down and refinish it completely. This process can make an old deck look completely new so it might be worth the cost.

2 – Remove or Replace Railings
Many older decks had heavy railings all the way around even when they weren't needed. Consider removing railings on low decks and extending the stairs. New, more stylish railing may be a great idea too.

3 – Replace Damaged or Rotting Boards

For appearance and safety's sake, all deck boards that are squishy, warped or broken should be removed and replaced.

4 – Extend the Deck

If the old deck is too small for your purposes or does not match the house's size, hire a professional deck builder to extend it so the newer deck part integrates well with the old.

5 – Add a Gazebo or Pergola

For entertaining or just relaxing in the warm Texas summers, a gazebo or pergola offers shade and a spark of interest for an older deck.


Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Professional Deck Projects

5 – Power Washing

Homeowners can rent a power-washing machine and, with proper regard to safety, clean all the debris, moss and even some stains off the old deck boards. This should be done before applying and waterproofing or other treatments.

6 – Get a Moss and Mildew Treatment

Kill off any mildew and prevent the growth of more with a chemical treatment that can be brushed on with a sponge mop or similar. This will do more to prevent future damage than other options.

7 – Add Lattice or Built-In Decorations

Some small construction projects are perfect for fans of do-it-yourself. Adding lattice under the deck railings only takes proper measuring, cutting and a few nails. Building a sturdy rectangular box shape can create a built-in planter or a bench to sit on.


Decorator Accents to Bring New Life to an Old Deck

8 – Improve Seating Areas

Worn out patio furniture on an old deck will not encourage people to enjoy the backyard. Invest in new furniture or at least new cushions. Include just enough seating to handle everyone without making the deck look crowded.

9 – Add Planters and Flower Pots

Bring the garden closer by making container gardens for the corners of the deck, putting pots of fragrant herbs on the edges of the stairs, climbing vines up the pergola or hanging colorful flowering plants from the house overhang.

10 – Create Shade With Umbrellas or Awnings

Install a large roller awning to your house that can be stretched across the width of the deck to provide shade. This not only makes the deck more useful in the summer heat, it also makes any unattractive characteristics of the deck less noticeable.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley!

How to Check Out the Neighborhood Before You Buy

Image credit freedigitalphotos.net

The most gorgeous dream home in the world is only as good as the neighborhood and neighbors surrounding it. It is easy to fall in love with a property from the professional photographs on real estate websites and by driving by for an open house. Unfortunately, the greatest home may turn into a nightmare if the neighborhood is not what you expect after the move.

To be sure the community suits your lifestyle and interests, it is important to check out the surrounding area and the other people who live there before you buy. Location is as important as the house itself unless you plan to stay inside all the time.

Research Statistics or Contact the Authorities
Finding school system information, demographic data and crime statistics for different areas is relatively easy on the internet. These things are the minimum basic pieces of information you should have before deciding to buy a home in a particular neighborhood.

While it may be comforting to know that violent crime and theft is minimal around your future home, it does not give you the full picture of what it is really like to live there.

Get Involved With Online Communities

Different neighborhoods, towns and regions frequently have social networking communities online. These can be found on social media like Facebook or through message boards like City-Data.com. Talking with people who actually live in the neighborhoods you think about moving to gives a lot more information than some statistics.

Ask what they like and dislike about the area. Find out how the kids like the schools and local activities. Don't be shy about expressing your concerns or asking anything that would affect your move.

Visit the Neighborhood at Different Time and on Different Days

If possible, take multiple drives to check out the area around the house you might buy. Don't visit only during the weekday when most people are at work and the kids at school. Weekend drive-bys will give you even more information because these are the days people are home and more active. It is better to find out before the move that the guy on the corner mows his law every other day at 7AM, or a group of teens turn their open garage into a rock stage three nights per week.

Introduce Yourself to Neighbors

While it is impossible to interview everyone on the street to see if they will be a good friend or a bother, introducing yourself to a few people near the house for sale may help you get a better idea about the friendliness of the neighborhood and their opinions about living there. Stopping to say "Hi!" to anyone outside when you drive around the block is not only a great way to get information but also to gauge how welcoming the community really is.

Featured Lot for Sale in Bryan, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley!

Gardening in Central Texas

Image courtesy of Stoonn@FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Gardening in Central Texas can be a challenge, but if you know the right plants and techniques, you will have a beautiful yard in Central Texas. 

General Tips
It is important to know the amount of light and water each plant needs. Not providing the plant with an adequate amount or giving it too much of either water or sunlight is a sure way to kill it.

You should enrich the soil with organic matter such as compost or shredded leaves. The Texas soil is clay with a high pH, which are not ideal growing conditions for plants.

Plant in the fall during the rain or right after. Do not pack down the soil when planting and don’t mix plants that have different sun and water needs in the same beds.

Cover all bare areas with mulch after planting. This will give the plant protection from the hot sun and bite of winter as well as help prevent weeds.

Flowers
Central Texas has a mild climate that allows for flowers to bloom all year as long as you know which ones to plant and how to properly care for them. The best planting time and water and sun requirements vary by plant. Ask your garden center where you purchase your flowers if you aren't sure of these important details. Lantanas, alyssum, ruellia, salvias, and roses are a few flowers that grow well in Central Texas.

Trees
Trees should be planted in late fall or winter to help them develop their root system and establish growing before it has to withstand the heat of a Central Texas summer. A few trees that do well in Central Texas are apple, peach, sumac, and magnolia.

Having a beautifully landscaped yard in Central Texas is possible with the right care and knowledge. Planting in the correct season with proper methods and making sure the plants receive all the sun and water they need will counteract the difficult conditions of the Central Texas sun and soil.

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX 

 

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Important Late Spring Lawn Care Tips

Image credit

After moving into your new home, you may have jumped right on making the outside as beautiful as the inside, especially if you moved in late fall or early spring. You most likely did all the fertilizing so your lawn would be the jewel of your neighborhood. Well, now you should be seeing all your hard work paying off with your flowerbeds in full bloom and your grass a deep, healthy green. However, there are late spring lawn care tips that will keep your home’s curb appeal turning heads.

Proper Watering

This may sound like a given, but knowing the right way to water your lawn will ensure it stays lush and does not become over or under saturated. Watering for short burst several times a week may not be beneficial to your lawn’s health, especially as the temperatures in BryanCollege Station, Texas begin to soar. It is best to water for longer periods fewer times a week. This way the ground will have time to absorb the water. Otherwise, the light watering could just evaporate before ever reaching the roots.

Leave the Lawn Clippings

Many homeowners in Central Texas have the tendency to remove the lawn clippings after to during mowing. However, it is better for your lawn to leave them and just use a rake to scatter any clumps of cut grass. The clippings will help to nourish your yard.

Get Down and Dirty with the Weeds

Now that your lawn is full of nutrient rich, hydrated soil, weeds will be looking to move right in. You can use weed control products, but many can actually kill your grass too. The best method to remove weeds from your yard is to dig them up. You will need to dig down to the roots, so they do not pop back up and spread all over your lawn ruining all your hard work.

Residents living in Bryan College Station know that with the proper lawn care, their yards will remain beautiful all summer long. These late spring lawn care tips will ensure all the TLC put into creating your outdoor space will continue to flourish.

Featured Home for Sale in Bryan, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Short Guide for Closing Up Your Home for the Summer

With the summer months fast approaching, vacation is on everyone’s minds. This usually means you will need to close up your home for the summer while you travel. There is no better time to get everything set up to make the process easier. Spring in Bryan College Station has many cool days to make the tasks below more enjoyable as well.

Checklist for closing your home up for summer vacation or travel:

Image credit

1. Organize your Laundry – getting all the non-essentials washed and packed away will limit the amount of items left in closets and dresser drawers while you are away. Also, consider setting items you plan to take with you to the side or even in the luggage you intend to take to cut down on packing time later.
2. Spring Clean – Be sure to give your home a deep spring-cleaning to ensure there is nothing that can mildew or mold while you are away. No one wants to come home to that forgotten mug of coffee on the nightstand now full of smelly liquid.
3. Reduce Chances of Moisture – In all your sinks, showers, and tub drains, be sure to put in a stopper and cover your toilets with plastic film/wrap. This will ensure there is no unnecessary moisture leeching into your home, causing a nasty mold infestation.
4. Your HVAC System – First, be sure your air conditioner unit is in proper working order. Second, set your thermostat to come on periodically. There is no need to have it stay on to cool your home while you are away, but having it kick on occasionally will keep the humidity low.
5. Don’t forget the Exterior – It is a good idea to inspect or have inspected the exterior of your home before you leave. This should include the paint, siding, gutters, foundation, windows, doors, and septic system. You will also want to have your lawn mowed regularly while away by either a neighbor or a lawn care service.

While relaxing on your vacation, you should not have to worry about what is happening at your home all the way back in Central Texas. This short guide will get you off to a great start in ensuring you can close up your home and head out of your next summer adventure carefree. 

Featured Home for Sale in Bryan, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Relocating with Ease

Image credit

Relocating can be scary. That's why when you are moving into your new house in Bryan CollegeStation you should scope out as much of Central Texas as you can first. Whether you are being transferred in because of your job or have been planning to relocate for a while, it is a good idea to know the area a head of time.

You can find information on the internet, through the real estate office, and through people who live there. Being able to learn information about the place you are moving to will help make it a lot easier on you. You will already know a little about where you are going and what you will be doing when you get there. 

• Check the web for nearby schools and colleges, such as A&M in Bryan College Station, where you are moving

• Check the crime rate of the neighborhoods in the area

• Look up information about the activities available

• Fine a real estate agent, relocating on your own can be very stressful 

• Gather information about the weather in the area

• Check out the prices of houses in different areas to figure out where the best place for is for you and your family

• Look for blogs in the area you are moving, to see what the people like about it

      Having peace of mind about moving some place safe with a lot to offer your family is worth doing the research and learning as much as possible. Once you know you can choose the best neighborhood, you will have feelings that are more positive about your relocation to a new home in Central Texas.

                                                    
                                             Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Pet Proofing Your Yard

Image credit

Just a fair warning when buying your new home in Bryan College Station it is important to pet proof your yard, and make sure they will be safe outdoors. Remember some plants can be dangerous to your pets. Foxtail grass is a weed that can get into your dog's eyes and cause him to become sick. Some other plants that are bad for your animals are Norfolk pine, and even Ivy. Make sure these plants aren’t growing in your yard.

If your beautiful Central Texas lawn has been treated recently for pests, then make sure you keep your pets off of them for at least a day so they do not get into the poisonous treatment. You might not think about it, but pets can also choke on small stones or small things in the yard so make sure you try to keep the small things out of the yard.

Lastly, remember that you need to install a sturdy fence that your pet cannot dig under or jump over. Pets get bored in the yard and sometimes try to find their way out. In addition, they could get easily lost due to moving to a new home. Also, be mindful if you have a backyard pool or pond, because it can be difficult for little animals to get out if they slip in.

If you remember to do these things before you turn your pet loose in their new back yard, you will avoid many preventable accidents and save a lot of money on vet bills. Remember your new house needs to be prepared for your family and your pets.

Featured Home for Sale in Franklin, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.

Curb Appeal Made Simple

Image credit: iriana88w / 123RF Stock Photo

When moving to a new home in Bryan College Station you want to immediately put your touch on it. This is why curb appeal is so rewarding and lets you take pride in your new home and the way it looks from the road. There are several ways you can add to the curb appeal when you move to Central Texas. The following are just a few of the simple ways you can dress up the outside of your new home and really make it appealing.

·         Decorate the front door by painting it or just changing out the fixtures
·         Install outdoor lighting
·         Add a colorful flower bed or several
·         Tub gardens can instantly add appeal
·         Stone walkways and stepping stones
·         Add arbors and fence panels
·         Shutters and exterior trim
·         Renew the painting and the trim for a fresh look
·         Tile your porch
·         Make your driveway designer
·         Apply a stone veneer to the outside of your home or the patio

You can add art to your yard in the way of statues and bird baths (with the heat in Central Texas, the birds with be sure to pay your home a visit). The way you like to decorate can be applied to the outside of your home. Some people like to have a theme that ties everything together, and some people like to place things that will make them happy when they look at them, like a special tree or flowers from their grandparents’ garden. Just remember adding to the curb appeal will make your new place feel more like home. 

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.