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Everyone loves to update their homes, and if you live in an older home in an appreciating neighborhood, it can be a fantastic investment. There are some pitfalls to avoid, which can cost a homeowner quite a bit of money because of no return on investment. However, it’s better to focus on what TO do and stay the course.

1. Raise the Roof!!! Not literally, but gut the attic, and raise the ceiling in, at least, the living room. Older homes typically have 8 foot ceilings, and it’s one of the first characteristics that buyers notice. It’s relatively inexpensive, when you compare your return on investment, to demolish the ceilings of your older home and sheetrock over your new, vaulted ceiling. It’s amazing how much larger and lighter your home will feel.
2. Knock Down Walls Literally, knock down as many walls as you can and still retain the integrity of the home, and the NECESSARY separation of rooms. If you compare older homes to newer homes, you’ll notice that older homes are typically “choppy” while newer homes feel “open and flow well.” This is due to “line of sight.” Newer homes opt for less separation in rooms. You can create this same feeling by demolishing a half-wall that separates your kitchen from the living room or knocking down the wall between the living room and dining room to create one grand room. You’ll be AMAZED at the difference it makes.
3. Overhaul Your Kitchen and/or Master Bathroom These are the two rooms in the house that you can ALMOST go overboard and still get your money back when you sell the home. Refinish or replace the cabinetry, put in new tile and sinks – even install a new, stand-up shower! When (or if) you put your home on the market, you should see a GREAT return on investment.
4. Add a Master Bathroom The 1-Bathroom houses from the 1970’s and earlier are now obsolete. Americans have decided that we like a private bathroom for ourselves and another bathroom for our guests and children. While 90% of the house additions are bad ideas because they don’t flow well or create poorly usable space, a master bathroom addition is a fantastic way to add more square footage, and more value to your home. Make SURE that your builder ties in the new slab to the old, and make sure that the addition is done properly. A poorly designed or executed addition never adds value – most buyers immediately imagine demolishing the work.
5. Xeriscape Your Lawn It’s trendy, it’s cheap – it should be a go! Your homes curb appeal is the first thing that buyers notice, and it’s how buyers decide whether or not they’ll “click on your house” online to further investigate the interior. You can xeriscape a ¼ acre lot for around $3000, and you’ll more than make up for that when your home goes on the market. Furthermore, it’s environmentally & fiscally responsible. Stop wasting water!
6. Paint!!! It’s fairly obvious, but painting your home modern, neutral colors makes a HUGE difference in the appearance of the home. And when you factor in the cost – roughly $0.75/s.f. – it would be a HUGE mistake to forego painting your home when you decide it’s time to modernize it. If you’re planning on staying in the home for some time, paint it whatever colors you wish, but plan on repainting right before it’s time to put it up for sale. If you plan on updating your home in order to sell it, go with neutral colors so that it will appeal to the widest audience.
7. Put in Wood Floors You won’t ALWAYS get your money out of installing wood floors. If you’re in a great area, and it’s time to replace the floors, look at the cost difference between tile, pergo, and wood. If your home will sell for $250k+ then forget about pergo and, if you choose tile, make sure it’s not cheap tile. If the cost difference between wood and your other options is negligible, then go with wood – it appeals to the most buyers.

Eric Bramlett is the Broker and co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin Texas. He has seen considerable success in real estate, and looks forward to many more years in the business. Eric currently invests, renovates, and develops real estate in the Greater Austin Texas Market. He spends his time working with select clients, helps his new agents get started in their real estate careers, helps his experienced agents progress their careers to the next level, & when he has time…he takes his dogs to the lake. Visit Eric’s Austin Texas Real Estate Guide & visit his Austin Texas Real Estate company’s website.

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Home sellers and owners refinancing their mortgages often have to endure a unique ordeal: the home appraisal. If you’re selling, you want the highest appraisal value possible to make sure the sale goes through. If you’re refinancing you’re probably cashing out equity. Either way, each dollar of appraised value is potentially a dollar in your pocket.

It’s never a good idea to try and fool the appraiser – most of them have seen every trick in the book – but there are simple things you can do to squeeze some extra value or equity out of your home.

1. Make the place presentable.
   You don’t have to be able to eat off the floors – the house doesn’t even have to be as spotless as it would be for an open house. But impressions matter. Strewn laundry, dirty dishes, full wastebaskets, all can contribute to the wrong kind of impression.
2. Fix or replace broken windows, railings, steps, and other hazards.Your chances of being able to avoid this, even if the buyer doesn’t care, are slim to none now that the mortgage lender wants an appraisal. (And zero if your buyer is going through the FHA.) So take care of it beforehand. And any appliances that are staying with the house, if you’re selling? Those have to work, too.
3. Have your real estate agent present during the inspection.You can’t usually fool an appraiser – and your agent can’t either. But your agent is trained better to think on his feet at times like these, and is more likely to address nagging concerns of the appraiser’s than you are. Sellers, your agent works for you – put him to work during the appraisal.
4. Love what you’ve done with the place?Hardwood floors four years ago? Bathroom remodeled two and a half years ago? Lawn re-sodded last summer? Bring these to the appraiser’s attention. Don’t expect your appraised value to go up by the amount you invested, but don’t be shy about pointing out what you’ve done.
5. Control your pets and kids.The less stressful the appraiser’s inspection, the better off you’ll both be. An appraiser worried about being attacked or who is constantly distracted isn’t as likely to come through with the highest value.
6. Control the urge to do the appraiser’s job for him.You will often hear that you should suggest homes sold in the area recently the appraiser can compare yours to. In truth, the appraiser considers that his job, and is more likely to resent it than be grateful. And he may have a point. You – and your agent – are interested in getting the highest value possible. The appraiser knows that, and may actually discount a comparable sale you come up with.That being said, information and suggestions offered will often be graciously received. Just don’t overdo it. Understand where the appraiser is coming from – he understands where you’re coming from.
7. Cooperate.A lot of people don’t like a stranger wandering around their home sizing it up. But it’s for your own good. And a friendly, cooperative owner makes a much more favorable impression than a contentious one.

Eric Bramlett currently manages his Austin Real Estate Guide, his Tulsa Real Estate company’s website, & his Cat Mountain Austin Guide.

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Selling your first home can be a nerve-wracking experience. When buying your first home, it’s normal to be a bit scared – but also excited & with plenty of plans for the future. However, when it’s time to finally sell your largest investment, many sellers are filled with questions and doubt. Will my home sell? How should I price it? What do I need to do to make sure it’s in showing condition? When it’s time to sell your largest investment, you need sound guidance & advice. Follow these tips to your first successful sale.

1. What Was Once Your “Home” is Now Your “Property”
   It’s normal to be emotional about your home. You’ve celebrated holidays, entertained friends & family, & hopefully have great memories in your home. However, as soon as you’ve made the decision to sell your home, it now becomes a financial asset. It’s no longer your “home,” it’s now your “property.” As hard as it is, try and remove any emotion from the sale of your property.
2. Location, Condition, & Price
   How quickly & successfully you can sell your property boils down to location, condition, & price. There’s not much you can do about location. However, you have the perfect opportunity to make sure your home is in great showing condition, and you have full control over the asking price of your property. Make the right decisions over what you can control – condition & price – and you should be able to successfully sell your property in a reasonable time.
3. Forget How Much You Paid For Your Property
   What you paid for your property has little to no effect over its present value. The most important factors to your property’s present value are the comparable homes that have sold within the last 6 months. This can be a little hard for some sellers to swallow, because it’s something you have no control over. However, understanding this fact is key to successfully selling your home in a reasonable amount of time.
4. It Doesn’t Matter How Much You Spent on Improvements
   Improvements to your home do play a big part in your home’s value, but the amount you spent on those improvements doesn’t mean much. If you spent $1000 on materials for wood floors, and installed them yourself, that doesn’t mean that your home is worth only $1000 more. Conversely, if you significantly overpaid for improvements to your home, it doesn’t mean that your home is worth that amount more. Again, market value plays the biggest factor. If homes with wood floors typically sell for $5000 more in your neighborhood, your home is worth $5000 more than comparable homes without wood floors.
5. Consult a Realtor ASAP – And Focus on Service
   Once you’ve made the decision to sell your property, contact a reputable Realtor as soon as possible. Interview Realtors until you find the agent who is right for you – it might take one listing presentation, and it might take many more! While it is important to take note of the marketing fees each agent will charge, focus your attention on the services an agent will provide. Selling your home can be stressful, and you want to make sure that the agent guiding you through the process will provide you exceptional service & communication throughout the transaction.
6. You Get One Chance to Make a First Impression
   Property condition can help you immensely when selling your home – and it can also be as big a detriment. Make sure & improve your property as much as possible – within reason. Touch up any necessary paint, de-clutter your home, plant fresh flowers, & make sure your home has a pleasant aroma. Your Realtor should help you with sound advice to get your home in top showing condition.
7. Relax
   If you’ve priced your home correctly, made sure it’s in good showing condition, & hired the right agent, you should sell your home in a reasonable amount of time. However, you’re still at the mercy of the market. Relax, maintain your home’s showing condition, & adjust the price if market conditions & feedback call for it. Pay attention to average days on market, but don’t become too distraught if it takes a little longer to sell your property. You’ve done all you can to successfully sell your property, and it surely will!

Eric Bramlett currently manages his Austin Texas Homes Guide, his Austin Real Estate company’s website, & his Austin Lofts Guide.

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