www.TeamShanahan.com

The marketing company surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals to discover which DIY home improvement projects give sellers the biggest return for their buck. Here are six projects under $1,000 (amounts are estimated) that made the list.

1.Cleaning and decluttering. Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and shelves, and make the home sparkling clean.
◦$290 Cost
◦$1,990 Return
2.Brightening. Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
◦$375 Cost
◦ $1,550 Return
3.Smart staging. Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
◦$550 Cost
◦$2,194 Return
4.Landscaping enhancements. Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.
◦$540 Cost
◦$1,932 return
5.Repairing electrical or plumbing. Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition. Update the home’s electrical with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old plug points with new safety fixtures.
◦$535 Cost
◦$1,505 Return
6.Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets. Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.
◦$647 Cost
◦$1,739 Return
Excerpted from HomeGain’s 2011 Home Sale Maximizer Survey: www.homesalemaximizer.com

This weekend June 4-5th is “National” Open House Weekend. Continue to check www.sacrealtor.org for the updated list of opens in our whole Greater Sacramento Areas. Happy hunting & call if you need me!

You’ll always hear that ”location, location, location” is a main priority when talking to a Realtor about buying real estate. What priority should you hear coming from a “listing agent” regarding  real estate? In my opinion it should be “Disclose, Disclose, Disclose.” Now this may scare some of you potential sellers…but think about it carefully. Always put yourself on the other side of the transaction. If you’re a buyer and someone has told you everything about a property (ie…the modifications, home improvements, repairs, and even the little quirks), you’re more likely to be fully satisfied with your purchase  and not want to sue someone if you knew about it ahead of time. I’ve found that buyers don’t usually walk away from too much disclosure. It’s usually the other way around. Many buyers are nervous receiving disclosures from sellers with little to nothing on the paperwork. I mean seriously…can you really live in a house for even as little as 5 years and not have something you’ve fixed, improved or had to giggle a certain way? Come on sellers!!! Disclose, disclose, disclose. This makes common sense and will keep you out of the courtroom. Not to mention…it’s just the right thing to do!