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

Are you still paying rent? According to Trulia, Over 72% of  the largest U.S. cities have starter homes, condos and apartments  that are becoming more affordable as “owned” rather than “leased.” My suggestion is to find a good lender and see what you qualify for and then compare that with local rents in the areas you like to see if renting is cheaper or not! Go to www.zilpy.com for the cool tool tab to find estimated rents to compare. If you don’t have a lender, contact Dave Trillo at www.PlatinumMortgageNetwork.com and tell him I referred you. They run a top notch lending group.

Holiday time brings fun, excitement, cold weather, and usually a few overnight house guests!  Household appliances take on more wear and tear than usual. If your water heater is more than a few years old, it’s a good idea to wrap it w/ a blanket to help save energy and money wasted in re-heating freezing cold water coming from those undergrown outside pipes. House guests or not, this tip just makes good sense!  How to do:  http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/139/1/Hot-water-heater-blankets.html

Anyone interested in living in the beautiful “Campus Commons” townhome community near University and Howe Avenues in Sacramento should stop by 1-4pm this Sunday, Sept 26th. Agents have pulled together a group open house event for listings in this fabulous neighborhood. Come say hello to Team Shanahan at our great REO property at 1102 Dunbarton Circle. See my website listings for more details. This REO is in wonderful shape w/ immediate bank response. You can’t beat that! Hope to see you there…

Are you looking for an estate in Roseville? Over 2 million went into this home and it’s now listed for $1,050,000 (only $169.35 sft!). See if this is a fit for you … 

NOT an REO or Shortsale! Spectacular Tuscan Masterpiece in Whispering Canyon Stoneridge Gated Community. This Premier Jewel is 6200sf w/Walnut & Maple Flrs, Granite, Travertine, Venetian Plaster, Italian ArcusStone, EIFS Construction, State of the Art Thermador, Meile, Broan, GE Profile appliances. 5 Bedrm Suites w/5 Designer Bathrms + 1 Guest Bath. 5 Fireplaces, Formal & Casual Dining, Family & Living Rms, Theater, Billiards & Library Rooms. Basement Sauna Room w/full Bath. Camera & Wired Security. 2 Balconies & So Much More. Must See!  Video Link: YouTube – 1757 Park Oak Drive Roseville CA

Check out the new “city tab” for GRANITE BAY located along the top of my blog page. I appreciate the fine folks at Granite Bay Country Club and Johnson Ranch Racquet Club for their warm welcome in touring the spectacular grounds of each facility. Granite Bay is fortunate to have such wonderful amenities in their community!  Hope you like the new video…