Home Improvements that Have the Largest and Smallest Impact On Your Home’s Value

If you decide to sell your home, you probably want to get the best possible price. You'll hear or read lots of advice on preparing the house for a quick, profitable sale, from staging to making necessary repairs. However, you might also consider the potential benefits of other improvements designed to increase a home's beauty, utility, and overall appeal. Since some improvements impact home value more than others, let's examine some of the most and least valuable enhancements.     A Useful Home Office COVID-19 encouraged many employers to let their employees work from home, while countless entrepreneurs have always maintained home offices. Research indicates that creating a dedicated home office space can boost your home's resale value by at least $10,000. However, resist the urge to convert your garage into that home office. Buyers expect a home to include a usable garage, even if they don't end up parking their cars inside it. For this reason, garage conversions hurt resale value instead of helping it. Modify your attic or basement instead.     Eye-Catching Paint and Lighting Painting your home's interiors offers a simple way to boost its resale value by over $2,000 while also making the rooms and hallways look more inviting to buyers. Clever home staging techniques invariably include painting a home in strategically neutral colors such as white, ivory, beige, and gray. These neutral colors, combined with a sparse arrangement of equally neutral furniture, help home shoppers imagine their own families and belongings occupying the home. New or modified lighting fixtures can make your freshly-painted interiors look even more cheerful. Moderately-priced lighting fixtures can look just as appealing as the high-end options, allowing you to increase your ROI. Many buyers love homes with features such as recessed lighting, automated timers, and dimmer switches. LED lights offer the additional appeal of long life and tremendous energy efficiency. Installation of these lights can boost your resale value by up to 3%.     Fabulous Flooring New flooring can breathe new life into your home's interior. It can also yield a solid return on your remodeling investment, but only if you select the right flooring material. Clay tile can provide a higher ROI than porcelain tile, for example, because the latter always requires professional installation. Wood flooring commands the highest ROI and can add 2.5 percent to your home's total value. Think twice before selecting the most luxurious marble tile with the notion that it will command a higher asking price. Many buyers prefer harder-wearing materials that require less care and offer easier replacement or repairs. As for carpeting, it may disappoint buyers who expect to see solid flooring in the house's entryway or other public living areas, so you'll probably achieve a low ROI on this choice.     A Long-Lasting New Roof As you may know from previous experience, a roof replacement represents a serious investment. However, it can also pay big dividends if you want to sell your home. Although a new roof may only yield an ROI of 60 to 68 percent, it can still boost home sellers' asking prices by an average of $12,000. The appeal of a new roof that shouldn't need replacing for decades can also help you sell your home more quickly to a more enthusiastic pool of buyers, allowing you to start the bidding at a higher price point.     Exterior Enhancements That attractive new roof offers only one way of increasing your home's curb appeal and resale value. Almost anything you do to improve the exterior's beauty will yield dramatic results. For instance, consider the national average value added by installing new siding and windows. New fiber-cement siding can increase your home's value by $13,618, but even vinyl siding can raise its value by $11,315. A fresh set of vinyl-frame windows can add $13,297 in value, while wood-framed windows can increase resale value by an eye-popping $15,644.     Lovely Landscaping Curb appeal requires more than just fresh-looking exteriors and a beautiful roof. It also includes the visual impact of your lawn and garden on prospective buyers. A beautifully-landscaped property communicates that the owner has tended the home with loving care, implying a durable, good-looking property inside and out. Depending on the baseline value of your property and the specific modifications you make, an investment in professional landscaping could boost your home value by as much as 12.7%. To gain even more significant benefits from your landscaping efforts, equip your exterior walkway, porch, and driveway with exterior lighting. Buyers will like the safety and security that this lighting promises. They may also enjoy the idea of showing off their luxurious lawn, garden, and other exterior features at any time of day or night. Of course, that gorgeous lawn will stay gorgeous only if you take proper care of it throughout the home selling process. Try to mow the lawn and trim the hedges regularly (or schedule regular visits from a professional landscaping team) to preserve your property's good looks. Keep the front and back lawns free of toys, trash, and other items that might undercut your efforts.     Skip It: Swimming Pool Installation If you always thought installing a large, luxurious, sparkling swimming pool increases a home's desirability, think again. Specifically, ponder the extra expense and trouble your buyers must endure to maintain and operate that pool. Many buyers would prefer a pool-free home, so don't waste money on this project to increase your property's value.     Skip It: Limiting Your Living Space Taking a bedroom and converting it into a closet or home gym may seem like a great idea now, but, in the end, these projects are usually not worth it when it comes to resale because they're removing the home's livable space. What happens if a potential buyer doesn't need the extra closet space but could really use another bedroom?     Skip It: Wall-to-Wall Carpet Wall-to-wall carpeting is expensive and hard to maintain or clean, so it might not be a wise investment. Instead, people are using rugs to create that warmth without the commitment to full carpeting. That allows future homeowners to make their own decisions on flooring instead of needing to take up the carpeting.  If you're going to add carpet, we'd recommend sticking to your bedrooms but not expanding it to your living or great rooms.   Brilliant Move: Consult Your Trusted Real Estate Professional Hopefully, these home improvement options give you a clearer idea of how to boost your asking price. Consider taking the most intelligent step to ensure you get top dollar for your home. Contact us to discuss these home improvement tips and other ideas for increasing your home's value. Let's Talk

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Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Spokane, WA

From the best breakfast to the top spots for brunch Spokane has to offer, Spokane locals voted on the best early-morning eats in the city! Check out the local picks for the best brunch, bakery and eggs benedict in Spokane.     Chaps Officially named Chaps Coffee Co., everyone knows Chaps! Think oatmeal is just a boring breakfast meal? Think again with Chaps – people of all ages rave about their oatmeal! Besides oatmeal, Chaps also offers delicious egg dishes, breakfast sandwiches, a variety of pastries, and more. You can even grab lunch and salads if you prefer brunch in Spokane over breakfast! People rave about the prices and the portions, even if the wait can be a little long (especially on the weekends). There is a lot of seating, and plenty of free parking, but it can get crowded inside. You’ll stand in line and place your order at the front, then find your number and seat after you’ve ordered. Looking for drinks? In addition to coffee and tea, Chaps also has delicious breakfast mimosas beyond the typical orange juice option!   Location: 4237 Cheney Spokane Rd, Spokane Contact: (509) 624-4182 Website: CLICK HERE       The Yards Bruncheon The Yards Bruncheon is comfort food at its finest. If chicken and waffles, toasted banana bread, or delicious pastrami sandwiches sound like your kind of brunch, then don't pass up a meal at The Yards. From healthy options to indulgent delicacies, this diner-style brunch spot has a diverse menu with something for everyone. Oh, and don't miss out on The Yard's stellar mimosa flight!   Location: 1248 W. Summit Parkway, Spokane, WA 99201 Contact: 509-290-5952 Website: CLICK HERE     Frank's Diner I have this objection to brunch: Too much of it — scrambled eggs, say, or avocado toast — is something that you can easily make at home with similar results. Ah, but eggs Benedict is an exception. What elevates it from a mere Egg McMuffin variant is the hollandaise sauce. Sure, you can try to make hollandaise sauce at your home, if you manage to get the heat and the emulsion just right without breaking the sauce. Or you can just swing by Frank’s Diner and pick up a Benedict that won’t betray you.    Location: 1516 W 2nd Ave Contact: (509) 747-8798 Website: CLICK HERE     Bruncheonette If you see a crowd milling about on West Broadway near the courthouse on a sunny Sunday morning, they’re probably waiting for a table at this returning Best Of winner. With sweet and savory eats to suit any appetite, big or small — plus mimosa flights, bloody marys, local coffee and more — Brucheonette was built to please a group of any size. Bacon sticky buns? We’ll take two, please. Chicken and waffles? You don’t have to say it twice.   Address: 1011 W Broadway Ave Phone: (509) 443-5968 Website: CLICK HERE     Elliots, an Urban Kitchen Elliot's offers American cuisine utilizing ingredients with integrity, in a relaxed neighborhood environment, serving craft cocktails and some of the best service in town.   Location: 2209 N Monroe St Contact: (509) 866-0850 Facebook: CLICK HERE     Old European Looking for a place to take the whole family, from grandma and grandpa down to the grandkids? Head over to Old European! While your wait may be long on the weekends, parking is plentiful and there is truly something for everyone. Standouts include the goulashes, cinnamon buns – and if you like sweet breakfast foods, don’t miss out on Old European’s Scandinavian Cake Plate! Also, enjoy a free cinnamon roll on your birthday – it’s one Spokane birthday freebie we love! Prefer the lunch part of brunch? Old European has plenty for you, including burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. Finally, treat yourself to one of Old European’s mimosa flights! While you can order a full mimosa in several flavors, there’s nothing more fun than trying out their flight for something different.   Location: 7640 N Division St Contact: (509) 866-0850 Website: CLICK HERE     Boots Bakery and Lounge Downtown Spokane is one of my favorite places to hang out, and if I’m not down by Atticus or Indaba, chances are I’m at Boots! Boots is one of the only places in Spokane that is completely vegan and mostly gluten-free, making it an awesome option if you’re vegetarian like me! You can eat anything on the menu!   Location: 24 W Main Ave Contact: (509) 703-7223 Website: CLICK HERE     Rocket Bakery At each of its six locations across the greater Spokane area, Rocket Bakery offers a familiar yet unique comfortable, welcoming vibe. Whether you’re grabbing a morning coffee and pastry to go, meeting up with friends for an afternoon catch-up, or setting up your laptop to work or study, Rocket has all the bevs and locally made snacks, from cookies to sandwiches, you’ll need to stay filled up, focused and energized.   Location: 3315 N. Argonne Rd. Contact: (509) 927-2340 Facebook: CLICK HERE     Maple Street Bistro While one of the smallest brunch spots in Spokane on this list, Maple Street Bistro (or MSB) is tiny and mighty! With in-house made baked goods and a variety of options, Maple Street Bistro regularly wins kudos for it’s delicious breakfast sandwiches and baked goods. Breakfast and lunch lovers can both rejoice when enjoying brunch in Spokane at MSB! Get the Breakfast Club (you can’t go wrong on almost any bagel, or the focaccia bread!) if you want breakfast or try one of their many delicious lunch paninis – and ask for the pepper jelly if you’re feeling sweet! Before you leave, don’t forget to grab a delicious bagel roll (thank me later!) and a salted chocolate chip cookie!   Location: 5520 N Maple St, Spokane Contact: (509) 443-3129 Website: CLICK HERE     Little Garden Cafe Speaking of a place to get a coffee and take a stroll, if you want to walk around Audubon Park but also want a coffee, visit Little Garden Cafe! Or stay inside with the whole family – in addition to coffee and tea, the Little Garden Cafe also offers a wide arrange of food options, includes sandwiches and salads. There is plenty of seating and even a small play area for the kids, making it the perfect place to catch up with friends with kids. In addition to lots of indoor seating, you can have your coffee outside too, as Little Garden Cafe has outdoor seating.    Location: 2901 W Northwest Blvd  Contact: (509) 328-5500 Website: CLICK HERE     Peace Pie Pizzeria Peace Pie was founded on the idea that good food should be simple, accessible, and made with passion inspired by New York-style pies. From the blend of flour used in our dough to the San Marzano tomatoes we import from Italy, every step of the Peace Pie process has purpose and is tested to make a complete product we stand behind. In addition to our focus on quality ingredients, their location and the fellow businesses in the Saranac Commons host a warm and inviting atmosphere for the whole family. Come down to experience for yourself.   Location: 19 W Main Ave Suite 5  Contact: (509) 315-4581  Website: CLICK HERE     Taco Vado Located in a former coffee stand on Ash Street just north of downtown, Taco Vado serves Southwestern-inspired breakfast, lunch staples and coffee drinks from its two drive-through windows.   Location: 1602 N Ash St  Contact: (509) 290-6221  Website: CLICK HERE     Satellite Diner & Lounge Within walking distance of downtown hotels, the Satellite Diner & Lounge is the only place downtown where you can get breakfast, lunch, dinner, Happy Hour, Last Call & Beyond!   Location: 425 W Sprague Ave  Contact: (509) 624-3952  Website: CLICK HERE

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Buying or Selling in the Next 12 Months: What You Need to Know Today

There are many different reasons you might be thinking about selling your home. Perhaps you want to downsize (or upsize), perhaps you want to take advantage of the market, or maybe you need to move to another area of the country for your company. Regardless of the reasons, there are many things to consider before you speak with a real estate agent. You probably already have a good grasp of how the home-buying process goes since you've done it at least once before. But if this is your first time selling a home, there’s plenty more to learn. Even if you have sold a home in the past, the market is always changing.  If you're thinking about buying a home within the next year, or buying a home after you sell your current one there are a few things that you can get started on to make the process that much smoother when you are ready to go house hunting.   Deciding To Sell Your Home: What You Should Do First Once you do decide you want to sell your home, there are several things you can do before you contact a real estate agent. The first is to prepare your home to be sold, and that usually means a lot of cleaning and sometimes some maintenance and repairs. Even in a seller’s market, you’ll want to make your home look as inviting and attractive as possible in order to receive a great offer. Homebuyers who will be looking at your home are more likely to make an offer right away if your home appears desirable, as they’ll be hoping to secure a home before another prospective buyer comes along.     Declutter Your Living Space When you were a first-time homebuyer, you probably saw several houses that still contained furniture and the occupants’ belongings. This is normal when the homeowners haven’t moved out yet. But you might also recall that some homes appeared a lot tidier and well-maintained than others. Think about that when preparing your own home for future sale. You’ll want to spend a good amount of time getting rid of any clutter and junk you don’t need. Even old, worn furniture and décor items should be removed. (You can put them in a storage unit or your garage if you have space.) The idea is to present a neat living space to prospective buyers.     Make Necessary Repairs Truthfully, this is up to you. In a seller’s market, you can likely get away with not making some repairs, since buyers are more desperate to secure a home. However, some first-time homebuyers might want the security of a home they know is in good shape. There’s also a difference between necessary repairs and home improvements. For example, it might be necessary to replace the hot water heater but not to renovate the kitchen or the bathroom. If you’re unsure which things you should spend your money on, focus on the most obvious maintenance issues that a home inspector will definitely point out.     Check Out the Market Have any homes similar to yours in the area sold recently? That might give you a good idea of what you could get for your home. The online sites providing estimates can serve as a good baseline, but they don’t always know the specifics of your local area or any specific improvements you’ve made in your home. Take this into consideration before you talk to a real estate agent. The agent will, of course, be more familiar with the current conditions of the market and how things are selling in your area. And once the agent sees your home, they will be able to give you a better idea of what it might sell for. Just remember to price it realistically. Even in a seller’s market, pricing your home too high could mean you’ll be waiting a while to sell.     Finally, Contact an Agent Once you’ve done all of the above, you are ready to contact an agent. Unless you already know an agent who you’d like to work with, you’ll want to interview a few different agents. You’ll be working with the agent of choice for a bit, so you want to ensure you feel comfortable with whomever you choose. Ask each agent for a comparative market analysis, as well as the details of their plan on how they will market your home. You also want to ensure that the agent will have time for you and your home.   Deciding To Buy a Home: What You Should Do First Once you do decide you're ready to buy a home, there are several things you can do before you contact a real estate agent. The first is to prepare your list of non-negotiables and really decide what you need from a home. The real estate market moves quickly, so understanding the current market, interest rates, and more will be important closer to the time when you're getting ready to purchase.     Make Your List of Must-Haves Do you need two or three bedrooms? Are you open-minded to a townhome or do you prefer a single-family residence? We'd recommend that you sit down and think deeply about what you need from a home and make your list of things you can't live without. This will make the house hunting process much easier, and you'll be able to share this information with your real estate agent when the time is right!     Cushion Your Savings Buying a home can bring several unexpected expenses your way, so the more that you can plan in advance the better. Of course, you'll need to pay the down payment on the home, but there are also closing costs and taxes. Once you move in, you'll likely need some furniture, and what if the HVAC system needs repair? Some experts recommend having six months of expenses set aside in your savings account, while others recommend having up to a year’s worth.     Get Pre-Approved Securing a pre-approval from the bank is going to let your real estate agent and the sellers that currently own the home that you're serious and ready to purchase. This will also give you a sense of your purchasing power and help you understand the budget that you'll need to stay within.     Finally, Contact an Agent Once you’ve done all of the above, you are ready to contact an agent! Unless you already know an agent who you’d like to work with, you’ll want to interview a few different agents. You’ll be working with the agent of choice for a bit, so you want to ensure you feel comfortable with whomever you choose. Make sure to ask each agent about their local expertise, their track record in negotiating on behalf of buyers, and to take a look at their reviews.   We're Here to Help Whether you're thinking about buying or selling in the next few months or the next few years, we're happy to help answer your questions! Click Here

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