For many homebuyers the kitchen is the focal point of the household. It's where friends and family gather after a long day, loving memories are shared, and yummy meals are prepared. Making small, easy updates to your kitchen can do wonders for attracting the right buyer when selling your home. It's important to make the right changes when listing your home. Your Choice Properties real estate agent will guide you through the process while making suggestions and tips along the way. Consider these 5 budget friendly ways to update your kitchen before selling your home. 

Install Fresh Backsplash

Current backsplash, if any in the existing kitchen, may be outdated or caked with dirt from the previous years. Consider adding or replacing with brand new backsplash for a clean, polished look. Adding new backsplash easily adds a tasteful design that can dramatically improve the aesthetic of the space, at a reasonable cost. Adding brand new backsplash will increase of grabbing the eye of an interested buyer, having them overlook smaller flaws in the kitchen. 

Update Your Cabinets

A fresh color of paint can go a long way when it comes to your kitchen cabinets. Consider opting for a neutral color that most people would find attractive, opposed to a bold paint color. After your cabinets have dried and been re-hung, swap out old hardware for sleek, modern pieces that compliment the painted cabinets. Adding new knobs and pulls to a kitchen is a budget friendly way to make your cabinets look brand new. 

Add New Lighting

Light bulbs and fixtures are easy to overlook. Broken or burnt out bulbs can make any kitchen feel dark and unappealing. Consider swapping out old, dim bulbs for cool white bulbs for a brighter, open feel in the space. Make sure to double check the lighting before listing your home. 

Replace Countertops

Countertops are the main element of a kitchen. With the wide variety of materials and options, you can then choose a kitchen countertop that is budget friendly while tying in the space. While making small upgrades to other elements in your kitchen, this is one to keep in mind the most. 

Install New Flooring

Unfortunately, a bad floor holds the ability to mark down the selling price of your home. If you find yourself needing to replace your floor, don't fret! There are a number of budget friendly flooring options. This may be:

• Linoleum 
• Tile
• Vinyl
• Carpet 

Choice Properties offers you a chance to find the home of your dreams. We work with your budget and ideas in mind to support your ultimate vision. Call us if you are ready to check out the available inventory or to speak with a reputable agent who can assist you with your home buying needs.

Renovations That Will Increase Your Home's Value

If you have considered renovating your home with the intention to sell in the near future, or just for your family, there are a few things you may want to consider. If you are looking for a renovation that will increase your home's value, there are two ways to go about the process. Getting one or two major renovations completed, such as finishing a basement or adding an extra living space to the existing home is one tactic. Opting to tackle a handful of small projects and fixes is the second option. Whichever you decide to do, here are some remodeling projects than can add more value to your home.

Kitchen Upgrades

These days, potential buyers typically seek a spacious, updated kitchen. Simple upgrades like replacing old appliances and adding new countertops or cabinets can easily add up in cost. Consider these bigger renovations that are worth the investment:

• Adding an island
• Adding a breakfast nook
• Adding new ceramic flooring
• Adding accent lighting

Removing Walls

Open floor plans are the first to catch the eye of many. Knocking down unnecessary walls is a great way to open up any space with little hassle. Be sure to use a professional contractor for a safe and completed job!

Room Additions

Contrary to popular belief, adding a new room to your existing home is not as expensive as one may assume and is a great way to increase your home's value. Think about converting your attic to a study area or adding another room addition to your house. This will increase your square footage while pushing up your asking price.   

Outdoor Living Space

People crave an outdoor space for relaxation during the warmer months. This could mean building a back deck or slate patio. Make your outdoor space a mini oasis by adding path lights, plants, shrubs, and trees.

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

What You Can Do if you Get Bad Home Inspection Results

Home inspections come with a nervous feeling of "what if," with the results potentially scaring away an interested buyer. Although home inspections are required, they should not be a step in the process you stress over. Remind yourself to stay relaxed and calm during the inspection, knowing you are equipped to tackle any results. At Choice Properties, we know the anxious feeling associated with the process, so we created a list of what you can do if you get bad home inspection results.

Be Prepared

Although you should not always expect the worse, being prepared for shocking news allows you to mentally process in a healthy way. Going into the inspection knowing you have physically and mentally prepared will let you welcome the results in a breeze. It can be hard to stay patient during this process as you are one step closer to selling to a potential buyer, but repairing any damages or concerns without rushing will ensure a promising reward.

Repair As Needed

When receiving a bad report, your mind is probably running circles wondering where to start. Take each project with a grain of salt, and remember to discuss with your trusted realtor and interested home buyer to develop a plan of action. If you agree to help the buyer with repairs, it is common to have them waive liability for later problems in exchange.

Even if you are surprised by the inspection findings, it's best to keep quiet until the buyer has presented you with a request of repairs or price reduction. The potential home buyers may not interpret the report as negativity as you do, saving you the stress and effort. If the buyer is interested in resolving the issues, schedule a chat with your realtor to review and discuss standard negotiating.

Selling your home the easiest way possible comes with learning to accept what you cannot control. Don't get ahead of any repairs before speaking to your realtor and determining a logical solution.

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

Why You Should Live in a House Before Renovating

Many buyers are looking for move-in ready homes. Significant opportunities are available in prime locations with home that linger on the market yet need some work. Some individuals will flock to the homes to customize to personal requirements and built equity along the way. Learn why it is important to live in a space before starting renovations on a property.

Minds Can Change

Living in a home can start with grand visions of seeing changes to be made but, based on the condition and priorities, things can shift over time. When a person actually lives in a space, it is easier to see exactly how to use the house, what will work and what will not. The day-to-day experience will inform home improvement decisions of how to use the home every day.

Take a Break

Purchasing a home is a massive project in itself. Along with an enormous change, it is a shock to the system. Finances change and buyers jump through so many hoops, spending months looking for a home. It becomes almost a part-time job. A home renovation, likewise, can become a big, stressful project with decisions to make and contractors to deal with. Take a break, enjoy the new home, then start looking into renovations.

Time to Plan

Renovations need to be carefully thought out, planned and designed. Multiple architects, contractors or designers must be involved in the process which is time-consuming. Hiring the right people to take on renovations can save time, money and headaches down the road. Some buyers want to start right away to get the home into perfect shape but do not want to pay rent and mortgage at the same time. Buyers need to plan ahead for even the best laid plans can go awry.

Buyers who said on day one that a home which requires work was not on the list, that is often what people end up doing to some extent. It is the natural evolution of buying a home in that people don't always want a brand new, pristine building and will go for character first. Rarely someone buys the home which was at the top of one's list or one which the people started off thinking about. While people should remain open to doing some work on a home, it is not worth it to get stressed about doing it all at once. Living in a home as-is for six months gives the home a test drive to see how things run and how the family utilizes space. It may be surprising what can work one perspective shifts, priorities change and everyone gets a chance to see what is happening on a day-to-day basis. A family may just settle in and decide on less renovations once the home feels lived in.