Whether you’re building a new house or remodelling your current property, you want to make sure it appeals to potential buyers. 

But all the trends can be confusing, and sometimes it seems like they change overnight. Here are some of the top features that experts recommend working into your property to get buyers really excited. 

Energy Efficient Upgrades
Buyers are becoming more and more climate aware. Add that to ever-increasing utility prices, and you’ll find that buyers go crazy for energy efficient upgrades in homes. Focus on the bones: good windows and insulation, and then add in new energy-efficient appliances and LED lights. Solar panels will get major bonus points for buyers into sustainability and resilience.

Flexible Home Office Spaces
Working from home or hybrid office situations have turned permanent for many people. That’s why more buyers are looking for homes with home office spaces. For the best investment, keep the space flexible so it can be used for something other than an office too. For example, it could turn into a bedroom or den.

Home Gym Areas
Just like the office, people are liking their at-home workouts. You can cater to this need by creating a space for that Peloton or weights machine that isn’t in a bedroom or living area.

Functional Backyard
It used to be that you’d lay down some sod in the backyard and buyers would be happy, but that’s not always the case now. Buyers today are looking for backyards that they can really live in. That means a nice patio or deck, landscaping, and a fence to keep things safe for kids and pets. Veggie gardens, pools, and outdoor kitchens will also increase the property’s value in the eyes of buyers.

Even with just a few of these features, your property is sure to stand out to buyers. And the biggest bonus is that each of these will stand the test of time.

After you buy your home, it’s easy to get excited about renovating rooms and putting your unique spin on the design of your home. You can imagine the results of renovating your home with a gorgeous new kitchen, the perfect family room, and the beautiful bathroom just waiting for a bubble bath. But then comes the question: where to start?

There’s an easy trick you can use to decide which room to renovate first. Simply choose the renovation that will get you the most return on investment (aka the most bang for your buck).

Renovations are often expensive, and although they add value to your home, you won’t necessarily make all of that money back when you sell the home.

For example, if you spend $20,000 on a backyard reno, you may only make back $15,000 of that when you sell. As a result, your return on investment or ROI is $15,000 or 75%.

Typically, kitchen renovations will score the most ROI because a beautiful kitchen will sell a home. Bathrooms come in second. By focusing on the ROI of your renovations, you’ll make smart money choices that will help your house sell for more. You’ll instantly boost the value of your home when you do the biggest ROI renos first.

But if your home already has a decent kitchen and/or bathrooms, you can look at the commonly used areas: living room, family room, and bedrooms. And if you live in a place where the backyard doubles as another room, consider the backyard as well.

But hey, if there’s a room you just can’t wait to get started on, go with that one first!

Your real estate agent should be able to help you get an idea of which room renovation will up the value of your home the most. As always, I’m happy to give you my opinion on which reno will be best for you—whether you just moved in or you’re getting ready to sell.

Just contact me whenever you’re ready to choose which room to renovate first.

We talk a lot about the financial benefits of homeownership because there are just so many of them. But owning a home has way more benefits than just financial.

1. You can have pets! Gone are the days of paying ridiculous pet rent or sneaking your dog out the door when the landlord comes to visit. When you own your house, you make the rules. And if you want to have the most pet-friendly property around, you can!
2. You have the freedom to express your own style. There’s nothing worse than coming up with the perfect design for a room, only to remember that you’re renting and your landlord won’t let you do anything with the bare white walls, lest your deposit disappear. Owning your own house means you can paint, wallpaper, replace fixtures, and renovate as much as you want. Only your own ideas are the limit.
3. You’ll have more privacy and security. Not that it isn’t great getting woken up by your upstairs neighbor at 4 am because they just have to move the furniture, but… it could be better, right? There’s something about knowing you’re safe and secure in your home and have privacy that makes it so much easier to sleep at night.
4. You’ll feel settled in the community. When you buy a home, you become a part of the neighborhood fabric. You’ll get to know your neighbors, attend neighborhood events, and start to build those relationships that can really make life enjoyable. And, it’s always nice to know you can pop over to someone’s house for a cup of sugar.

I could go on and on about the benefits of becoming a homeowner, but you get the picture. Basically, owning a home has the potential to improve so many facets of your life—from your finances to your home life to your creativity to your relationships.

If you’re ready to start feeling the benefits of owning a home, just contact me anytime

When it comes to building your wealth, there are few investments as good as real estate. When you buy a house, you boost your net worth considerably. In fact, in 2016, the average homeowner had a median net worth of $231,400. Renters on the other hand had a net worth of only $5,200, according to the Federal Reserve.

That’s a HUGE difference in net worth—we’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. And I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have a bigger net worth.

But can renters build just as much net worth as homeowners? The short answer is yes, in some cases. The long answer is a bit more complicated.

First, to build wealth as a renter, you have to find a place to rent that’s WAY cheaper than owning a house would be. If you can’t find super cheap rent, you won’t be able to build as much wealth as a homeowner.

You then have to put all the money you would have spent on a home into the stock market, which is often volatile and requires long periods of time to get consistent returns.

So, if you want to be a lifetime renter, then go ahead. But make sure you’re investing the money you would have spent on a home in smart stocks.

No spending extra on vacations or Starbs. You have to be ruthless with your spending to make up for not owning real estate.

But of course, even if you do go this route, you’re still paying housing costs that go straight to your landlord—which is money that could be going into building wealth.

And wouldn’t it make more sense to put that money somewhere you can actually use it? Like, say. A house? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: real estate is truly one of the best investments out there. You’re going to have to pay for housing regardless, right? Might as well turn it into a wealth-building machine.

If you’re ready to build your wealth with real estate, just contact me and I’ll get you started!

When you’re buying or selling a home, hearing the words “appraisal gap” can make you shudder. An appraisal gap can make the difference between a successful sale or the deal falling through completely. But how does an appraisal gap happen and what can you do to avoid it as a buyer or seller?

When you put your home on the market, you list it at a certain price. Let’s say you put it on the market for $350,000. Then, when a buyer wants to purchase the home, they’ll make an offer—let’s say they offer $360,000. If they’re financing, their lender will order an appraisal of the home during the closing period.

An appraiser will come look at the home and determine its fair market value. An appraisal gap occurs when the home’s appraised value is lower than the buyer’s offer.

In this example, let’s say that the home’s appraised value is $340,000, $10,000 less than the buyer’s offer. Lenders don’t really like this. Why? Well, if you were to default on your mortgage and be unable to pay the bank back, they wouldn’t be able to recoup their investment. Because of this, banks typically won’t give you more money than what the home is worth. Often, this gap causes the offer to fall through.

But there are some things you can do in this situation as a buyer. First, you can write an appraisal gap guarantee clause into the purchase contract that says you’ll pay a predetermined amount above the appraised value. You also have the option to pay the gap in cash. In our case, you’d have to pony up $10,000 to give to the seller. You could also renegotiate with the seller on price and try to get the purchase price closer to the appraised value. And as a last resort, you can walk away if you have an appraisal contingency in the contract.

You’ll obviously want to avoid this as a seller, too. It’s good to keep in mind that only buyers with financing will have this issue with the bank, which means that cash transactions can go more smoothly.

Appraisal gaps can be bad news, but if you’re educated and prepare for them, they aren’t anything to be afraid of.

It’s officially fall! I just love the crisp days, falling leaves, and all the fun activities that fall brings. And it’s also a great time to get your house prepped for the winter. A little bit of fall home maintenance can make your holidays way less stressful. Here’s what I recommend.

1. Check for air leaks before the cold sets in. A really good way to have a sky-high heating bill is to have a leaky home. Check your weatherstripping and the caulk around your windows and doors. Repair any leaks.

2. Wrap your outdoor faucets and any exposed pipes to avoid freezing. A few cheap wraps can save you from an expensive repair in freezing weather. 

3. Check the furnace. Before the cold really sets in, make sure your furnace is up to task. Pull out its filter and clean or replace it for maximum efficiency.

4. Get the fireplace ready. There’s nothing better than a cold night spent around the fire, maybe with a hot cider. Check your chimney and sweep out the flue, and stock up on fire wood for the cozy nights ahead. 

5. Check your roof. Can it withstand another year of winter rain and snow? If not, get it replaced. Bonus: if you plan to sell in the near future, a new roof is a huge selling point. 

6. Clean out your gutters. Avoid a messy surprise and get your gutters clear of any debris before the winter weather hits. I recommend doing this one after the trees drop their leaves. 

7. Check your safety equipment. Make sure your fire extinguisher is in working order. Check the batteries in your Co2 and smoke alarms so you’re not rudely awakened on a holiday night. 

8. Clean the carpet. The milder, dryer days of autumn make it an optimal time to clean.

When you’re making the biggest purchase of your life, buyer’s remorse is the last thing you want. But it’s something so many home buyers face. Here’s how you can avoid it. 

1. Get clear on your non-negotiables. Everyone has those things that they have to have in a house. Maybe for you it’s two bathrooms or a backyard big enough for your dogs. When you’re making your needs vs wants list, really decide what you have to have. What would you be SO disappointed about if you didn’t have it? What would really impact your lifestyle? Write it down and bring it to your agent. 

2. Make a list of deal breakers. While we focus a lot on what you want in a house, it’s equally important to understand what you don’t want. Would you hate living next to a busy street or in a house with a traditional layout? Make a list of your deal breakers and watch out for them on your walkthroughs.

3. Understand what you can afford. Some buyers end up loving their home but majorly regretting their giant mortgage. While you may be pre-approved for a certain loan amount, you don’t have to use that as your budget ceiling. Making your budget smaller than the pre-approval amount is totally acceptable.

4. Pay attention to the neighborhood. The area you live in can have such an impact on your life, especially if you end up not loving it. While you’re scouting out properties, talk to the neighbors and get a feel for the vibe of the area.

5. Work with a great real estate agent. Your agent will be able to steer you away from poor investments and will work tirelessly to find you the best property possible. Plus, they’ll have connections to good inspectors who can make sure that you get a good home. 

As you can see, the cure to buyer’s remorse starts way before you ever buy the house. With some careful planning and a great agent by your side, you’re sure to make a great decision.

Kitchens sell homes, it’s true. But bathrooms can really impact a buyer’s perception of the home. It’s always so funny to me when I show a house and the kitchen is beautifully updated, only to have the bathrooms show the age of the home. 

Instead of letting your bathrooms date your home, age-proof them with some easy updates. 

Spruce up the shower. Install a handheld showerhead to get the most mileage out of the shower. Not only will it make cleaning a breeze, but it’s also so helpful if you have kids or pets. And if you’re doing a shower remodel, think about adding a shower bench, too, which is a big pro for buyers.

Reconsider glass around the shower. Glass adds a clean look, but only when it’s clean. Glass is also prone to getting “glass cancer”, which looks like permanent soap scum, when harsh chemicals are used on it. If you live in an area with hard water, consider getting frosted glass or using another surface around the shower. 

Think about lighting. Lighting is so important in bathrooms, especially in the bathrooms where people will get ready for the day. You want a well-lit space, so add some can lights in addition to the vanity light. And natural light is always a selling point, so emphasize any windows or skylights. 

Use a long-lasting tile. There’s a ton of options when it comes to tile, but porcelain tile is made to last a lifetime. Porcelain tile also adds a timeless feel. If you want to spice things up a bit, you can use an accent tile in a different material. 

Create a slip-proof floor. Wet floors are a bathroom standard, so use textured flooring to reduce slipping. Instead of using a smooth tile, which can get super slick, use a textured tile like stone or a bathroom specific tile. 

There’s a lot that can go wrong during a renovation. But a lot of renovation mistakes can be easily avoided. Watch out for these four things the next time you do a renovation on your home. 

1. Ignoring the style of your home. When it comes to a home’s aesthetics, you have quite a bit of room to play. But putting a super modern kitchen in a little brick cottage or adding a farmhouse chic look to a slick modern townhouse will give any visitors (or buyers down the line) design whiplash. Go wild with design, but make sure it matches the key elements of your home. 

2. Putting aesthetics above functionality. Listen, I love a beautifully designed home as much as anyone, but sometimes a cool design is just not worth the sacrifice in functionality. When you’re planning your design, make sure that it both looks good and is usable.  

3. Making the kitchen too trendy. We are having a moment with blue and green cabinetry right now, and I love it! But at the same time, I know this trend isn’t going to last more than a couple of years. And that means there will be a lot of cabinet repainting to be done. When you’re renovating a kitchen, or any area, keep the bones timeless and add in trendy details that are easy to change. 

4. Going with the cheapest option all the time. There are certain things that are worth spending money on, and a good contractor is one of those. Unfortunately, good contractors are usually not the cheapest. (Pro tip: I have some awesome contractors that I know do great work. Let me know if you want a connection!) Along with investing in a good contractor, you’ll want to avoid buying the cheapest materials for the job, especially if you’re renovating an area that will get a lot of use like a kitchen or bathroom.

A successful renovation should strike a balance between cheap and good quality, trendy and timeless, usable and pretty. And if you avoid these renovation mistakes, you’re sure to have a great experience that brings value to your home.

Can you believe we’re just 2 months away from the holiday season? Just a few more weeks before we whip up delectable holiday treats—yum! But before we get into the full swing of holiday cooking and baking, it’s probably time to do a little pantry organization. Follow these steps to get your pantry holiday-ready. 

1. Clean it out

Start your organization project by removing everything from your pantry. This is a great time to get your little helpers involved—they can tackle the lower shelves while you clean out the top. Once you get all of the items out, wipe down all the shelves and sweep the floor. Right now, you want to focus on creating a blank canvas for your pantry, so say goodbye to dust and grime. 

2. Sort through it all

Next, sort through all of your pantry items. Toss out anything out of date, and donate the items that are just taking up space. Remember: there’s no point in keeping things you aren’t going to use. This goes for food items, appliances, and kitchen tools!

3. Repackage

If mismatched packages make it hard for you to organize, put your ingredients in cute containers or mason jars. Just make sure to label the jars so you don’t mistake your powdered sugar for baking powder. 

4. Organize

Once you’re ready to put items back in your pantry, group them together—baking ingredients with other baking ingredients, soups with soups, etc. If you have deep shelves, put seldom used items (like giant mixing bowls or drink dispensers) at the back and ingredients in front. Label each shelf so you remember where the items are located. 

And if you find yourself prone to expired canned goods at the back of your shelves, think about getting a few can organizers to keep everything visible and in rotation. 

In just a few simple steps and with just a little time, you can get your pantry ready for the coming months and make it way easier to use. 

Garages get cluttered fast, especially after an eventful summer season. Now is the perfect time to organize your garage before the colder months to make it a super usable space. 

1. Declutter. 

To truly organize a space, you have to get rid of the clutter. Pull everything out and get honest with yourself about what you really need to keep. Sell, donate or toss any items you don’t regularly use. Pay special attention to your outdoor and summer equipment, and fix anything that needs to be repaired. Pro tip: If you find yourself with a lot of items to get rid of, this is a great time for a yard sale!

2. Categorize. 

Once you’ve pared back and have the things you want to keep, categorize them. 

Put your cleaning supplies with cleaning supplies, tools with tools, recreation equipment with your outdoor stuff. Categorizing will help limit the clutter because you’ll know exactly where everything is.

3. Contain.

After categorizing your items, put the smaller items in stackable storage containers and LABEL them. I love the black storage boxes from Costco because they’re so sturdy, but clean bins are also great because you can see exactly what’s in them. 

4. Put away. 

Your garage might not have a lot of built in storage, so take advantage of the vertical space. Wall pegboards are cheap and easy to use, making them perfect for tools and outdoor gear. Open shelves made from steel are great to store bins and heavy equipment. And if you want to keep hazardous tools or chemicals away from kids and pets, look into child-safe closed cabinetry. If you have the budget, overhead ceiling racks are an amazing way to reclaim the floor. They’re like shelving for your garage ceiling and are perfect for storing seasonal items like decorations or camping gear.