Selling Tips   Curb Appeal Checklist Which Home Improvements Give the Best Payback   NET Cash to You Calculator   MA Home Inspectors

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Curb Appeal Checklist

• Inspect the outside grounds.
• Remove any building materials, scrap wood, discarded household items, etc. from the property.
  Store garbage cans in the garage.
• Check the home from the roof line down.
• Is the roof free and clear from obstructions and moss?
• Are the gutters clear and neatly hung?
• Are the windows clean and free from obstructions (such as overgrown bushes or trees)?
• Are bushes, trees and shrubs neatly pruned?
• Inspect the condition of the paint or siding.
• Is it time to power wash the siding?
• Is touch up paint needed?
• Is the front door in good shape?
• Do flower beds need an upgrade?
• Are plants neatly pruned?
• Is the bed free and clear of weeds?
• Is the bed properly mulched?
• Are flowers in bloom?
• Keep the lawn neatly groomed.
• Is the lawn free from weeds?
• Is the lawn free from grass clippings?
• Is the lawn neatly edged?
  
  

If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, or finishing your basement, you probably want to get your investment back when you sell your home. But when it comes to payback value of home improvements, some are definitely more profitable than others. As a general rule, kitchen and bathroom projects usually get a nice return on investment, typically 90% or more.Things like adding rooms or finishing basements tend to pay back the least. Finishing a basement usually returns less than 50%, so it’s not a project likely to show profit at selling time.

There are a number of factors that go into determining how well a project will pay back. Payback value depends a lot on the current market conditions in your area. If the market is hot and homes are selling fast, you can expect a higher payback value than you would get in a slow market.

The type of home improvement project you do and how it fits in with other homes in the area can have a big influence on payback too. If you put your money into the wrong type of improvement, you won’t get your money back. But if you're smart about what you do, you can make money. The payback will be better on improvements that are in demand and conform to neighborhood standards. Adding a second bathroom in a neighborhood where most homes have two bathrooms will give a high return on investment. Building a large addition that makes your home twice as big as the other homes on the block probably won’t pay back very well. Likewise, the popularity of a project will factor into how much it pays back. An improvement heavily customized to your wants and needs won’t pay back as well as something more common to other homes in the neighborhood.

Another factor to consider is the cost of the improvements. If you can do the work yourself, you can save significantly on the cost of the project and greatly improve the chances of getting a good return on the investment.

The list below is compiled from several published surveys and shows typical payback for some popular remodeling projects:

• Kitchen remodeling – 90%
• Additon of a bathroom – 90%
• Bathroom remodeling – 80%
• Installing central heating – 90%
• Installing central air – 75%
• Adding a deck – 70%
• Replacing windows – 70%
• Adding a room – 55%
• Installng a pool – 45%

Your Home Selling Price (no commas, periods or $ signs) Enter Known Selling Costs:   Amount to pay off present mortgage loan: Real estate commissions: Full (7%) Discounted (6%) Discounted (5.5%) Half (3.5%) Buyer's agent (3%) Buyer's agent (2.5%) None (0%) Prepayment penalty on mortgage (if any): Other know costs (unpaid taxes, etc.)   Total Known Costs:      Estimated Closing Costs: Normal (2.5% of Price) High (3% of Price) Low (2% of Price) Estimated Closing Costs: Estimated Other Potential Costs:   Buyer's Home Warranty: Average ($300) None ($0) Termite & other inspections: Low ($100) Avg ($300) High ($500) None ($0) Repairs & Improvements:   Total Other Potential Costs:

Definitions & Clarifications of Net Cash to You Calculator • Amount to pay off present mortgage: Call your lender for the outstanding balance. • Your lender will tell you if there is a pre-payment penalty for paying off your mortgage early. • Unpaid Property Taxes depends on the time of year, and the date of the last tax payment. The full year's property tax is prorated so that the buyer pays taxes for the months he has title to the property. The seller must pay taxes for the months prior to transfer of the title. • Buyer's mortgage fee: This is typically 1% to 1.5% of the new mortgage amount, but can be higher. Many seller's limit this amount by writing the maximum they will pay into the sales contract (under special clauses).