Top Remodeling Projects - The Doors Have It!

A terrific new report has just been released by Remodeling Magazine and looks at cost vs. value of home remodeling projects. Among the strongest leaders are with the doors, primarily the exterior front door and the garage. Curb appeal is achieved quickly when you dress the entrances. Check out the article the full article in Realty Times - Top Remodeling Projects along with a link to Remodling Magazine's complete report.

Interesting stuff! So when your sweetie approaches you about that glass and iron-clad pivot hinged door you saw at the Phoenix area home show, be careful. It just may be worth the investment!

Photo from Flickr courtesy of carywaynepeterson

Survey Reveals Buyers Want Move-In Ready

Results just being released from a recent survey suggest buyers are looking for “move-in ready” and shying away from “as-is.”  These findings are important for sellers contemplating what to modify and/or update, but also for investors looking for a fix and flip. 

A great article published in Realty Times sums up the findings nicely.  We’ve heard it for years – get back to the basics and set your self apart.  Simple improvements, both inside and out, can add both perceived and real value to the home.  When buyers see areas around a home needing attention, they begin to wonder what else may be lurking that they can’t see.  Minimizing the hassle factor for the buyer is always a good thing!

The findings indicate first-time home buyers are strapped for cash and don’t have a lot of excess money after the home purchase to make improvements to the property.  The home will sell quicker and for a higher price if it’s move-in ready. 

For investors, the market is ripe to go in a find a property in need of repairs, then doing it up right and putting it back on the market.  There are deals to be had out there – and I’m come across them weekly – where homes in need of repair and undervalued and prime for the “fix and flip” investor.

Photo from Flickr courtesy of Mondibongo.

Windows: Single vs. Double Pane

About a year and a half ago I won the bid on a bank owned fixer I now call home. During the walk-through of the inspection, my inspector suggested I may want to consider replacing the old single pane windows with the more efficient dual pane variety.

My windows and doors were original – the home was built in 1984 and it was obvious they were not ideal. There was clear evidence of where water had been entering from around the window frames, they didn’t seal shut properly and dirt was caked on the sills; some didn’t open and while others could have served as a guillotine – they’d slam shut on their own as they wouldn’t stay up without placing a stick underneath.

I was nervous about the cost of replacement windows. I did my research on-line and talked to a number of energy experts and remodel gurus. Clearly, I was going to half to bite the bullet at some point. I could either do it now and enjoy the benefits myself or wait a while, but certainly they needed to be done before it came time to put the home back on the market.

As a real estate agent, I knew when my buyers were looking at Phoenix area homes, they always looked at windows and mentally evaluated whether or not they would need to be replaced. Often times, the condition of the windows would be a deal breaker – they would take a home off the list because of single pane windows.

On my home, the original windows were the black framed aluminum kind, with the dated - ‘80’s-style grids. I knew replacing them would go a long way in dressing up the way the house looked, not only from the street, but from inside as well.

I did my research and shopped around. A client of mine suggested I talk with Daytona Windows, locally owned company with whom he had done business. I phoned Daytona and Andy came over the very next day at the appointed time. He thoroughly explained my options to me, what was involved and the entire process. He won the bid and was awarded my business. Not only was he punctual and efficient, but his work was clean and tidy, and his product amazing. I couldn’t be more pleased.

Daytona Windows recommended Milgard Windows and Doors®, a product with a great reputation. I went with Low-E, Energy Star® rating, and then I opted for the 3D upgrade providing a minimum of a 10% increase in energy efficiency performance. I qualified for a Milgard Energy Package Rebate to the tune of $20 for each window and $80 for each slider, plus I received a full lifetime warranty – including coverage for glass breakage. On top of all that, I qualified for a tax credit of over $2,000 from Uncle Sam.

Today, I enjoy windows that open and close as they are supposed to, keep dirt out and seal properly. Cool air stays in; hot air stays out.  As far as energy efficiency goes, I have seen a difference in my electric bill. I didn’t spend too much time crunching the numbers, but here’s a real quick sampling of a couple of recent months electrical usage:

                                             2010                          2009                    Savings*

May                                       5.92                            2.92                       51%

Jun                                         6.56                           4.04                        38%

*Data based on my APS billing statements. Amounts listed are average daily usage.

There are a number of statistics out there discussing ROI on replacement windows. Milgard cites a 99% return on your investment according to a 2005 research study conducted by Remodeling Magazine. Other more conservative statistics suggest it can be around 80%. In any case, pretty impressive to me.

So, if you’re thinking about windows, shop around, but make sure you talk to Andy and Laurie at Daytona Windows.  And, should you decide to have your windows replaced, you will reduce your energy consumption and greatly enhance the curb appeal. And, when it comes time to sell, the home with the double pane windows will out shine the home with single panes every time.

Daytona Window can be reached by calling 602-788-0600 or via e-mail at daytonawindows@cox.net. Tell them I suggested you call.

©2010 Tom Weiskopf, PLLC. Tom Weiskopf, PLLC is an AZ licensed real estate agent with John Hall & Associates serving the Phoenix area. For more information, Tom can be reached at (602) 953-4000 or via e-mail at phxareahomes@gmail.com.