North Texas Real Estate Blog

Summer’s right around the corner and many Southlake TX home owners are preparing their homes for sale. Home to some of the best public schools in the area, Southlake is home to many families with high school aged children that are preparing to leave home for college. The need for large homes and yards may not be necessary for these future empty nesters, which has prompted an increase in homes for sale in the Southlake area.
Whether you are moving due to a job change or relocation, or if you are looking to downsize to a home more suited to a smaller family, there are changes you can make to your home that will make it stand out among the rest and also add value. Making the right choice on what updates or projects to do can affect the potential sale of your property. With most remodeling projects, the cost of the project is usually not completely recovered on the sale of your home, but some projects in particular add more value to the home than others. Being aware of what you do to your house and what potential effect it has on the future sale of your home should be factored into your remodeling decisions.
If you plan to live in your home for a long period of time, making smart choices now will pay off in the long run. Make sure to take in consideration a future potential buyer of your home when making costly improvements or investments into your home. What may be of value to you may not be typical to your neighborhood and may not add value to your home.
Remodeling dated kitchens and baths are a good place to start. The kitchen in most homes is a gathering place for the family and friends. Having a kitchen that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional is appealing to potential buyers. High end and energy efficient appliances are a must. Solid surface countertops like granite, marble, Corian or Silestone are typical in many Southlake homes. Custom cabinets made of cherry or maple with black or stainless steel appliances are also popular with many buyers. As for bathroom updates, steam showers and jetted tubs are popular. The bathroom is more like a spa, a haven for relaxation after a hard day at the office. Updated bathrooms and kitchens can add a considerable amount of value to your home.
If you are limited on a budget, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home. Try to stick to neutral colors, but not necessarily all white and beige tones. Some color is okay and can be pleasing to buyers. Wood or laminate flooring is popular in living areas and adds a clean, natural touch to a home. It is also a good alternative to carpet, especially for allergy sufferers.
You hear the importance of “curb appeal”, which applies not only to the structural design and exterior of your home, but the lawn and landscaping. A well manicured lawn with a variety of shrubs, flowers and other landscaping features can help to attract buyers to your home. Planting native flowers and shrubs can help can be less costly and lower maintenance.
If you don’t have the budget to do major renovations or updates, it is most important that you fix anything that is broken in your home. A potential buyer will find these problems during their home inspection and this can cause you to lose money on the sale of your home. A small problem can become a major one if not tended to in a timely manner.