The process of renovating a property can be mind-bending. With my background in Architecture and my passion for real estate, I am confident I can help you find a property with great potential and bring it back to life.
I will go out of my way to make the space you are dreaming of a reality.
These are the less-than-sexy remodel jobs, such as new roofing (every 15 to 25 years for asphalt tile), a new furnace (every 10 to 15 years), or a new A/C unit (every 10 to 15 years). These improvements can offer savings in the year of renovation and in the years to come. For instance, replacing all the windows in your home could cost $10,000 or more, but the AIC estimates that this renovation will provide a return on investment (ROI) between 50% and 75%. Since outdated or improperly working windows and doors are major contributors to a home’s energy loss—up to 20% by some estimates—repairing or replacing these features will provide immediate savings and will add value to your home. Now, that’s a smart reno!
The kitchen and bathrooms are key areas that hold their value if the finishes are contemporary and neutral. However, an entire renovation isn’t always required. For instance, wooden kitchen cabinets can be easily updated by resurfacing the doors and changing the hardware. You can also modernize and update the look of your kitchen by changing the countertop and replacing lighting and plumbing fixtures.
If you’re renovating with your own family in mind, you can develop a smart plan by asking for features that are easy to update when it comes time to sell.
The return on investment for a fresh coat of paint is up to 165%—the best ROI of any home improvement. Other smaller remodel updates that don’t break the bank include replacing the front door, updating the home’s lighting fixtures, and adding (or rejuvenating) landscaping.
Inexpensive remodel jobs aren’t isolated to a few fixtures, either. Removing carpet and installing hardwood goes a long way to increasing your home’s appeal to potential buyers.
According to a variety of appraisal sources, energy efficient renovations are considered to have one of the highest paybacks, relative to cost.
Whether it’s a sketch on a cocktail napkin or full-blown architectural plans, some type of planning and design always comes first.
Make a list of the work that is required, and indicate the characteristics of the project. With my background in Architecture, I am confident I can help you to create a space that will suit your needs and your budget.
Property taxes are not standard across the board and, as an investor planning to make money from rent, you want to be aware of how much you will be losing to taxes. High property taxes may not always be a bad thing if the neighborhood is an excellent place for long-term tenants, but the two do not necessarily go hand in hand. The town’s assessment office will have all the tax information on file or you can talk to homeowners within the community.
Your tenants may have or be planning to have children, so they will need a place near a decent school. When you have found a good property near a school, you will want to check the quality of the school as this can affect the value of your investment. If the school has a poor reputation, prices will reflect your property’s value poorly. Although you will be mostly concerned about the monthly cash flow, the overall value of your rental property comes in to play when you eventually sell it and retire someday.
No one wants to live next door to a hot spot for criminal activity. Go to the police or the public library for accurate crime statistics for various neighborhoods, rather than asking the homeowner who is hoping to sell the house to you. Items to look for are vandalism rates, serious crimes, petty crimes and recent activity (growth or slow down). You might also want to ask about the frequency of police presence in your neighborhood.
Locations with growing employment opportunities tend to attract more people – meaning more tenants. If you notice an announcement for a new major company moving to the area, you can rest assured that workers will flock to the area. However, this may cause house prices to react (either negatively or positively) depending on the corporation moving in. The fall back point here is that if you would like the new corporation in your backyard, your renters probably will too.
