Adding a deck can help sell your home!
Adding a deck to your home is one of the most worthwhile of all home improvement projects. In fact, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value survey, a wood deck addition project returns on average more than 80% of the original investment—one of the highest values in the survey.
One of the reasons that a deck is such a good investment is
because it increases living area at a minimal cost per square foot. The
national average for new construction costs of a two-story, 2,000 sq.
ft. home is about $90 per sq. ft, according to the National Association
of Home Builders, However, the construction costs for a wood deck are
less than $35 per sq. ft.
The return on your deck investment will
vary according to the region in which you live. In the Pacific West,
where construction costs are generally higher than other parts of the
country, decks are more expensive to build. However, the return on
investment is also higher than other regions. Part of the reason can be
attributed to the fact that in many areas of the temperate Pacific West,
the outdoor living season is virtually year-round, making a deck a
solid investment.
National average cost, 16x20 ft. deck, pressure-treated wood
decking:
Job Cost: $10,634
Resale Value: $8,573
Cost recoup: 80.6%
National average cost, 16x20 ft.
deck, composite decking:
Job Cost: $15,373
Resale Value: $10,904
Cost recoup: 70.9%
Posted at 04:16PM Jun 14, 2010 by Lori Fontyn in Real Estate | Comments[0]
Tax Credit Extended for Active-veterans!
Active-veterans who serve serve on an official, extended duty service outside of the united states for at least 90 days during the period of December 1st 2008 through May 1st 2010 will be granted a 1-year extension on the home buyer tax credit. In other words, any active veterans who served overseas for over 90 days between the the aforementioned dates can qualify for the same home buyer tax if they are in contract to purchase by April 30th, 2011 and complete the transaction by June 30th, 2011. Any veteran who’s thinking of buying a new home who served overseas during this timeline should be happy to know they have an extra year to find a new home.
Posted at 08:19PM Jun 04, 2010 by Lori Fontyn in Real Estate | Comments[0]
Real Estate is picking up!
Multiple Offers!
Good news on the real estate front! We are seeing multiple offers on listings. Primarily on homes priced at or below $225,000. There are so many short sale and foreclosure listings on the market that a "regular" sale is a beautiful thing! Realtors and Buyers alike prefer to work with a "regular" seller vs. an institution or lien-holder.
One of our recent listings was priced at $200,000 and we received 10 offers! Another was priced at $255,000 and we received 2 offers and sold the home at full price with no concessions!
As we move into the summer months we hope to see an increase in buyer activity. So far, we haven't seen the prices increase, however we have seen the days on market (DOM) go down.
Posted at 08:17PM May 18, 2010 by Lori Fontyn in Real Estate | Comments[0]
