A $21,000 Mini Makeover Before Selling — Was it Worth It?

We’ve written before about that burning real estate question: should you renovate before you sell?  I said it then and I’ll say it now—a few key updates can make a huge difference in the final sales price and the profit you end up pocketing. Let’s dive into an example—a $21,000 mini makeover on a Pacific Heights condo. The Updates This two-bed/one-and-a-half-bath condo in Pacific Heights measured 814 square feet. And it needed a little love. In eighteen days, this place

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Home Renovations and Value — An Insider’s Perspective

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Last week, we wrote a post for the proud new owners of fixer-uppers. If your idea is to buy the worst house on the best block and dump a bunch of money into renovations, read on! Unfortunately, the market doesn’t care about specific accounting or how much time, money and effort you put into your remodel. It’s not a simple equation of home price plus renovation costs equals new, higher home value. When it comes to home renovation and value, here’s the

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Proud New Owner of a Pandemic Fixer-Upper? Here’s What Renovation Costs Run

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Last week, we shared eight tips for buying a house during times of crisis. If you’re the type who views the historically low interest rates as an opportunity, you may be the proud new owner of a fixer-upper. And in that case, a remodel may be in your very near future. If so, a recent realtor.com article offers some highlights about what average renovation costs will run you.  Basic Numbers First thing first — exact prices will depend on square

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Home Improvements — What to Know Before You Upgrade

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HGTV is a guilty pleasure for many of us, but take that home improvement advice with a grain of salt. Those fun-to-watch shows often give the consumer an unrealistic perspective on the real profits achieved when home-flipping, so before you start tacking up the shiplap or ripping out cabinetry, read this. Renovations, upgrades, and makeovers aren’t cheap, and you should understand the likelihood of any return on your investment before you dive in. Talk to the Experts You’re dreaming of a gleaming chef’s

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Compass Concierge — Flip Your Own Home, With Our Help

Ten years ago, the idea of the fixer-upper was appealing to a lot of buyers. But the dated “before” look is a huge turn-off these days, at least in the pricey Bay Area, where people who can afford to buy generally have more money than time. The majority of buyers aren’t into the idea of sweat equity — they’re looking for as close to move-in ready as they can get, and they aren’t interested in inheriting your never-ending fix-it list

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