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Home Appraisal Tips & Advice
California Home Values and Property Taxes: Are the Laws What They Should Be?December 22, 2008
California is once again rethinking Proposition 13, the law that bases home property taxes on the purchase price of a house. Will a new property tax law pass? California Home Values Are Falling: Can There Be an Upside?
September 30, 2008
Home sale prices are down and most people have seen a loss of home value in their neighborhood. Can there be a hidden benefit? Selling Your Home Successfully in Today's Market
September 8, 2008
Yes, the home selling market has slowed in the past year; however, houses are still being purchased on a daily basis. What is the secret to successful home selling? Remodeling and Your Home Value
By Karen LawsonHome Worth Columnist
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You've decided to surprise your wife with a heart-shaped swimming pool. You want to remodel your basement into a pub, complete with dart board and video games. Before turning your living room into a greenhouse for your orchid collection, it's a good idea to determine what home improvements can increase the value of your home. If you're living in North Dakota, you may want to hold off on that swimming pool, heart-shaped or otherwise.
Not Selling Your Home? Consider the Unexpected
Should you avoid personalizing your home with a backyard amusement park for your kids? If you might be selling your home, the answer is probably "no." Unusual and very specific types of home remodeling can seriously narrow the pool of potential buyers, and possibly impact home worth. Consulting local real estate professionals can provide ideas for desirable home features in your area. Do buyers want tile countertops or granite? Of course, your decisions also depend on your personal taste and budget.
In general, updating kitchens and baths is typically a good investment to increase home value. Environmentally friendly projects such as energy efficient windows, solar heating, and drought-tolerant landscaping can help save on utility bills while adding to home worth. Home improvements that reflect your personal taste and hobbies can work; installing a greenhouse in your backyard may appeal to potential buyers, while a Jacuzzi tub in the master suite can be more useful than an outdoor pool. Your choice of home improvement projects can enhance your home value and curb appeal. This can come in handy if you need to sell your home in the future.
About the Author
Karen Lawson is a freelance writer with extensive experience in mortgage banking. She holds BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.