Tehama Country Real Estate

Tehama Country Real Estate – 3 What Remodeling Projects Are Best At Improving the Value Of Your Home? Real Estate Spotlight By Alex Mason to home improvement and increasing the value of your property, not all home improvement pro- jects are created equal. W To save time, money and get your full financial return on your invest- ment, take some tips from the experts to do the job right. KITCHENS ARE A GO Kitchen upgrades are one of the best home improvement strategies to get more bang for your selling buck. Tired old tiles can be replaced with granite countertops to give the kitchen a mod- ern and contemporary feel. In addition, you may wish to add an island work station if you have sufficient floor space to increase your kitchen's utility. Down with the drapery and in with clean vertical blinds to make the room pop with extra living space and a neutral appeal to the new prospective buyer. Also, if you have a water heater tucked away in your kitchen or adja- hen it comes cent hallway, it is best to have the unit moved out- side for safety in case of a hot water spill and open- ing your kitchen for max- imum storage space. get. SUMPTUOUS BATH- ROOMS We might not spend a great deal of time in our bathrooms. However, when we do go there, it better be nice. Granite countertops, lighted van- ity mirrors and expansive shelf space equal money in the bank when your home is going to market. Try to keep the decor to a minimum to create a feeling of a larger living space. To add color with- out bringing in excessive items, you may opt for a stained glass window and gold tone faucets for the finishing touch. If you wish to enhance the tile work without breaking the bank, try a few selective tile pattern prints to add to your existing white or neutral tile color scheme. The solid and patterned tile blending is eye catching and conveys a sense of professionally decorated tile work while remodel- ing on a shoestring bud- ATTIC AND BASE- MENT COMPLETION Many homes appear to be in mint condition in the main living spaces, but they may be lacking when it comes to extra rooms above and below the home. If your attic is full of cobwebs or needs some organization, be sure to fix the problem and make this added space shine. Likewise, a basement in need of finishing can make or break a sale if the buyers intend to use the extra room for storage or recreation. Clear away the junk and apply a fresh coat of paint to bring your attic or base- ment up to par. You may also wish to invest in some plastic storage containers or build a simple shelf to increase the space and utility of the room. SWIMMING POOLS ARE RISKY Many home owners who reside in fair-weath- er states falsely believe that adding a swimming pool is an automatic sell- ing tool. Nothing could be further from the truth. When a home buyer hires an agent, the pres- ence of a pool in the back- yard is a green light for swimmers and a red light for cautious parents with young children. Its a fifty-fifty gamble that a buyer will appreciate your investment into a pool, so if you plan on selling your home, keep your money in your wal- let and steer clear of this costly project. Instead, spiffy up your backyard living space with colorful planters, a variety of flowers or per- haps drop in a cascading waterfall to relax and refresh your outdoor guests. Add sights and sound to your garden to ani- mate and bring out the best of your outside liv- ing space. Tinkling chimes, whirling garden pinwheels and pop art bird houses can turn an ordinary backyard into something special for pennies on the dollar out of your remolding bud- get. Alex Mason is a former real estate agent and mortgage broker living in Los Angeles.

• Cover