Bathroom Makeover Tips for Staying on Budget

For several months, I have been contemplating a bathroom makeover for the master bathroom in my home.  The size of the bathroom is sufficient, but I want to make it more functional.  I have an older home and "function is job one" for me.  The bathroom "boasts" (I use that term lightly) a jetted tub that I hate!  I never use it (it takes forever to drain) - so pretty much all it does is collect dust and is difficult to clean.  I want to remove the tub, make my shower larger and more luxurious (rainmaker showerhead, nice fixtures, a shower seat and nice shower doors) since that is what we use and enjoy.  I want to replace my pedestal sink with one that has a cabinet for extra storage and add something like a dresser or a piece of furniture of some kind that will give it a warm look while, again, adding storage. Oh, and I want a mini chandelier - I just have to have one!  Finally, I would like to tile the walls to some extent and replace the vinyl floor with tile or wood. 
So with my budget of $5,000 in mind, I began checking out what some of the home centers have to offer and how much things cost and it soon became evident that I may have to find different ways to achieve the look I want in order to stay within my budget.  For instance, instead of having a tiled shower, I could install a prefab shower and kind of frame it with tile on the wall around it.  I'd seen it online and it would save a lot of money, but the impact would be the same. 
I came across this article in HouseLogic, 7 Smart Strategies for Bathroom Remodeling, which illustrates just what I'm talking about.  It offers bathroom makeover tips that can help you stay within your budget and leave you satisfied with the result. 

 

7 Smart Strategies for Bathroom Remodeling

Outdoor Spaces Extend Curb Appeal

Thinking of putting your home on the market?  There's something you should know. According to the Chief Economist at the American Institute of Architects, outdoor living spaces have become a "must-have" among home buyers.

  A cozy outdoor space where friends and family can gather will increase curb appeal, extend living area, and lets the home buyer imagine the possibilities and lifestyle they can have.

 

Think about it.  When I tell friends that in my neighborhood, our parties and gatherings are always outdoor in someone's backyard, sitting around a fire,  I hear the oohs and aahs!   It sounds wonderful.  That's the feeling you want can create and your home will stand out among the competition.   Following are some creative ideas for different budgets that will spruce up your outdoors.  Read more

When You Make An Offer to Purchase A Home...Go The Distance

When a client is ready to make an Offer to Purchase on a home, one of the first things I do is determine how realistically the asking price is.  This is important because the closer asking price is to market value, the closer the agreed upon purchase price will be to that number, except in cases of hardship.  To determine market value,  I look at comparable sales in the last six months, days on market, whether the home has received other offers, tax value, and local market conditions, to name a few.   I present my finding to the buyer client in order to help them determine a good opening offer.

Of course it's human nature to want to get the best deal possible, I get that.  But the purpose of making an offer is, at the very least, to get the seller to counter offer, if not accept.  So if the home is priced relatively close to market value, and your initial offer is ridiculously low, the only thing you will have accomplished will be to have insulted the seller who'll shut you down.  

As an agent, I wish for homes to be priced correctly because they are easier to sell.  As a buyer, you have to be able to recognize it when it happens and react accordingly.  Your agent has done a lot of work to help you achieve your goal of finding a home in your price range that meets your needs; has done all the paperwork necessary to make an offer; and has researched comparable properties and market conditions so you can make an educated offer.  If you are a serious buyer, go the distance.  Consider all the information given to you by your agent and negotiate intelligently.  If both buyer and seller are committed, it should result in a meeting of the minds and an accepted offer.