Remodeling to Increase Home Value

If you’re considering selling a home in the next twelve months, we’d love to come out and tour your home. I find it has been a regular part of my real estate practice to advise homeowners on what to improve (or not to improve) prior to going on the real estate market. We can help advise on what remodeling choices would result in the highest return on investment.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next twelve months, Stephen would love to tour your home. Call today to set an appointment.

Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor
4% Max. to Sell a Home
Cancel Anytime Policy
Licensed Since 2003
503-714-1111

Top 5 Colors to Paint Your Home to Increase Home Value in 2023

May 15, 2023

If your home is in need of a fresh coat of paint or you are considering painting your exterior to enhance its curb appeal for potential buyers, choosing the right color can feel like a weighty decision. It’s true that the most important photo for your home’s online listing is the first one, and that first impression is crucial for capturing a buyer’s attention. Learning about the types of colors that work well for your home’s design and in your neighborhood – as well as colors that are currently trending for home exteriors – can go a long way toward narrowing your choices. We’ve provided an overview of the most popular home colors this year to help you discover the...

Cork Stripped Flooring: Better than Hardwoods?

April 17, 2023

If you’re looking for an earth-friendly material to replace or refinish your floors, whether in the interest of sustainability or to achieve a natural aesthetic or both, cork stripped flooring might just be the superior choice – even over the ever popular and time-tested hardwoods. There are several options in this category, but cork and hardwoods take the lead as both the most environmentally friendly and the most appealing to homeowners and homebuyers alike. Cork stripped flooring is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. Beginning when the tree is 25 years old, the cork is carefully harvested by hand with a small hatchet without damaging or hurting the tree. The cork is first punched into wine and...

portland kitchen remodel

Modern Kitchen Upgrades to Boost Your Home’s Value in 2023

February 6, 2023

As a real estate agent in my 20th year working in the Portland metro, I have seen every possible style of kitchen, from those that seem to be “frozen in time” and never updated after being built or up to a certain decade to high-end remodels complete with the latest technology, and everything in between. A common saying among real estate agents is, “kitchens sell houses”, and with the way we live at home, with meals, activities and socializing revolving around the kitchen, and the reality that updated kitchens are the number one priority for prospective homebuyers, this adage rings true. Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2022 reveals that the national average return on investment (ROI) for a...

solar panel impact on home value portland

Do Solar Panels Increase the Value of a Home in Portland, Oregon? 2023 Report

January 16, 2023

There have been a number of national studies on the impact installing solar panels has on home value. But, as one might imagine, there is likely a strong regional effect. Installing solar panels in Arizona might be a lot more desirable and have a greater impact on their home values, than adding solar panels to a home in the cloudy Pacific Northwest. So it is important to have some local research done, so a homeowner knows what the home value impact will be where they live, in this case Portland, Oregon, which is also likely to reflect the impact of solar panels on home values within its greater region – the Pacific Northwest. (We conduct many other regular research reports...

Top 5 Front Door Colors to Sell your Home in 2023

October 24, 2022

The exterior door of your home has multi-purpose functions: first and foremost, it keeps you and your family safe and secure and protects your home’s interior from the elements, and it also enhances your home’s aesthetic for curb appeal. Choosing an eye-catching color that revitalizes your home is an inexpensive way to give its facade a refresh, help it stand out from all the other homes on your block, adding value, and ultimately, make it more marketable. In this article, we’re looking at the top five exterior door color choices into 2023. The theme? Think post-pandemic, no-limits creativity. This doesn’t mean, though, that we’re likely to see a free-for-all. Basic color theory still applies. How to Apply Color Theory to...

Modern Bathroom Remodeling Ideas to Increase Home Value in 2023

October 10, 2022

If you’re thinking of selling your home and are wondering how to increase its value without breaking the bank, upgrades and remodels are a good place to start, especially in the bathroom. If that sounds expensive already, know this: there’s plenty you can do in this realm to see a return on your investment when it comes to sale price. Whether you choose to renovate (updating fixtures, for example) or take on a full-blown remodel (changing the functionality) of your bathroom, you’ll stand a better chance of attracting the attention of earnest buyers and getting more at closing. Upgrade Your Bathroom With Safety and Sanitation Features in 2023 The pandemic stirred up concerns over sanitation and safety. Example: touchless faucets,...

Top 5 New Roof Types to Install in the Pacific Northwest

September 28, 2022

When your roof is doing its job, it’s easy to take it for granted. But if it gets damaged during a storm or degrades due to age, you’re faced with the expense of repairing or replacing it. It can be hard to where to begin. Should you go with the materials that were used before, or should you consider another type of roof? New roofs are common upgrades for those wanting to sell because it adds value to the home. A fresh roof with clean lines and gutters can dramatically increase curb appeal from something worn down or potentially scary looking to a homebuyer. Also, most lenders will require that the roof is not leaking and in reasonable shape before...

12 Remodeling Trends to Sell a Home for More

July 15, 2022

After sequestering for much of the past two years, people are looking for ways to refresh and enliven their spaces at home. Trends come and go, and humans like change. So it’s always good to know what’s in and what’s out, for both our own personal tastes and preferences, and when it comes time to sell a home. We checked in to see what Portland, Oregon’s top interior designers are saying to bring you the biggest and most interesting home decor trends and influences for 2022. These can be especially helpful if you’re preparing for a future home sale. 1. Next to Nature After the stressors of the past two years, homeowners are creating “more tranquil spaces at home,” says...

Best Colors to Paint Your Home to Increase Home Value 2022

June 1, 2022

First impressions matter. When you’re selling your home, you want to make the best one possible when potential buyers roll up to the curb for a walk through. Whether you anticipate selling your home in the near future or a few years from now, it never hurts to think about how to increase its value. Making the decision to sell your home is a big one, one that’s usually followed by other decisions, like what updates are needed, which ones take priority, and which ones fit within your budget. One change you can make to increase your home’s value is to paint the exterior. Not only will it give the structure a fresh, clean appearance, it will also entice those...

Portland Landscaping Tips to Increase Short-Term or Long-Term Home Value

May 23, 2022

Are you gearing up to put your home on the market this summer? If so, there’s a lot to think about: finding a qualified real estate agent, prioritizing repairs and updates, and so much more! The ultimate goal, of course, is to make your home as appealing as possible to every potential buyer who crosses the threshold for an in-person viewing. One excellent way to improve the aesthetic appeal and increase the value of your home is to refresh or revamp landscaping. Below, we offer tips and suggestions for improving the value of your home for both short- and long-term approaches. Short-Term Curb Appeal Boost to Sell your Home Here are a few quick, simple steps you can take to...