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 Portland Home Design Trends of 2021

The pandemic has provided some with the perfect opportunity to rethink their home space. We combed all the best Portland home design blogs and Instagram accounts to bring you this trendsetting city’s seven biggest decor influences for 2020 and into 2021. 1. Lighting gets specific. “We have all been in that Zoom meeting where someone […]

Top 5 Roof Repairs: What to look for in 2020

Portland is a city with some special challenges for roof maintenance — big trees, a lot of flat roofs and high rainfall. And while roofs are easy to place in the “out of sight, out of mind” category, a compromised roof can compromise the entire structural integrity of the home. Whether you’re shopping for a […]

Top 3 Exterior Paint Colors to Boost Home Value in 2020

Repainting a home before you sell is always a good idea, especially if it’s been more than five years since the last paint job. A fresh coat of exterior paint is an immediate facelift, a signal to buyers that the home is cared for and move-in ready.  This year, Portland home buyers are going back […]

Portland Landscaping Tips to Increase Home Value 2020

Whether you’re hoping to build home value long-term or are selling this summer and want to maximize curb appeal, landscaping is critical. This time of year is when Portland yards, gardens and outdoor play/relax areas really shine. There’s so much potential here to impress and win over home buyers that we’re going to have a […]

5 Portland Bathroom Remodel Ideas – Increase Home Value

Did you know? Portland home buyers love a remodeled bathroom! It’s true — according to Remodeling’s Magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, Portland home owners received 10% more return on investment for a midrange bathroom remodel than the national average.  Bathrooms offer great homeowner value because they’re a room in the house that we use […]

Best DIY Kitchen Cabinet Ideas – Improve Home Value in 2020

Update, Don’t Replace Cabinets Buyers are serious about wanting fresh kitchen cabinets in their home. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value report, a minor kitchen remodel — new cabinets plus appliances, flooring and paint job — will offer a higher return on investment than major kitchen renovations, and buyers in Portland are especially […]

Top Home Colors and Trends – Portland Real Estate 2019

Color, materials, placement: Whether you just purchased your Portland home or are staging to sell a home in the Portland real estate market, the fresh look you’re seeking is possible with some know-how and inspiration.  Read on for our top Portland real estate agent tips for designing and decorating your interior space this year.  In […]

Top 5 Front Door Colors to Sell Your Home in 2020

We’re not exaggerating when we say that home buyers really, really love a freshly painted front door. In fact, a recent study by Zillow found that this one upgrade can add thousands to the final sales price of a home.  But what color to choose? Popularity matters, but so does matching with the paint scheme and […]

Home Improvements that Lower your Home Value

Redecorating? Installing new kitchen countertops? Thinking of adding a pool? Not all home improvements in the Portland real estate market increase your home’s value. Consider the following: The average homeowner hangs on to their home about 10 years. When it comes time to sell, some improvements done in that time will retain value, but others […]

Top 10 Home Upgrades to Sell Home for More

Selling a home in the Portland real estate market this summer? Patience is the key word. In the first four months of 2019, homes were taking an average of 66 days to sell — 11 days longer than they were on the Portland market this time last year.  If waiting isn’t your strong suit, we’ve […]

Interior Paint Colors to Boost Portland Home Value

Portland home sellers: If you didn’t already know, a new coat of paint is a great home improvement project to impress buyers. Fresh paint, applied skillfully and with attention to detail, can make a home look brand-new and up-to-date without breaking the bank. In my experience as a top 1% Portland real estate agent, nothing […]

Paint a Portland Home Exterior this Color – Sell for More

Those repainting the exterior of their home before putting it on the Portland real estate market would do well selecting something close to “greige”. At least, that’s what a new report by Zillow suggests. Zillow’s mighty research arm reached into its archives to pull out 135,000 photos of homes that sold in the past year, […]

Portland Home Sellers’ Guide: To Fix or Not to Fix?

If you’re planning on putting your home on the Portland market before the Portland real estate summer market is over, you may be looking around wondering, “What do I need to upgrade, repair or fix?” For most sellers, home repairs fall into three main categories: Getting the home into a condition that the home appraiser […]

Portland Spring Lawn and Garden Care

Winters in Portland can be calamitous — winds blow in leaves, pine needles and debris while shaking down loose tree limbs. Heavy rains create sinkholes and unexpectedly cold temperatures may damage some plants. If you’re listing your home on the Portland real estate market this spring (but even if you’re not) your home could probably use […]

Top 5 Modern Home Design Trends of 2018 – and where in Portland to find them

The new year is all about designing homes that are stately, functional, and as unique as their owners. Portland is a city that embraces modern life, but homeowners here tend to prefer tried-and-true styles over the season’s latest trend. What new home design trends will arise in 2018? Read on to find out more from […]

Grow your Portland Home Value with Trees

Portland may be the City of Roses, but its taller, leafier residents number in the millions and give Portland its characteristic green glow. Everyone loves trees because they offer shade as well as beauty, but did you know that trees can also improve your home value? Here’s your Portland Real Estate Guide to Trees, tree […]

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What My Clients Are Saying

Stephen made the experience of selling my first house seamless. I live in another state but he kept me informed and moved the process along without a hitch. The only thing another agent could have done differently was charge a much higher commission. I only wish he was able help me purchase in my state. Highly recommend his service and business model.

Julie