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

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...

Top 5 Front Door Colors to Sell your Home 2022

September 20, 2021

First impressions matter, so if you want to hook potential buyers with the ultimate curb appeal, consider refreshing your home’s front door color. It’s a small investment that can reap quicker sales and put thousands more in your pocket at closing, according to a recent study by Zillow. Our top 5 front door choices for 2022 combines the Zillow study, recent colors of the year awards, and research into popular exterior colors. Keeping in mind factors like trends, style of home, and geographical location will go a long way in helping you choose the perfect color. Which of our following top five front door color picks will make people want to step inside your home and take a look around?...

10 Landscaping Tips to Increase Home Value in 2021

May 17, 2021

Landscaping: it’s an art form, one that can be hard to wrap your head around. That’s because, like all art forms, landscaping adds value to which it’s hard to assign a strict dollar amount. We’re talking about atmosphere, comfort, and that ineffable something that makes a space feel welcoming. But, also like all art forms, we can discuss its value because history shows that people will pay for that ineffable something! In 2020, the National Association of Realtors reported that homes with high curb appeal sold on average for 7% more than comparable homes with low curb appeal. Effective landscaping frames the home and gives the impression of a well-kept property. So just like choosing the right paint color or...

Top 3 Exterior Paint Colors to Increase Home Value in 2021

May 14, 2021

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders – especially when you’re selling your home. We hear the word curb appeal casually thrown around quite a bit, but the term is rooted in reality. Prospective buyers are more likely to tour a home that looks more inviting from the outside. And the buck doesn’t stop there. Last year a joint study from the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Arlington found that homes with curb appeal sell at an average of 7% higher than comparable (but less visually appealing) homes. If it’s been more than five years since your last paint job, we recommend you get a fresh coat before listing. But to speak of paint begs...

Top 5 Home Siding Types & Repair Methods

December 18, 2020

Have you checked your home siding lately? Repairing or replacing siding is a common home maintenance requirement, and something buyers will be looking at when they tour your home. Here’s our guide to the best products and fixes for home siding. Portland’s Top Siding Materials  1. Fiber Cement Sustainable, highly customizable and durable, fiber cement is a very popular siding material among Portland builders and homeowners. Although it ranks among the most expensive for material and installation, low maintenance costs over time can help offset the upfront cost. In addition, return on investment is higher for fiber cement than vinyl, according to Remodeling Magazine. Fiber cement is made from a mixture of wood fiber, sand, clay, and Portland cement, and...

Top Portland Home Design Trends of 2021

October 2, 2020

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 has terrible lighting and they look like that are giving an anonymous witness testimony or live in a yellow covered world,” says Portland designer Kevin Twitty. Let 2020 be the year you perfect your home’s lighting situation (start by learning the difference between watts, lumens and Kelvins). LED is the best, and they cost one-fifth of what they did seven years ago. LED bulbs can...

Top 5 Roof Repairs: What to look for in 2020

June 22, 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 home or considering putting one on the market, get to know the common roof issues that Portland homeowners experience.   Top 5 Roof Problems for Portland Homes It’s true with most things, but especially with roofs, that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Knowing these five signs of roof trouble could save you big bucks down the road: 1. Missing shingles...

Top 3 Exterior Paint Colors to Boost Home Value in 2020

May 22, 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 to the basics, gravitating toward homes that look inviting, cozy and classic. Check out the top three real estate-agent approved colors to paint your home before you sell. Our Top Three House Colors for 2020 1. Creamy Mushroom by Behr When to use it: Contemporary-style homes, ranch houses, traditional-looking homes What it is: Most people know this color as “greige”, but we like “creamy mushroom”...

Portland Landscaping Tips to Increase Home Value 2020

May 18, 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 hard time fitting it all into one blog article — but we will do our best! Landscaping to Boost Curb Appeal: Sell Your Home for More this Summer Study after study shows that curb appeal has a direct impact on home value: a 7-14% increase in sales price was recently reported by realtor.com.  We also know that landscaping is a major component of curb appeal....

5 Portland Bathroom Remodel Ideas – Increase Home Value

April 24, 2020

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 every day. (Especially in the COVID 19 days right!) We go there to relax, rejuvenate and sometimes just to get away. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at just how much value a remodeled bathroom can contribute to your typical Portland home, and provide some Realtor approved improvement ideas! The Value of Bathroom Remodels The first thing to keep in mind about bathroom...