Mankato Real Estate and Community News

March 13, 2023

Spring Maintenance for the Exterior of Your Home

Get the Exterior of Your Home Ready for Spring

 

Spring is right around the corner, and that means it’s almost time to start enjoying your outdoor spaces again! Here are some great tips on what to tackle when you start spring cleaning the exterior of your home. 



Clean Out Your Gutters

 

Winter snow and wind can cause your gutters to fill up with debris. You want to clean your gutters out before spring to ensure they are working properly to allow all of the water from the Spring showers to flow through them properly. Grab a ladder and a trash bag and start bagging up the debris you can find. After you have removed all of it, run a hose to flush out the rest of your gutters. While you are running the hose through you can also see where any leaks may have formed during the winter and patch those up before the next rainfall. 



Clean Up Your Yard

 

After the snow melts, you most likely will find leaves and other debris left in your yard as well. Start by raking and collecting it all in bags for disposal. To give your lawn some extra nutrients, you can always use a mulching mower to shred and mulch the leaves and use them as compost. 

 

This is also a great time to look around at your trees and shrubs and get them ready for the spring bloom. You will want to cut off any dead, diseased, or out-of-control branches. Always cut away from you so that the branches don’t risk falling on you. 



Wash Off Your Home’s Exterior

 

One of the best ways to get grime and dirt off the exterior is by using a pressure washer full. The best method to use your washer is to allow its cleaning solution to work on one area for a few minutes before you rinse it off with water only. Always start at a low pressure to ensure you don’t damage any of your siding in the process. 

 

This is also a great time to get your windows clean so you can let in all that beautiful spring light! Some great ways to get the exterior side of your windows clean are by spraying them with window cleaner and then using a large squeegee to wipe them clean. To avoid leaving streaks on your windows, wipe off your squeegee with a cloth after each pass.



Aerate Your Lawn

 

Once the grass has begun to grow it is time to start thinking about aerating. This is usually done after the first or second mow. Aerating your lawn allows for greater movement of water, fertilizer, and air throughout the soil, which allows for deeper root growth and a healthy lawn. It is important that you do this before fertilizing to ensure you get the maximum benefits. There are several places around town you can rent aerators, including Menards and River Bend Rental Mankato if you aren’t ready to buy one just yet. 



Get Your Garden and Garden Beds Ready to Bloom

 

Your garden needs just as much love as your lawn does if you want it to bloom beautifully this spring. Make sure you remove all weeds that may have grown in to allow for beautiful plants and flowers. After you clear out all weeds it is time to fertilize. Use a pH kit to determine which fertilizer would be best for your soil. Mulching your garden and garden beds is also very beneficial to prevent weeds and help the soil maintain more water all season long. Layer your mulch 2”-4” deep to help keep weeds from sprouting. 



Prep Your Patio

 

After winter you always want to check your patio and deck for any damage that may have happened during the many snowfalls. If you see any damage that has been caused, make sure to make those repairs as needed. Other ways you can prep your patio is by sweeping off any excess debris and pressure washing off any crusted dirt or stains. Once your deck/patio is clean you can bring your outdoor furniture out of storage. You will want to wash off all your furniture and make sure it's clean and ready for spring and summer sitting. Finish off by bringing out any outdoor rugs, planters, lights, wind chimes, grills and smokers. Now that your patio and deck are all prepped, you are ready to start enjoying the warmer weather!



Posted in Real Estate News
Feb. 27, 2023

How to Make Natural Cleaning Products

Make your own natural cleaning products this winter!

So many cleaning products these days are packed full of harmful chemicals that you don't want to be trapped in your home. We want to help you and your family be happy and healthier this year. Check out these great tips to make your own natural cleaning products at home to keep your home fresh year-round and keep your family healthier! 

 

 

Stainless Steel Cleaner

 

  • ½ cup olive oil

  • ½ cup distilled white vinegar

  • 20 drops of lemon essential oil

 

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle and shake well. To use spray on Stainless Steel and use a polishing cloth to wipe it off. This cleaner can be used to remove grease, fingerprints, and food from the surface while also leaving a shining finish. 

 

 

Stain Remover 

 

  • ¼ cup white vinegar

  • ¼ cup baking soda

  • a squeeze of liquid castile soap

  • 2 cups water

 

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle and give it a good shake. Keep the spray bottle on hand and use it whenever you have a tough stain on your clothes or your carpet. 

 

 

All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner

  • citrus peels

  • 2 cups white vinegar

  • 15 drops of any essential oil

To make, fill a mason jar with citrus peels and white vinegar and close the lid tightly. Allow this mixture to sit for a week. After a week, strain the solution into a spray bottle and add in your essential oils. It is now ready to be used all around your home in replacement of your other multi-purpose spray. 

 

 

Floor and Glass Cleaner

  • 1 cup isopropyl alcohol

  • 1 cup white vinegar

  • 1 cup water

  • 15 drops of any essential oil

Pour the alcohol, vinegar, and water into a spray bottle and mix. Then, add in your choice of essential oils. Spray on paper towels to wash mirrors and windows or put into a mop bucket to wash floors. 

 

 

Wood Polish

  • Juice of 1/4 of a lemon

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 tbsp white vinegar

  • 3-4 drops of any essential oil

Combine lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, and your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle. Test a small area of your wood by wetting a washcloth (squeeze out any excess water) and spraying the polish onto the cloth. Use this mixture on all wood furniture! Afterward, buff furniture with a dry microfiber cloth. 

 

 

 

Disinfecting Wipes

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 

  • 2 tbsp dish soap

  • 1/2 roll of paper towels

In a bowl mix the water, alcohol, and dish soap and stir well until combined. Cut your paper towel roll in half and pour the mixture all over the roll until it is fully soaked. Store the paper towels in an air-tight container and use them as needed on countertops, stoves, or just everyday messes. 

 

 

Oven Cleaner

 

  • ¼ cup baking soda

  • 1 tsp of salt

  • A little bit of warm water

 

Mix baking soda and salt, then continue adding water until you have created a paste. Cover your oven in the mixture and let it sit overnight. In the morning scrub and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

 

 

Fabric Sanitizer/ Refresher

  • 1 cup warm water

  • 1/2 cup witch hazel

  • 2 tbsp baking soda

  • 20-30 drops of antibacterial essential oils (ex: lavender, lemongrass, cinnamon, lemon)

Combine water, witch hazel, baking soda, and essential oils in a spray bottle. Spray onto fabrics for a quick refresh.



Microwave Cleaner 

 

  • 1 cup distilled vinegar 

  • Juice of one lemon

 

Place both ingredients in a cup and put it in your microwave. Turn your microwave on for 2 min. Leave the door closed after the 2 min for another minute or two to allow the steam to accumulate. After opening, simply wipe down all sides of the microwave and it should be nice and clean. 



Toilet Cleaner

 

  • 2 cups distilled vinegar

  • 1 cup baking soda

 

DO NOT COMBINE INGREDIENTS AHEAD OF TIME! Instead, first, pour the vinegar into the toilet bowl, then pour the baking soda on after. This will create a fizz, which means it is working.  After it stops fizzing, scrub it with a toilet bowl brush and flush it. 

Posted in Community News
Dec. 4, 2022

MN Winter Activities

Winter Activities in MN

 

Just because it’s getting colder, doesn’t mean you can’t find fun things to do inside and outside! Check out all of these amazing activities that are available to you all over this beautiful state!

 

Explore the Trails

 

Minnesota has hundreds of trails to go cross-country skiing and snowshoes, along with more than 22,000 miles of groomed snowmobiling trails! Here are some great resources to find the best trails near you this winter!

 

Ice Fishing

 

This might be one of the most popular sports in the state and it is a great way still to enjoy all of our beautiful lakes over the winter! Here in Minnesota, there are a ton of fun tournaments for Ice Fishing throughout the state! One of the biggest ones is the Fishing for the Ducks competition in Mille Lacs and the grand prize is $20,000 CASH!! So, whether you are up for the competition or you just want to enjoy the day with some friends and beers, ice fishing is an amazing way to spend your winter days! 

 

Find a Rink

 

We all know that Hockey season is the best season in Minnesota and we are so glad it is finally here! Whether you are playing or watching you know that you will have a great time! Grab your kids and catch a game, or maybe put them in some skates and teach them how to play the most beloved sport. There are several rinks around town, both inside and outside that are perfect if you are looking for a winter activity for the whole family.

 

Hit the Slopes

 

Skiing and snowboarding are both amazing ways to stay active and get outside this winter! Whether you are brand new to the sport or you have been doing it your whole life, there are slopes for everyone! Here are a couple of our favorite slopes around the state that you and your family should check out this winter!

 



Try Dog Sledding

 

This is a bucket list item that you really should try at least once! If you aren’t ready to try it just yet you can also choose to watch a dog sled race instead, which is also incredible to see. Whether you are looking to watch a race or race yourself, head up to Duluth and you can do it all!

 

Go Snow sledding or Tubing

 

No matter your age, sledding and tubing are always a great time! Once the snow begins to fall, grab your sleds and your family and head over to your favorite sledding hill! One of our favorites in town is out over in Sibley Park. You can also head over to Mount Kato for an awesome tubing experience that will be fun for the whole family!

 

Find Some Frozen Falls

 

Minnesota is known for its amazing Lakes, but we also have some amazing waterfalls! If you have never seen a waterfall frozen in the winter, then you have to check one out this year. You will have to wait until the temperatures hit the single digits to see these incredible frozen falls, but once they freeze they are truly breathtaking. Here are a few falls to check out this winter!

 

 

Go See the Christmas Lights

 

Christmas is just around the corner, which means that the lights are going up! Check out the local lights around you! One of our favorites to see is Kiwanis Holiday Lights! If you aren’t in the Mankato area or are visiting family for the holidays this year, here is a list of other great light displays around the state!

 

Check out the Ice Maze in Eagan

 

Starting on January 6, 2023, the ground around Viking Lakes in Eagan will become a winter wonderland for 45 days straight! This wonderland will include= an ice rink, warming house, pond hockey, and the Minnesota Ice Maze. This is an event you won’t want to miss! Check out more details here!

 

Posted in Community News
Nov. 6, 2022

Babyproofing and Petproofing Your Home

We all know that children and pets can get into things they aren't supposed to do way too often. So here are some great ways for you to baby and pet-proof your home to keep all your children and pets safe!

 

Use Safety Gates to Restrict Areas

There are always places in your home that you want to keep children and pets out of and since you don’t have 12 sets of eyes to watch everyone, a great way to keep them out of those areas is to set up safety gates. These are also great to set up around stairs to help ensure no one falls down them.



Install Childproof Locks 

We all have places you don’t want your pets or children getting into, whether that is drawers with kitchen knives or cabinets with dog/cat treats, you can install childproof locks on almost everything. You can also put locks on things like doorknobs or even on your stovetop knobs to keep everyone in the home safe.


Keep Cleaning Solutions and Medicines Out of Reach

The last thing you want is for your child or pet to accidentally get into something that could harm them. A great way to help ensure that doesn't happen is to keep all cleaning solutions, medication, alcohol, etc up on high shelves and out of reach. If you have cats, I suggest locking these supplies up in a medicine cabinet because cats can get to some of those higher-to-reach places. 


Always Put the Seat Down

You might not think about this one, but pets love to use the toilet as a waterhole when the seat is left up, so try and always remember to keep it down. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep a lock on it while you have young children too just to keep them from trying to reach into it out of curiosity when they are able to start wandering around. 


Secure All Unstable Furniture

Both children and pets can get a little rambunctious at times and you always want to protect them from getting hurt. To help keep them safe around your furniture when they get too rowdy, secure all bookshelves or anything else that could fall over when bumped with anchors or brackets! 


Hide All Toys 

Whether it be a dog toy or a baby toy, keep them in a closed bin that neither your pets nor child can get into when they are not in use. This can prevent children from getting a hold of toys that are choking hazards and keep pets away from toys that aren’t for them. 



Posted in Community News
Oct. 9, 2022

Minnesota Fall Activities

New Season, New Activities! Looking for some fun Fall activities to do with friends and family? Look no further! Here is a list of some great things to do around Southern Minnesota!

 

Apple Picking!

Southern Minnesota has a ton of Apple Orchards around that are a great way to spend your fall days! Pick your favorite one and enjoy walking around the orchard and picking your own fruit to take home! Some orchards even have other fruits to pick or bakeries with freshly made apple goodies! Grab some friends and family and head on over to your favorite orchard this Fall!

Some of our favorite Apple Orchards: 

  • A-Peeling Acres Orchard, New Ulm 

  • Minnesota Harvest Craft Cider Bar & Orchard, Jordan

  • Emma Krumbies, Belle Plaine



Pumpkin Patches!

Another Fall favorite is pumpkin picking! What better way to spend the day than picking out the perfect pumpkin to carve or decorate? Several pumpkin patches also have other vegetables you can pick from and some even have hay rides!

Some of our favorite Pumpkin Patches: 

  • The Little Green Wagon Pumpkin Patch, Mankato

  • Guentzel Family Farms, Kasota

  • Jack McGowans Farms, Mankato



Autumn Drives Through the Leaves!

One of the most beautiful parts of Fall is the changing of the leaves and Minnesota has a ton of them! Some of the best views of the changing leaves can be seen driving along the rivers and through the landscape. Truly no matter where you drive you can find some beautiful scenery, so hop in the car and start exploring!



Sip the Local Favorites!

Whether it’s beer, wine, spirits, or a mocktail, Minnesota is not short on craft beverages! Craft alcohol has been flourishing in Minnesota over the past decade and several breweries offer fall-themed beverages such as an Oktoberfest beer, a Harvester cocktail, or mulled wine! Plan a day to go visit some of your favorite local spots or try someplace new!



Head Out to a Sports Game!

Whether it’s an MSU football game or a Timberwolves basketball game, Minnesota is not short on sporting events in the fall! Pick your favorite team, grab some friends and make a day out of going to cheer them on! 

 

Get Your Scare On!

Halloween is just around the corner, and that means that haunted corn fields, mazes, and Tricks and Treats at Valleyfair are upon us. Minnesota is not short on haunted places, so now is your time to pick a couple of them to check out this fall and get you into the Halloween Spirit!

Some of our favorite Haunted Places: 

  • Tricks and Treats at Valleyfair, Shakopee

  • Mill Pond Haunted Hayride, St. Peter 

  • Rochester Horror Haunted House, Zumbrota 



Attend a Harvest Festival!

From pumpkin weigh-offs to grape stomps to Applefests, there are tons of things in harvest this time of the year! Check into what kind of local harvesting events are around you this season!

Harvest Festivals in Southern MN: 

  • Sever's Fall Festival, Shakopee 

    • Every Fri, Sat & Sun in October

  • Harvest Fest, Mankato

    • October 1-24th



Celebrate Oktoberfest!

Tons of towns in Minnesota celebrate the great German Tradition of Oktoberfest! One of the biggest Oktoberfests is in New Ulm and that German town celebrates the holiday right with Schell’s Brewery! Don’t miss out on these fun, beer-filled events!

Oktoberfests in Southern MN: 

  • Schell’s Oktoberfest, New Ulm

    • October 15th

  • Oktoberfest Lite @ Morgan Creek Vineyards, New Ulm

    • Oct 7th, 8th, 14th & 15th from 6:30-9 pm

Posted in Community News
Sept. 11, 2022

Fall Home Maintenance

Summer is coming to an end... are you and your home ready? 

Not sure how to get your home ready for Fall? Don't worry, we have you covered!

Check out this end-of-summer home maintenance checklist.

Clean your gutters! - It is best to clean your gutters at the end of each season to prevent buildup that could cause blockage. If possible, running a hose through your gutters is also a great idea to ensure it is still draining correctly and there are no leaks. 

Make sure you are using weather-stripping! - As the temperatures begin to fall you want to make sure that the cold air stays out of your home. To help ensure this, add or replace the weather stripping on all your exterior doors and windows if your windows are 20+ years old or leaking air.

 

Insulate your water pipes before the first freeze! -We all know that once MN gets cold, it gets very cold, so it's always best to prepare early. The best way to keep your pipes from freezing as the temperature drops is to insulate all your water pipe sleeves, with heat tape, or similar materials.

Don't forget to replace your filters! - Your air conditioner has been working hard all summer, so it is very important to replace your filters after each season to prolong the life of your HVAC system. Luckily, changing your filters is super easy and affordable.

 

Prevent a carbon monoxide disaster! - First, make sure you have functioning carbon monoxide detectors within 10’ of all sleeping rooms in your house; it’s MN state law. You can buy these at any home improvement store for less than $30 and plug them into an outlet. Next, go around the outside of your home and make sure your home’s intake and exhaust pipes have sufficient clearance off the ground in case of snowfall blockage. Our favorite home inspector recommends having extensions 3’ off the ground. Make sure bushes/landscaping aren’t blocking these as well.

 

Aerate your soil! - By aerating your lawn you will be in a sense “allowing your lawn to breathe”. This may be the most important thing to do to your lawn to keep it healthy and looking good year-round. This should be done at least twice a year, preferably in Fall and Spring. 

 

 

Don’t forget to fertilize! - Speaking of lawns, you should also be fertilizing your lawn in the fall. You should fertilize roughly 3 weeks before your last mow of the season. This will allow the grass to absorb the nutrients before the temperatures drop and the grass goes dormant for winter. 

 

 

Winterize your sprinkler system! - Once you have finished watering your lawn for the season, you will want to blow out your sprinkler system to ensure it doesn't freeze. You can either hire someone to do this or use your own compressor to get the job done. Be aware that it is a process and do your research on how to do it on your own before attempting to tackle it at home. 

 

 

Start prepping your winter car survival kit! - We know it is only Fall, but you never know when those temperatures will begin to drop. It is always a great idea to put together a winter survival kit to store in your car to be extra prepared in case you are ever stranded in the cold. Some great things to include in this would be blankets, mittens, hats, lighter, jumper cables, and boots, just to name a few.

 

Posted in Community News
Aug. 12, 2022

Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Buy Instead of Rent?

Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Buy Instead of Rent?

 

  1. Rent is increasing everywhere. No matter where you live, the cost to rent a place is constantly increasing. In many cases, your rent payment could be the same or even more than a mortgage payment. When you get a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payment will never change, which is great in a rental market that is getting more expensive each year. These increasing payments are just one reason you should consider buying a home instead of continuously renting.

 

  1. Owning a home is a long-term investment. Imagine if you spend 30 years renting. At the end of that 30 years, you would have nothing to show for all the money you had been paying all those years. Now imagine if that whole 30 years you instead were putting that money towards your mortgage. At the end of that 30 years, you would own your home and could sell it to make a profit. This is a perfect example of why owning a home is an investment in your future. 

 

  1. As property values rise, so does your equity. Over the past several years, home values have been on the rise, and are expected to continue in the coming years. This means that all the money you have been paying towards your mortgage will provide a significant return when you finally decide to sell that home. Each mortgage payment will pay off a portion of your loan, giving you equity over time. 

 

  1. Owning a home comes with tax deductions. Everyone loves when they can save money on taxes, so here are a few ways that owning a home can help you do that. As a homeowner, when you itemize your deductions, you can reduce your taxable income by deducting interest paid on your mortgage. You can also do the same thing with the property taxes that you pay. Another great benefit is that if you live in your home as your primary residence for at least 2 years, and then you sell your home for a profit, you will not be taxed on the profit that you make (some exclusions apply; please consult a tax preparer).

 

  1. Owning your own home creates housing security. One of the biggest stressors about renting is knowing what you will do at the end of each lease. Sometimes renters will sell the property and then the new owner will not continue to rent the property out, causing you to have to find a new home. To avoid ever worrying about if you will have a place to live at the end of your next lease, buy a home! By doing this, you know where you will be until you decide it is time to move on to your next home.

 

  1. You can personalize the home you own. Have you ever rented a place that had restrictions on what you could put on the walls or have in your backyard? Well, one of the best things about owning your home is having the freedom to make all the changes and decorate however you would like. Want new light fixtures? Looking to have hardwood instead of carpet? These home improvements not only are allowed when you own a home, but they also can increase value!



Posted in Buying a Home
Aug. 10, 2022

Coming Soon Listings


Coming Soon - 
11 Hoover Court, North Mankato

Posted in Coming Soon
July 24, 2022

Benefits of Staging Your Home

Benefits of Staging Your Home

 

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to selling your home. This is why staging your home before putting it on the market is so beneficial to you as a seller. 

 

What is staging?

 

Staging your home is when you temporarily furnish and depersonalize your home to make it look more attractive to buyers. When potential home buyers are looking at your home they want to be able to envision themselves living there and staging your home can help make that possible. 

 

Tips for Staging 

 

  1. Grab them at the curb

One of the best things you can do to get your home ready to sell is to get people to fall in love with your home, starting at the front door! If people see your home is for sale, they are most likely going to do a drive-by first, so you want your curb appeal to be on point. Some of the best ways to grab their attention from the street are adding potted plants, power washing patios, walkways, and driveways along with mowing/weeding your lawn. All of these things should catch a buyer's eye and make them more inclined to take a peek inside too! 

 

  1. Depersonalize & Declutter

Buyers are coming to look at your home, not your stuff, so one of the first things that should go is any excess clutter and personal items. Items to store away before showings include: pictures, collections, awards, collectibles, posters, excess electronics, and anything else you feel is a personal decoration.  Removing your items helps new buyers be able to envision themselves and their things in the home. 

 

  1. Color & Lighting

When it comes to selling, neutral is better. You might love a bright-colored room, but that can deter some buyers away. When getting ready to sell, a fresh coat of neutral paint can go a long way! Not only are neutral colors great for first impressions, but they also make your space look bigger and more inviting. Speaking of inviting, lighting is also crucial. The brighter your space the better! Before showings, make sure to turn on your lights and also open up all blinds to let all of the natural light in as well. Good lighting can set the mood for potential buyers as they are walking through your home. 

  1. Clean, Clean, Clean

When you are preparing to sell you want to deep clean your entire home. The last thing you want is some dirty baseboards or a grimy bathroom to deter buyers from seeing the beauty of your home. To avoid this, make sure you go through and clean all surfaces and corners before showings start. This is the time to get out your mops, vacuums, scrubbers, and duster and put some elbow grease into it. You will be amazed at the difference a good clean can make. 

  1. Make Repairs 

If there are any projects you have been putting off, such as squeaky hinges, chipped paint, broken fixtures, etc; then now is the time to take those on. Making all these improvements will make your home feel move-in-ready and take the stress off the buyers of imagining making all those repairs themselves.

  1. Don’t Forget the Floors

Before listing you should consider removing old carpet and maybe refinishing your hardwood. If you don’t have time to refinish your floors, you can also opt for a new area rug to disguise older floors. 

Benefits of Staging

 

  1. Help Your Listing Stand Out

 

Whether it is in person or photos, staging can make a world of difference when it comes to the look of your home. It is so important, especially in this crazy market, to ensure your home stands out and staging is an excellent way to get the job done. 

 

  1. Make Your House Feel Like Home

 

When buyers are coming to look at your house they are trying to envision it as their own space. By staging your home you are creating an environment that allows them to envision it as their home and hopefully fall in love with it. 

 

  1. Increase Selling Price

 

Based on Forbes Magazine, a staged home, on average, will sell for 17% more than a home that wasn't staged. Not only do they normally sell for more, but they also, on average, sell 87% faster than an unstaged home because buyers need less time to be able to see themselves living there. 

 

Overall, staging your home can only benefit you and your home when you are getting ready to sell. We know this can all seem overwhelming, but a huge bonus of working with a JBeal agent is that we will help you with the staging process! Trust your favorite JBeal agent to help get your home ready for the market!

Posted in Selling Your Home
April 24, 2022

DIY Home Renovations to Increase Home Value

Are you looking to increase the value of your home, but not break the bank? Well, then this blog is written just for you!

 

There are so many updates you can do yourself that can increase your home value! Check them out!

 

Deck Lighting

It is amazing how much of a difference lighting can make in any space, especially outside. Keep it simple and add some low-voltage lighting to hang around your deck. This not only adds extra character but also makes your deck a great place to host or hang out, even at night. You can either choose string lighting to border your deck or just add a few individual lights.

 

Kitchen Backsplash

It is no secret that a kitchen backsplash can add a TON of visual appeal to your kitchen, but what most people don’t know is that it is actually quite easy to install yourself. Putting in a backsplash is not only easy but also can be completed in just a weekend. You can lay your backsplash on a Saturday and grout on a Sunday. It is that easy!

And remember, backsplash tile is as trendy as jewelry. If you have backsplash tile that’s 10-15 years old, it’s time for an update.


Fresh Coats of Paint

This renovation is by far the biggest bang for your buck. Changing the color of a room or even just a wall within a room can instantly transform your space. When repainting rooms, look to add bright colors to enhance the natural light in the home and make your space seem bigger and brighter. Adding an accent wall can also bring variety and individuality to a room. Which room are you painting first?

 

Installing Crown Molding

The next renovation may be one of the most effective at adding value. Installing crown molding might take a few woodworking skills, but is very inexpensive to do yourself. Adding crown molding can add more visual interest to your home and make even the most ordinary rooms extravagant and inviting. 

 

Upgrade Kitchen Lighting

It is amazing what difference light fixtures can make in a space. If you want to increase your kitchen value without an expensive remodel, consider switching out your lighting to more modern, trending light fixtures. These updates can change the whole mood of your kitchen and can all be done without changing any wiring. In order for any room to have a great lighting concept, aim to have 3 different levels of lighting, or lighting from three different heights. This recipe is most soothing to the eye!



The most common comment that we as Realtors hear when helping clients get ready to sell is, “We wish we would’ve done this sooner!” So don’t wait! Don’t put off replacing flooring or updating your landscaping until the week before the Realtor comes - we want you to love where you live (the whole time!).

Posted in Community News