Shutters Value on Homes - March 2007
The selling potential and resale value of a home can be greatly increased by raising the level of “curb appeal” for the buyer. One significant and economical method of enhancing the property’s exterior is by installing window shutters or upgrading the style or design of current shutters. Due to the vast array of available shutters to choose from, it will be easy to find those that will offer an exceptional return on investment.

While the addition of nearly any shutter will provide a uniform aesthetic to the front of your home and create a great first impression, the installation of louvered wood shutters is a sure-fire way to encourage buyers to request a showing. It goes without saying, the more buyers visiting the property the higher chance of a sale. Wood shutters can either be stained or painted to coordinate with the existing exterior trim to create an overall statement of taste and charm.

Merely decorative window shutters are a classic touch, however, when you choose shutters that are not only visually appealing but also serve a practical purpose, you can expect an even greater increase in the value of your home. Hinged along either side of the window, and baring the ability to close over the whole of the window, these shutters protect against wind and rain and also offer a degree of privacy. Red cedar is the most common type of wood used to construct functional window shutters and is considered a durable and attractive choice. An increase in functionality is derived from installing shutters with movable louvers, which can be used to control the amount of light that is filtered through.

Bahama shutters are often seen on homes in parts of the country where direct rays of the sun are a continuous pleasantry, but can also drive up cooling costs. Energy conscious consumers will find an added value from homes that include this type of shutter. Propped open by a pair of rod-like support arms to create a type of awning, Bahama shutters are easily opened or closed from inside the home.

If your home is located on a busy street or in a neighborhood replete with children playing, functional shutters can serve as a buffer against a myriad of unwanted noise. This little known benefit is a profitable selling point for a home that may not reside in an ideal location, but has many other amazing qualities.

Exterior shutters in a vast array of styles and materials are an excellent way to give your home an inviting quality and at the same time offer a great return on investment. Of all the projects a home owner can choose to raise their resale value, this is one of the most economical and effective methods to beautify and add benefit to the prospective home buyer.  Call me to discuss the potential sale of your Santa Barbara property and we can discuss other improvements. (805) 252-2335

For more home improvement ideas visit www.ArchitecturalDepot.com 

Bringing Your Home Up To Par For Top Dollar 

Which home improvements give the best payback?

Live or own in the Santa Barbara area? If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, or finishing your basement, you probably want to get your investment back when you sell your home. But when it comes to payback value of home improvements, some are definitely more profitable than others. As a general rule, kitchen and bathroom projects usually get a nice return on investment, typically 90% or more.Things like adding rooms or finishing basements tend to pay back the least.Finishing a basement usually returns less than 50%, so it’s not a project likely to show profit at selling time.

There are a number of factors that go into determining how well a project will pay back. Payback value depends a lot on the current market conditions. If the market is hot and homes are selling fast, you can expect a higher payback value than you would get in a slow market.  

The type of project you do and how it fits in with other homes in your neighborhood can have a big influence on payback too. If you put your money into the wrong type of improvement, you won’t get your money back. But if you're smart about what you do, you can make money. The payback will be better on improvements that are in demand and conform to neighborhood standards. Adding a second bathroom in a neighborhood where most homes have two bathrooms will give a high return on investment.  Building a large addition that makes your home twice as big as the other homes on the block probably won’t pay back very well. Likewise, the popularity of a project will factor into how much it pays back. An improvement heavily customized to your wants and needs won’t pay back as well as something more common to other homes in the neighborhood.

Another factor to consider is the cost of the improvements. If you can do the work yourself, you can save significantly on the cost of the project and greatly improve the chances of getting a good return on the investment.

The list below is compiled from several published surveys and shows typical payback for some popular remodeling projects:

• Kitchen remodeling – 90%
• Add a bathroom – 90%
• Bathroom remodeling – 80%
• Install central heating – 90%
• Install central air – 75%
• Add a deck – 70%
• Replace windows – 70%
• Add a room – 55%
• Build a pool – 45%
• Finish a basement – 40%