Wakefield,Reutlinger AND COMPANY/REALTORS
o r s .c o m
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REAL ESTATE
A Publication of Wakefield, Reutlinger and Company/Realtors Vol. 1 No. 29 April 2011
Do It Yourself Updates By Melissa Tracey
That Can Increase Home’s Value
Simple, affordable do-it-yourself projects such as working condition. Update the home’s electrical
cleaning and decluttering and just adding lighting with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any
can help increase a home’s resale value. lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old
Here are some DIY projects all under $1,000! plug points with new safety fixtures.
Cleaning and decluttering: Remove any personal Cost: $535 Estimated return: $1,505
items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and Replace or shampoo dirty carpets: Steam-clean
shelves, and make the home sparkling clean. carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any
Cost: $290 Estimated return: $1,990 floor creaks.
Light and bright: Clean all windows inside and Cost: $647 Estimated return: $1,739
out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures.
Cost: $375 Estimated return: $1,550
Staging: Rearrange furniture, bring in new Quick Fixes to Increase Value
accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, Buff up curb appeal. Check the condition of the
including artwork. landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker.
Enrich with color. Soft colors that say “welcome.”
Cost: $550 Estimated return: $2,194 Upgrade the kitchen and bathroom. These make-or-
Kentucky Landscaping: Punch up the home’s curb appeal in break rooms can spur a sale.
the front and backyards by adding bark mulch, Screen hardwood floors. Screening cuts dust, time
DERBY 2011 bushes and flowers, and ensuring current plants and expense. Lightly sand, then a coat of finish.
4-18 Pro-Am Golf Tour 12 pm and grass are well-cared for and manicured. Clean, organize closets. Get Sorting! Closets should be
Cost: $540 Estimated return: $1,932 half full so buyers can visualize fitting their stuff in.
4-28 / 5-6 Chow Wagon Update window treatments. Buyers want light and
Repair electrical or plumbing: Repair any leaks views.
4-28 / 4-30 Great BalloonFest under the bathroom or kitchen sinks, remove any Hire a home inspector. Fix problems before you list
4-30 Mini Marathon 7:30 am mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good the home and then display receipts.
5-3 Run for the Rosé 11:30 am
5-3 Derby Festival Ramble
for the Roses 6 pm
Louisville Real Estate
Year to Date at a Glance 2011
UPDATE
Sales by Price Range-Single Family Residential & Condo March 2011
5-3 / 5-4 Derby Festival Residential Sales Stats Single Family Residential & Condo
Price Range Statistics 2010 2011 % Change
WineFest 5 pm-9 pm March 09 March 10 March 11
Up to $199,999 1,733 1,632 ‐5.8%
5-4 Great Steamboat Race 6 pm Houses Sold 808 990 891
$200,000‐$399,999 520 440 ‐15.4% Avg. Selling Price $141,677 $157,639 $152,801
5-5 Pegasus Parade 5 pm
$400,000‐$599,999 51 63 +23.5% March 2011
5-6 Kentucky Oaks Unit Sales Single Family Residential & Condo
$600,000‐$999,999 20 26 +30.0%
5-7 Kentucky Derby
$1,000,000 + 4 3 ‐25%
Total 2,328 2,164 ‐7%
YTD/Glance 1/1-3/31 2009 1/1-3/31 2010 1/1-3/31 2011
Houses Sold 1966 2335 2162
ALL THE WAY HOME...425-0225 Avg. Selling Price $148,218 $157,559 $153,416
Don’t forget, the time period to appeal
your 2010 property assessment begins April 12
and ends May 17. Call me if you would like help
with the process.
Interest Rates
Fixed 30 Year 4.865%
Fixed 15 Year 4.75%
Fixed FHA 30 Year 4.75 %
Fixed 30 Year Jumbo 5.5 %
Fixed 15 Year Jumbo 4.125 %
*restrictions apply.
This is not intended to solicit a currently listed property. Information
is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
Small, Inexpensive Improvements for Kitchens & Baths Hot Stuff!
Cabinets large plated glass mirror or old medicine cabinet and “what’s in”
You don’t need to spend the big bucks for new cabinetry. replacing it with a framed mirror in a rich finish like
A reduced carbon footprint:
As long as the cabinets are in good condition, you can oil-rubbed bronze, can make a big change at a small
cost. How your home and you
update their look for under $250. New cabinet knobs
or handles can instantly upgrade a kitchen. Brushed Surfaces impact the earth matters to
nickel hardware looks high-end. Avoid dated brass It’s not easy to sell a pink or pea-green tub, and it’s more buyers.
knobs. For outdated cabinets painting them a neutral pricey to replace it. Two national franchises, Miracle Outdoor living: Massive
color or refinishing the cabinets with a clear coat can Method and Permaglase, can refinish porcelain, fiber- fireplaces, outdoor kitchens
greatly enhance their appearance. glass, and acrylic, among others, and repair cracks to and under-patio heating to
Counters make the material look new. extend the season.
Granite is still king when it comes to countertops. The Appliances Fully concealed appliances:
price of granite has dropped considerably, but if granite Kitchen appliances that are mismatched or dated can Appliances are hidden
still doesn’t fit your budget, you may be able to get the be difficult for buyers to look past. As long as the behind hinged doors.
look for less with updated laminates that resemble appliances still work, an increasingly popular option Floating homes: Ranch
granite, or by enhancing the look of the countertops is painting them. Several companies make special houses sitting on stationary
you have. paint to spray or brush over appliances in black, white, barges in a lake or river.
Fixtures or other shades. Stainless steel paint will give a Home elevators: for boomers
Instantly make a dated bathroom more modern with refrigerator, dishwasher, or range a brushed on look. wanting to age in place.
just a few enhancements to the fixtures. Removing that By Melissa Dittmann Tracey Pet showers: in garages or
mudrooms
Spring Cleaning Checklist FEATURED PROPERTY
Freestanding bathtubs:
“bath thrones” for soaking
Let the sun in. Make any room look brighter with clean
blinds and windows. (Washing on a cloudy day reduces are replacing whirlpool tubs.
streaking.) Bathroom suites: including
Sniff out smells. Check the drip tray underneath your flat screen TV’s , mini fridges
refrigerator and wash out any standing water from and cappuccino makers.
defrosting. Remove inside odors by washing the inside Earth tones: blues and blue
of the fridge with a baking soda and water solution. Boil greens, chocolate browns.
lemon juice in your microwave and add it to your dish- International influence:
washer to eliminate bad smells. Also, put the lemon especially Asian design in
rinds down the disposal. both décor and products.
Make your bed better. Vacuum mattresses and box
springs, and then rotate and flip over. Do the same for
removable furniture cushions. This is also a great time to Showing Tips
wash or dry-clean the dust ruffle and mattress pad. Replace heavy drapes with
Clean those coils. Improve energy efficiency by sheers during warm months.
vacuuming grates, coils, and condensers in your Freshen fridge with cotton
furnace, stove, and refrigerator. balls soaked in vanilla or
Wash the walls. Grease, smoke, and dust can adhere to orange juice.
walls and make even the best decorating look dingy. Shut some air conditioning
Wash walls using a general-purpose cleaner with hot vents on first floor to cool
water. Start at the top of the wall to avoid drips and in a
2nd floor. Reverse in winter.
corner so that you wash one wall at a time.
