16 URBAN HOME CHARLOTTE APRIL / MAY 2014

Contributing Editor | Building a Better Home

TRENT HASTON

After

As we all know, Charlotte’s real estate market, like the rest of the country, took a hit over the past few years. I suggest that 2014 is the year of the comeback! In my opinion, some of the hottest neighborhoods, based on the strength of their real estate markets, are Eastover, Myers Park, Foxcroft, Dilworth, Southpark (to include several neighborhoods), Plaza Midwood, Southend and now Center City (among others). The home val-ues and real estate liquidity in these neighborhoods has returned with a vengeance as we roll into 2014. As recently as 2010, I recall hearing many of our repeat customers in these neighborhoods say they “thought they would never regain the investment that they had put into their homes earlier in the 2000s.” It seems now that they have surpassed a breakeven return on their investment from earlier as evidenced by many of these customers selling their existing homes in quick fashion, and purchas-ing new homes as open palettes for custom remod-eling and renovations. If now is the time to sell your existing home and capitalize on the momentum-gaining economy, here is my number one tip for selling your home:

Skip the larger high-dollar renovations and stick with glorified “handyman” remodels. Most buyers in the high-end home market want to put their own stamp on the house by doing large projects once they purchase. They like to start with a blank canvas, so don’t bother with large-scale projects that will force you to raise the sale price, and that likely, the buyer won’t like anyway. I remember reading Warren Buffett’s shareholder letter from a few years ago and he spoke of selling a used car. He offered advice, saying that a relatively small investment in the range of eight hours worth of elbow grease and several hundred dollars can return a much quicker sale for thousands more dollars. The same is true for your home. Warren didn’t suggest rebuilding the engine or revamping the body or interior. Just show that the vehicle has been well taken care of during your ownership.

Here are some wise projects to try before putting your home on the market:

• Clean and pressure-wash the home’s exterior and touch up paint as needed for curb appeal

• Invest in hardscapes and plantings

• Replace door hardware with updated styles in impressionable spots such as the front door, kitchen cabinets and master bedroom

• Refinish hardwoods. Everyone loves to examine hardwoods when they enter the home, and when they look nice, it sets the stage for the rest of the home

• If the home does not have hardwoods, consider replacing dated tile flooring or carpets with hardwoods, newer tile or stone, or popular products like cork or bamboo in visible areas like front entrances, mudrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms

• Thoroughly clean or even replace kitchen appliances to update and freshen the space

• Consider upgrading the kitchen countertops and backsplash. Choose an economical option like granite or stone

• Replace older light fixtures with updated ones or add recessed cans or accent lights

Understand that these cosmetic upgrades to ready your home for sale should not be emotional, but business decisions. Do just enough to give a buyer inspiration, and give you a good return on your investment. Not to mention, a quick sell. A new buyer is likely to build on what you’ve completed on their way to a larger home remodel.

Trent Haston is CEO of Andrew Roby and has spent many years in project management, focusing on style and craftsmanship for custom home projects. For more information call 704-334-5477 or visit www.an-drewroby.com.

Upgrades to ready

your home for sale

should not be emotional,

but business decisions.

Do just enough to give

a buyer inspiration,

and give you a good

return on your investment.

Blank Canvas for Sale

APRIL / MAY 2014 URBAN HOME CHARLOTTE 17