There’s been plenty of transformations over at the DeVries’ Abode these last couple of months. I’m excited to start sharing what we’ve been up to with you all! When purchasing a home with projects, here 3 things that help immensely… Create a Green/Red/Yellow-light spreadsheet - keep track of everything you want to do and purchase, in order of priority. 🟢GREEN = Get these done right away (ie. refinishing hardwood floors before moving in) 🟡YELLOW = Projects that can be done after moving in (ie. updating light fixtures) 🔴RED = In a perfect world, these items would get done (ie. replacing aging HVAC). Be sure to indicate if you want each project done before or after moving in, estimated cost (do you have a total budget? It’s EASY to become the VIP at your local home improvement store when purchasing a new home), and who will do the work (DIY or hire a professional). Do the projects you want ASAP! Why? Most people don’t get around to fixing up that bath or kitchen until it’s time to sell. I get it, life gets busy! And those ugly countertops eventually fade into the background. And when it’s time to sell, it’s very possible you’ll need to do some of those projects in order for us to sell for top dollar. Do them early, when budget and time allows, so you’ll be able to enjoy your improvements while also allowing your ROI (return on investment) to increase over time. Real estate always appreciates over the long-run. Important Note: Keep in mind your home’s threshold of value when deciding on projects.💰 Avoid over-improving. For example, adding crystal wallpaper and imported marble to your master bath is not going to offer the same ROI in your $300,000 home like it would in a $10M home. Ever heard of law of diminishing returns? (Remember, I've got that statistics degree). 📞Reach out to me if you aren’t sure how to navigate this. There’s an excellent Cost vs. Value report I can share and I’m happy to help! Know your limits - know which projects to DIY and which to hire a professional for. 🔧Those DIY home tv shows certainly make things look easy. I mean, do they ever actually explain how these young couples are actually financially qualified to purchase a $600,000 home? Especially when one is a cartoon artist and their spouse is a part-time substitute teacher. Nope! ✨It’s the magic of tv. Don’t get too defeated when chalk paint doesn’t go quite as planned while trying to give new life to that piece of furniture. We all have our strengths. Focus on those. If you have to watch more than one Youtube video to figure something out, it may be best to trust the professionals. 😉 And most importantly, enjoy the process! Take before and after pictures so you can document the progress. Once everything is “done,” it’s easy to forget where it all began (but let’s be real, it’s never completely done...amiright?). Also realize that no one is going to appreciate it quite as much as you will. So make it fun and remind yourself of how far you’ve come. There’s a balance of improving your home for YOUR enjoyment and also for RESALE value. Perhaps you want to turn your living room into a goat pen. I’d say that’s a bad idea for resale. But maybe you would REALLY enjoy that goat pen...and your happiness is also important.🐐❌ Curious what projects will help increase your home’s value? Let’s talk! Stay tuned for the next blog post all about our backyard oasis project. Yours to count on, Jessica DeVries