Date Archives: October 2022

Home Renovations That Offer the Best ROI for Resale

The following is a guest post by GUSTAVO GONZALEZ, Senior Manager of Content and Multimedia at Coldwell Banker Real Estate, LLC

Looking to make some upgrades and wondering which will have the biggest payoff? If you guessed kitchen and bathrooms, you're spot on. Another good one is landscaping. Whether they're big or small, a few upgrades can pay big dividends when it's time to sell your home. Follow these tips to prioritize and put more money in your pocket when you're ready to sell.

Before you do anything, make sure you consider the value of your house, the neighborhood, the housing market where you live, and how soon you will sell after you make the improvements. If you live in a neighborhood where properties are selling for $300,000, doing a $150,000 renovation may not add as much to your property value as you might think.

Kitchens and Baths
One thing to keep in mind is that just because a remodel is expensive doesn't necessarily mean it will give you the best return on investment. Even minor updates can yield a big return. Consider painting, refinishing surfaces, and upgrading appliances, which can lead to a big payout.

Sticking to a budget is always important, and keep in mind that an average, medium-sized kitchen remodel can cost between $20,000 – $50,000, while the average bathroom remodel is $10,000. In most cases, homeowners see a return of 100% or more with a kitchen or bath remodel, so it's definitely worth the investment. Plus, you get to live in a beautiful new space.

A Finished Basement
If finishing your basement is something you've been putting off, now might be the perfect time. According to cost versus value surveys conducted annually by Remodeling magazine, "The average return on investment for a basement project is around 75 cents on the dollar. Besides the financial gains, refinishing a basement will add new functionality to your home: more bedrooms, more efficient storage, and more space for entertaining." Seems like a sure-fire win, win.

Add Curb Appeal
When buyers see that the outside of the property is taken care of, they'll be more excited to see the inside. Remember, first impressions make lasting impressions. According to Anji, "Curb appeal can increase your home value by 7%. Buyers are increasingly prioritizing outdoor living spaces and an attractive lawn has the biggest ROI at 256%. Trees can add $1,000 to $10,000 to your home value and simple landscape maintenance tasks usually pay for themselves."

Whether you're in the market to sell your home or just want to make some budget-friendly renovations that you and your family can enjoy, making the right upgrades can help enhance your quality of life and add a few more dollars to your bank account down the road.

Fall is in full swing, and our real estate agents are thrilled to report that there's still plenty of interest in Spokane homes for sale. There are homes in the area to suit every taste and budget, but that's not all.

If you're exploring the region and want a true taste of what Spokane is all about, you can't go wrong with a visit to local farms. Orchards offering the opportunity to pick your own fruit are a beloved sight here in Greater Spokane, and it's not too late to see them for yourself.

Although we're in the waning days of the season, there are many different varieties of fruit that come into their own only in the last weeks of October. Let's take a closer look at just a few of your many options:

• Wildland Cooperative – 8022 East Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005
  Wildland Cooperative is a worker-owned farm co-op providing seasonal fresh produce, farm goods, and crafts, as well as a place to gather as a community. Open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., it's the place to see both a market and a tap house featuring local, handcrafted wine and beer. Almost all of the drinks menu is available on tap and to-go, including non-alcoholic beverages.
  
  
• Walters' Fruit Ranch – 9807 East Day Road, Mead, WA 99021
  Walters' Fruit Ranch sits in a convenient location right at the heart of Green Bluff, so you won't have to journey far from Mead homes for sale. It's not too late to join in the Ranch's October Fall Festival, which runs every weekend throughout the month. Pick your own apples and pumpkins while the young ones participate or romp in the play area, then grab a meal at the outside Press Plate Bar or Orchard Cafe.
  
  
• High Country Orchard – 8518 East Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005
  High Country Orchard is a unique "high point" near Colbert homes for sale. Open every Tuesday through Sunday, with expanded hours on the weekend, it is a farm and wedding venue that always has something new going on. The "U-Pick Orchard" has peaches in September and the full fall harvest of apples all October. Enjoy hay rides, caramel apples, freshly baked pumpkin donuts, and so much more.
  
  
• Big Barn Brewing – 16004 North Applewood Lane, Mead, WA 99021
  With a history dating back to 1999, Big Barn Brewing is found in the foothills of Mt. Spokane. Known for its "Bodacious Berries at the Barn," its beers stand out for their scientific precision and the use of locally sourced ingredients. They are open every week from Wednesday through Sunday. Food trucks, farmer's markets, and music festivals happen on a regular basis over the weekends.
  
  
• Sunset Orchard on Green Bluff – 8110 East Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005
  Sunset Orchard on Green Bluff grants you a wonderful opportunity to source fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, or even Christmas trees. Many of the trees are more than a century old, and the last of the fall harvest awaits you now: In fact, Granny Smith apples are at their peak in the final days of October, along with Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Spartan, and Rome Beauty.

Contact us to discover more about real estate opportunities in and around the Spokane area.

It's Time to Get Ready for Fall

Delta Media Group

Fall is the perfect time of the year to do seasonal maintenance to keep your home running smoothly. Checking these items off your must-do list now will save you money and frustration later.

1. Seal the leaks.
   Check around windows and doors for cracks that leak air. According to the U.S. Department of Energy Research, leaks can increase your heating bill by up to 10 percent. Seal the leaks with caulk or weather stripping as needed.
   
   
2. Schedule heating equipment inspections.
   Call an HVAC professional to give your furnace an annual cleaning and tune-up. Doing this can increase the efficiency and safety of your furnace.
   
   
3. Test the generator.
   Instead of waiting for the winter's first power outage, take your emergency generator for a test run now. Make sure you have extra fuel stored away.
   
   
4. Inspect your home's exterior.
   A damaged exterior lets in water and pests. Check your siding for cracks, curling, dents, looseness, bowing, and decay. Make sure your masonry veneer isn't cracking or flaking, and your stucco is free from cracks.
   
   
5. Clean the gutters.
   Although it's among the most common home maintenance tips, this one has greater benefits than you might imagine. Blocked gutters can cause leaks on your roof and in your basement as well as damage your exterior. Scoop leaves, dirt, and other debris from the gutters then spray them clean. As you clean, check for leaks and rust. Make sure your downspouts are directed away from your home.
   
   
6. Check your roof.
   Damage to your roof puts your home at risk for leaks. Use binoculars or climb onto the roof to inspect for missing, damaged, curled, or loose shingles. Look the ridge shingles over for wind damage. The metal flashing in the roof valleys and around protrusions such as vents should be free from curling and damage.
   
   
7. Inspect your walkways.
   Damaged driveways, sidewalks, and steps worsen when exposed to freezing temperatures and pose a hazard in icy conditions. Repair cracks wider than 1/8th inch, smooth uneven areas, and tighten loose railings.
   
   
8. Prevent frozen pipes.
   Adding insulation to pipes in unheated areas is one of those simple home maintenance tips that can save you a lot of trouble and expense. Outdoors, put your garden hoses in storage and, if your outdoor faucets aren't frost-free, turn off your outdoor water supply and drain the faucets. Drain your irrigation system to prevent burst pipes and damaged sprinkler heads.
   
   
9. Measure your foundation drainage.
   The ground around your foundation should slope away from your home at an angle of 6 inches down over 10 feet. This protects your foundation from water damage.
   
   
10. Get the lawn and garden ready.
    If you spot any tree limbs that could fall or hit power lines during a windstorm, cut them back. Also, trim shrubbery and perennials as recommended for the species. Rake up leaves and either compost them or use them as mulch. Alternatively, check if your city offers a removal service.

It's no trick, there are plenty of treats to enjoy in the Spokane area with fun Halloween themes! Enjoy music, movies, and mayhem aplenty at these exciting Halloween events near Spokane homes for sale. 

• The Music of Harry Potter and Other Halloween Favorites - Spokane Symphony, Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane, WA 99210
  Halloween wouldn't be complete without the most famous wizard of all. Enjoy the musical sounds of the holiday when the Seattle Symphony performs The Music of Harry Potter and Other Halloween Favorites. The Art Deco-style Martin Woldson Theater, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, provides an appropriate ambiance. Arrive early for some fun activities in the lobby. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 on Saturday, October 29, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30. Tickets are $25-$64.
  
  
• Fright Flight - Mica Moon, 23403 E. Mission Ave., Suite 111, Liberty Lake, WA 99019
  Are you ready to take on the challenge of Mica Moon's Fright Flight? The zip line course literally starts at the "Point of No Return" as you soar hundreds of feet above the darkened woods. Watch out for bootleggers, who protect their secret location at any cost. As you finish with the 3,700-foot section named "Big Mama," you'll forget that you're just minutes from Liberty Lake homes for sale. Tickets are $79 for the three-hour course. Visit the website for the schedule, which runs weekends through the end of October.
  
  
• Halloween at the Garland Theater - 924 W. Garland Ave., Spokane, WA 99205
  Filmmakers have always loved a good scare. For some great on-screen thrills, don't miss Halloween at the Garland Theater. Throughout October, the theater will be showing classic horror films, including Psycho (10/19), Get Out (10/21), and The Shining (10/26), concluding with a midnight showing of the iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show (10/29). Family fare is also on the schedule, with E.T. (10/18), Casper (10/24), and Beetlejuice (10/29). Tickets are $5. Visit the website for the full schedule.
  
  
• Haunted Downtown Spokane Walking Tour - Post Street Bridge, W. North River Dr., Spokane, WA 99201
  Do you believe in ghosts? If not, the Haunted Downtown Spokane Walking Tour may change your outlook. Staff members at the Spokane Public Library put together this list of the (un)lucky 13 downtown locations known for supernatural activity. Highlights include The Old Spaghetti Factory, where ghostly rum runners inhabit the former liquor warehouse, and the Davenport Hotel, which is said to be haunted by the doorman who stood watch at the Prohibition-era Early Bird Club. Even the Carnegie Library is rumored to be the home of the building's first librarian, with reports of his bespectacled face appearing in the windows.
  
  
• Unit 55 Horror Games - 9922 E. Montgomery Ave., Suite 33, Spokane Valley, WA 99206
  Escape rooms have become a popular activity for any occasion, but they take on a whole new dimension at Unit 55 Horror Games. Located not far from Spokane Valley homes for sale, Unit 55 is described as "part escape room, part haunted house, and part immersive theatrical experience." Star in your own 60-minute horror film as you complete games and puzzles to escape from the nightmare. Admission is based on the number of people in the group. Visit the website to make a reservation.

Our real estate agents offer treats, not tricks. If you're buying or selling a home in Spokane, contact us at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson to learn more.

View our comprehensive Spokane real estate market report for the month of September!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Download the September Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent. 

View our comprehensive Kootenai Country real estate market report for the month of September!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Download the September Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent. 

Curb Appeal Tips for Fall

Delta Media Group

First impressions are everything when it comes to selling your house.  When a potential home buyer drives by your home, what will they see?  The outside of your home should serve as a preview for the inside of your home.

"WOW" home buyers from the curb with these tips perfect for the fall. 

1. Spruce up your lawn
   Brilliant fall foliage can automatically "sell" your home for showings, but that doesn't mean you should forget about raking the leaves and mowing.  Keep those leaves raked and give your lawn the TLC it needs to look great. Patch any brown spots, and water the lawn as long as possible to keep it green and vibrant.

2. Plant fall flowers
   Once lawn maintenance is handled, add a splash of color to your landscape by planting fall flowers.  Some of the best fall flowers include vibrant mums, yellow marigolds, sedum, or goldenrod.  You can also place fall flowers in pots near your front door along with a few pumpkins as accents.

3. Highlight the front door
   Calling attention to your front door is a good selling tactic no matter what season when you're selling your house.  Your front door is like an invitation to your home. Hang a fall wreath for added color and a festive touch.  A fresh coat of paint in a vivid color can make your entrance stand out.

4. Tidy up the exterior
   During the fall, your home becomes more exposed making its exterior appearance even more important.  Before listing your home for sale, pressure wash your siding, sidewalks, and walkways.  Clean the windows.  Apply a fresh coat of paint as needed.

5. Clear out the gutters
   Being diligent about home maintenance tells buyers you care about your home's upkeep.  Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear from leaves and debris protects your home from water damage and ups the ante for curb appeal.

6. Invest in outdoor lighting
   Days get shorter during the fall.  Exterior light adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your landscape and improves safety. Illuminate your walkways, front door, and important landscaping elements so the home shines no matter when people drive by.

7. Keep outdoor decorations simple
   A simple fall wreath on the door and seasonal flowers make your home look inviting to potential homebuyers.  However, scarecrows and spooky Halloween decorations may "scare off" homebuyers and distract them from the gorgeous exterior you've worked so hard to otherwise create.