While you’re reflecting on the past year and making plans for the new one, remember that home is where the heart is. If you’re a San Francisco homeowner (or thinking of becoming one), don’t overlook your home when you’re making your New Year’s resolutions for 2017. Now is a better time than ever to plan ahead for home improvement projects, to take stock of any changes you’d like to make, to start researching the home selling process if you’re wanting to list your home in 2017, or to start the search for your dream home if you’ve decided to buy.
Below are five New Year’s resolutions for San Francisco homeowners for 2017 from top real estate agent Danielle Lazier :: SFhotlist Team and Compass San Francisco.
Now that 2016 has come to a close, you should have a good idea on how much you spent on your home during the past year. Taking stock on how much you spent on regular maintenance, small home improvement projects, and any upgrades will help you determine your budget for 2017 home expenditures.
Major home replacements and improvements — such as fixing the roof, painting, and redoing the flooring — come up every few years. Accessing your home finances and planning a yearly budget will help you account for any unforeseen projects and will reduce the risk of overspending.
How long have you been wanting to repaint the living room or invest in central heating or get a new front door? After you’ve determined your yearly budget, pick a home improvement project you can afford and follow through.
This is particularly important if you’re a San Francisco homeowner who’s thinking about selling within the next couple of years. Rather than having to make the upgrades and improvements all at once right before you sell, get a head start by spacing the projects out. Tackle any major repairs and start planning for the bigger projects that you know are coming. Then when it comes time to sell your home, the process will feel less stressful and time consuming since a lot of the home improvement work will have already been completed.
Speaking of home improvement projects, anytime is a good time to invest in curb appeal. Landscaping and gardening can be more time consuming than one would think. Additionally, curb appeal includes updating your home’s exterior and outdoor accents. This could range from a new coat of paint to a complete upheaval of your front garden.
The curb appeal of your home is the first thing guests (including homebuyers) will take into account upon visiting your home. Make a good first impression! Investing in curb appeal now will give you time to fully enjoy your home and will also save you time for when you decide to sell.
San Francisco is an eco-conscious city and San Francisco homeowners are no exception. When you’re planning any home projects, keep the environment (and your health) in mind. Consider low-VOC paints, reduce electricity and gas usage by sealing and insulating your ductwork, invest in energy saving appliances, install low-flow toilets and shower heads, and switch to eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
Becoming a more eco-friendly San Francisco homeowner will also increase the selling potential of your home. Many San Francisco homebuyers are just as eco-conscious as the rest of the city’s residents and therefore any eco-friendly qualities about your home will be good selling points.
Regardless of whether or not you are planning on selling your home, understanding the real estate market is always a plus as a San Francisco homeowner. Has your home increase in value? You may discover that your home equity has increased. Determining this can help you make plans for when you want to sell in the future. Or maybe you were thinking about selling in two years, but the market is hot right now and selling in one year would be a better option.
If you’re a San Francisco homebuyer or homeseller, it is critical to understand the San Francisco real estate market if you want to find a house that is within your budget or get the best return on your real estate investment. Whichever is the case, working with a qualified and experienced San Francisco real estate agent will help you best plan your course of action.
Are you looking to buy or sell a home in San Francisco in 2017? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Danielle Lazier :: SFhotlist Team and Compass San Francisco to see how we can help!
