Get the Most Bang For Your Remodeling Buck!!

Not all upgrades are created equal. Here are the five home improvements that yield the highest returns!

1. Wood Flooring- Probably the most popular upgrade in recent years, swapping your downstairs tile and carpet mixture for hardwood will increase your home's interior appeal tenfold. In today's uber -competitive seller's market, this can be the difference between a bidding war and being overlooked entirely.

2. Entry Door Replacement- Replacing your stock front door with a steel model not only ups your home's curb appeal, it can also cut energy costs and provides 102.1% average payback when it's time to sell.

3. Kitchen Upgrades- Whether it's granite counter tops or state-of-the-art appliances, very few things turn a buyer's head like a fabulous kitchen. But be sure to consult your local real estate expert before upgrading. Kitchen trends are ever-evolving and it's important to what's "In" and what's "SO last year."

4. Master Bath Remodel- A luxurious master bath is every homeowner's dream. Be careful not to go overboard here. Overly personal installations can hurt resale value. Shower and floor re-tiling, adding a double-vanity, or swapping that old tub for a modern counterpart are some ideas that will appeal to the masses.

5. Wood Deck- With the long summer in Texas, having an outdoor escape can transform your backyard from wasted space into a major selling point. Not only will your home stand out among the competition, sellers can expect an average 90% return rate at the time of sale.

The Decision

A hush came over the crowd of assembled policy makers and media representatives September 18th as Fed Chairman Ben Bernake took the stage to announce, as reported for months prior, the tapering of the purchase of Treasury Bonds. A program the department has used as a way of  nursing the economy back to health.

Only he didn't.

Instead, the rumored $5-$40 billion monthly reduction in bond buying has been pushed back at least until the committee reconvenes in December.What does this mean for the real estate market? In the shadow of the announcement of the Fed's plans to taper buying, mortgage interest rates rose to a two-year high and refinances dropped 70% from the previous year. But in the wake of the hold-off, rates have dipped sharply to a 9-week low as of September 30th.

Those looking to buy can expect a reprieve from their anxiety over rates as they should remain competitive for the time being. This however, is positive news for sellers alike, with buyers no longer fearing getting priced out of this year's historically hot market, home values should keep from slipping as a result of depleted buying power.

While uncertainty remains as to the whens and ifs of the still-expected taper, for now homeowners and buyers alike will enjoy the atmospheric attributes that made this summer such a historic one in real estate. With the combination of comparatively low interest rates and equally low inventory, the metaphorical perfect storm is likely to continue into the coming year. But for homeowners looking for value appreciation over the next half-decade, only time will tell.

Fabulous Open House this Sunday from 2-5!

Come check out 2340 Briar Court Frisco, TX 75034! You won't be sorry!