If you’re planning on selling your home within the next year or so, you’ve probably already started thinking about the best ways to increase its value. But if you’re not an experienced home flipper or contractor, it can be tricky to know which projects are worth it and which simply aren’t.

To save you time and money (and a lot of hassle), here are some home improvement projects that just aren’t worth it (and what you can do instead).

Replacing Old Cabinets

Depending on what kind of cabinet material you choose, you could be looking at an estimate anywhere between $1,000 to over $9,000 to completely replace your kitchen cabinets. Materials like laminate are certainly less expensive, but prices on real wood can quickly skyrocket.

As an alternative to completely re-doing your cabinets, you might consider sanding them down and re-staining them yourself (or painting, if they’re laminate) to give them an upgraded appearance.

Extensive Master Bathroom Remodel

Sure, there are plenty of homeowners dreaming of a spa-like master bathroom, but with a bathroom remodel averaging anywhere from $5,000 to over $14,000, it’s probably not worth it.

Instead of dropping thousands of dollars into a complete overhaul, consider some smaller upgrades that can still significantly boost your value. You can give your bathroom a much-needed uplift simply by replacing old sink fixtures, re-caulking the tub and shower, or adding in a stylish backsplash.

Adding on a Room

The national average for building an additional room on to your home is $42,000. And even with the added square footage, there’s no guarantee it will add much (or any!) resale value to your home. How badly do you need that extra room?

A more worthwhile alternative might be removing or adding a wall to create more space (or another room) without increasing the square footage. Another option is to add a deck, which typically costs only around $6,000 and adds desirable outdoor entertaining space (which has been shown to positively affect home values).

Get More Money From Your Home Sale

With so many home improvement options, it can be tough to decide which ones are best for adding resale value to your property. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced Realtor to sell your home.

If you’re interested in selling your home, or simply want to chat about your real estate plans, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We would love to assist you in making your real estate goals a reality.

Sugar Land, TX is a popular destination for a variety reasons–good schools, amazing properties, and incredible convenience to Houston. With so many great options out there, where do you even start your home search? Look no further! These four properties were hand picked by Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Karla Arjona for their stunning features that you’re sure to love!

4203 Amersham Way

Spacious, luxurious, and recently updated, you won’t believe how incredible this property is! Outfitted with only the most modern amenities, hardwood flooring, wide open windows that allow for plenty of natural lighting, and an enormous kitchen make this property anyone’s dream home.

If the indoor amenities don’t impress you, the backyard definitely will! Landscaped as a backyard oasis, 4203 Amersham Way features an incredible pool complete with jacuzzi area. Perfect for entertaining, the backyard area also includes a covered area for grilling.

The cherry on top for this impressive home is its location! Enjoy luxury living in this top rated and sought-after location within the Fort Bend ISD and Commonwealth!

3511 Meadow Spring Drive

Every day becomes a vacation living in this incredible property. With a sizable game room, double staircase, and granite countertops, it’s hard to deny that there’s something special about this home.

3511 Meadow Spring Drive is perfect for any home-hunters seeking a beautiful blend of privacy and wooded yard space. Trees in the backyard allow for privacy (maybe? Not professionally landscaped ), this homes most stand-out feature is the full sized pool that throttles this home over the edge into luxurious living territory.

Paired with its incredible location, this home also enjoys access to the incredible schools offered by Fort Bend ISD, making it highly desirable for those looking to settle down.

1127 Ivyvine Ct

1127 Ivyvine Ct is a suburban Sugar Land dream! The modern kitchen and entertaining spaces will have your guests amazed, as well as the plantation shutters and dark laminate floors on the first floor.

Create your own relaxing haven by taking advantage of this property’s backyard oasis. Complete with saltwater pool and hot tub, you’ll find excuses to simply unwind at home. Lush landscaping compliments the wooded lot, providing much desired seclusion for this private escape.

1127 Ivyvine Ct is zoned for the high performing Brazos Bend Elementary and Sartartia Middle Schools. Known for providing access to amazing educational resources, these schools are regionally acclaimed for creating educational excellence

13643 Schumann Trail

The great composer Robert Schumann was best known for his idyllic and playful music, and this listing on a street named after him is no different. Enjoy a private retreat that seems far removed from the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life without forfeiting the convenience of the city.

Entertaining is a joy in this home! The house itself is pre-wired for sound inside and out, creating endless possibilities for entertainment options. The media room and game room are perfect for hosting, and make it easy to create memories guests.

The backyard pool is the piece de resistance of this home, with a beautiful patio surrounding a sizable swimming area. Imagine ending your days barbecuing with friends while watching the sunset reflection over the pool. It could be a reality at 13643 Schumann Trail.

Like What You See?

Did one of these incredible properties catch your eye? Contact Karla Arjona, a Sugar Land Expert and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist at 832-455-5648 to learn more about the community, one of these properties, or the Sugar Land, TX real estate market at large!

Karla Arjona earns internationally recognized designation

SUGAR LAND, TX, June 30th, 2018 – Karla Arjona with Coldwell Banker United Realtors in Sugar Land recently earned The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing’s Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS) designation in recognition of experience, knowledge, and expertise in high-end residential properties. Arjona joins an exclusive group of real estate professionals who have completed The Institute’s training and have a proven performance in the upper-tier market.

“Agents who have earned the CLHMA designation are performing at the highest level in their community,” said Diane Hartley, president of The Institute. “The CLHMS seal is a symbol of distinction. Affluent buyers and sellers from around the world look for this symbol of luxury home knowledge and expertise when putting their trust in a real estate professional.”

The specialized training and ongoing membership with The Institute provide Arjona with the knowledge and tools to better serve clients. The CLHMS designation provides evidence of the successful commitment to service at the highest level.

Karla Arjona has been in real estate since 2008 and specializes in Houston Southwest. She has been a top producer in her office for the last 5 years and is the #1 listing agent in her office in 2017.

For more information about the luxury market in Sugar Land, contact Karla Arjona with Coldwell Banker United Realtors at 827-455-5648 or karla@karlaarjona.com

If you’re actively looking for a new home to buy, it may be tempting to try and do it yourself, without a Realtor. After all, the agent isn’t really working for you, right?

There’s a common misconception that real estate agents are only working for sellers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!

When you’re buying a home, a real estate agent can help you make the right financial decision while maintaining your sanity.

Real estate agents live and breathe real estate, so they know how to navigate the market unlike anyone else.

The Right Buyers Agent Will Make All the Difference

An experienced Buyer’s Agent will keep you on top of the market, show you hard-to-find homes for sale, negotiate your buying terms, handle the bulk of your paperwork, and more. And it won’t cost you a penny!

In fact, here are the 4 things real estate agents do to eliminate stress from your home-buying process.

Help You Find the Right Home

You don’t have to spend hours on Zillow wading through thousands of home listings in your area. Need a home with 2,000 square feet, at least two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a large backyard? Tell your Realtor!

Using your guidelines, they’ll provide you with a list of homes that meet your needs. Realtors have access to many homes that are not actively advertised on public sites like Zillow or Trulia.

Negotiate the Terms of Your Contract

In general, Realtors handle the bulk of the paperwork details so you don’t have to!

Contract negotiations are just one example of where it really pays off to have an experienced agent on your side. An experienced agent knows the rules and regulations of buying a home, so they’ll be able to negotiate a contract with the seller to ensure the best terms for you.

Prioritize Your Financial Wellbeing

When you enter into an agreement with a real estate agent, their job is to help you build your new investment in a smart way that ultimately protects your money and your interests.

Their obligation is to helping you decide whether a potential home will be a good, and affordable, financial investment for you.

In short, their primary responsibility is to protect you and your finances.

Answer All Your Questions

Let’s be real, buying a home is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll ever make! Naturally, you’re bound to have a couple of questions — both before and after the close.

Your Realtor will be there to clear things up, every step of the way.

Ready to Find Your Dream Home?

So are we. If you’d like help finding the perfect home, please give us a call.

We’re here to make your life, and your home purchase, as easy and stress-free as possible. Feel free to reach out to us so we can get started!