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Remodeling Your Home in Albuquerque to Get the Most ROI

by Sandi Pressley

If you plan on selling your home in Albuquerque, one important question to ask is if your home is up to date or needs repairs.  A dated or worn down appearance can take away from the resale value.  However, the balance is that you want to avoid spending tons of money that won’t be recouped in the sale.  How do you decide what repairs or improvements are worth the investment? I f you come to the conclusion that your home needs improvements, then you need to pin down which ones will yield the highest returns.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking every improvement will increase the value of your home. Many projects will simply preserve the value, while others will help increase it.  So if you do those projects, the value won't be as adversely affected when you sell your home.

So to get down to it, what are the projects that get the highest ROI?

Outside Projects

Think about curb appeal. First impressions are lasting impressions as they say.  Basically any project that boosts curb appeal is worth the investment. Outside projects that can recoup the most money are garage door replacements, replacing a steel door entry, adding a wood deck, and siding and facade projects. Even if you just focus on the siding, it can improve the value of your home with minimal investment.

Kitchens and Baths

Potential buyers can spend the most time inspecting a kitchen and we all know why.  Many lives center around the kitchen and rely on its appliances. If your kitchen has the old yellow fridge and oven, they need to go. And don’t forget about the bathrooms.   They send a powerful message about your home, so you can expect a high ROI on a bathroom remodel.

The Little Things

Don’t have a lot of money to invest in a major remodel?  No problem. Focusing on the little things can also have a big impact on the resale value of your home. You can give your home a fresh coat of paint, trim trees and bushes, plant new bushes and landscaping. De-cluttering and cleaning your home only costs time. If you have an unfinished basement, you can put gray epoxy on the floor and paint the walls white. Never underestimate the power of improving the little things.

Every home is different, and so is every Albuquerque neighborhood. If you're not sure what improvements would be best to sell your home in Albuquerque, feel free to ask us. We know what sells a home in Albuquerque and what buyers are looking for.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

5243 Foothills Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM  $798,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 3156 Square Feet

Gated community of the Wilderness! Casual elegance abounds in this Scott Patrick Gold Package custom home. Tons of features include Oversized great room w/stacked stone fireplace, wall of windows! Gourmet kitchen has custom island, pantry, gas cooktop, custom cabinetry, Sub Zero fridge, Wolfe double oven. Private Master Suite on its own wing! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

What to Look For When Buying a Home

by Sandi Pressley

You’re buying your first home in Albuquerque and the excitement abounds.  But you have to be careful that all the excitement doesn’t cloud your vision.  It’s easy to see the exterior of a home and how much you like (or dislike it).  But you need to see the inside as well.  How was it maintained? What issues will come up when you buy the home? If you know these things in advance, you can save on expensive repairs in the future.

This is even more important as a first time buyer. First time buyers usually don’t have the experience to know what warning signs to look for in a home.  Hiring a home inspector will definitely help in this regard.  Here’s a list of warning signs to look for.

Foundation  

  • Look for cracks in the driveway, walls and sidewalks                                                                  
  • Are the floors, windows and doorways crooked or not level?                                                        
  • Are there large trees with roots near the foundation?
  • Do the inside doors jam or have gaps on the top of them?

Electrical

  • Are there any exposed wires?
  • Do the lights flicker?
  • Are outlets warm to the touch?
  • Are there any visible signs of electrical tape?
  • Look for flash burns near socket covers.

Roof

  • Look for missing or cracked shingles and significant wear and tear.
  • Are there mismatched materials or curled or warped shingles?

Plumbing

  • Do the faucets leak?
  • Are there water stains under the sinks or around toilet or tub
  • Check how the bath and sinks drain.
  • Do you smell foul odors near sinks?
  • Check the water pressure in sinks and bath.

Mold

  • Do you see any water stains on walls?
  • Is any mold visible?
  • Is there a musty smell?
  • Check for rotted wood around doors and windows.
  • Is the paint peeling?

Insects or Pests

  • Are there signs of termites and carpenter ants?
  • Are there ways for rodents to enter the house?
  • Is any exposed interior wood damaged?

Poor Workmanship

  • Do repairs look professional?
  • Do renovations look armature?
  • Are any tasks uncompleted?

Checking these items can go a long way to making sure you pay the right price for your first home and know more fully what you’re buying. Check back on our blog twice a week for more real estate advice and for local Albuquerque topics. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

8520 Hawk Eye Road NW, Albuquerque, NM  $260,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 3486 Square Feet

Incredible back yard perfect for entertaining family & friends, with Outdoor kitchen, built in grill, tile bar, flagstone open & covered patios, pergola, hot tub, fire pit, garden area, trees, and shrubs! Exceptional home with many custom upgrades including stacked stone accents, light fixtures, wrought iron stairway! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Celebrate Easter in Albuquerque With Sunday Brunch

by Sandi Pressley

Easter Brunch Specials in Albuquerque

Easter is coming up soon, so that means it time to think about how to spend the day on Sunday, April 1.  Why not start out the special day with a delicious brunch? The flavors of the Southwest are a great way to start a Sunday, even if you don’t celebrate the holiday. And many restaurants in Albuquerque are offering brunch specials for the holiday.  Here’s a few of the many great deals you’ll find for Easter Sunday brunch in Albuquerque. Make sure to make reservations as soon as possible as tables can fill up fast.

Council Room

Come to the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque for brunch favorites like French toast BLAST, pan-seared chicken breast, green chile meatloaf sandwich, grilled ham steak, salmon fillet, and prime rib au jus. You’ll start out the special brunch with garlic shrimp skewers, short ribs street tacos, and duck confit.

El Pinto

If local flavors are your idea of a great Sunday brunch, then El Pinto has a great brunch lined up for you. The brunch menu features Eggs Benedict with eggs and pork loin on a green chile biscuit with a red hollandaise sauce.  Or enjoy green chile cheese biscuits smothered in green chile white gravy with a side of chorizo.

Hotel Andaluz

In addition to a delicious brunch featuring pastries and muffins, fresh fruit, a paella station, steak and eggs, huevos Benedictos, crab, a crepe station, and goat cheesecake, you can have fun with an egg hunt and music from a New Mexico Marimba Band.

Pueblo Harvest Cafe

For you late risers, Pueblo Harvest Café is serving an all-day breakfast that includes scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage, along with entrees such as Pepper boneless short ribs, cod filets, slow-roasted pork loin, or carne adovada, along with a carving station with glazed ham, roast beef and assorted mustards and chutneys.

These are just a few of the many great ways you can spend Easter Sunday in Albuquerque.  Here’s a list of other restaurants offering Sunday brunch specials. Be sure to check back on our blog every week for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque. And follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

5005 General Bradley Street NE, Albuquerque, NM  $309,000

4 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 partial) / 2400 Square Feet

Fantastic NE Heights Location! Exceptionally well cared for home with great curb appeal, back yard pool, and views of the Sandias. Formal living room and a cozy Den that includes a wood burning stove insert, large eat-in kitchen includes NEW Stainless Steel appliances, plus a separate formal dining for those special occasions. Lots of built in storage throughout. 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

11 Steps to Buying Your First Home in Albuquerque

by Sandi Pressley

Are you ready to buy your first home in Albuquerque? Obviously, buying a home for the first time is a major life decision.  You will be investing a large amount of money and time in this adventure.  Do you know all the steps involved in the home buying process? It's important to know the steps along the journey and what tools are available.  You also need to forge relationships with experts in Albuquerque who can help you along the way.

Here are the 11 steps to living the dream of owning your first home.

  1. Do Your Homework
    Any large purchase requires planning, and that is particularly true with buying a home in Albuquerque. Factors such as price, housing type, neighborhood, school districts, and more need to be considered. Here's a worksheet that can help you pin down what you're really looking for. Fill it out with your partner (if you're not single) and your agent.  That way everyone is one the same page - literally.

  2. Start Shopping For Homes in Albuquerque
    Now that you know what you're looking for, start looking for listings online.  Here's a great tool for finding the ideal home in Albuquerque and surrounding communities.

  3. Find a Great Agent
    We're ready to help you find the perfect first home and help you through the process.

  4. Choose a Lender
    After you find the right agent, we can help you find the right mortgage lender. This is an important step as your lender will be working closely with you throughout the process.

  5. Pick a Loan
    Your lender will work with you to determine the right mortgage to fit your financial needs.  You'll need to provide proof of income, employment, and other details.

  6. Look at Homes
    Now comes the fun part! Your agent will help you find homes in in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas in New Mexico that fit your budget and the needs you determined in step 1.

  7. Make an Offer
    When you find the ideal home, then you make the offer.  Your agent will help you decide how much you want to pay, along with contingencies that both parties can agree on.

  8. Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate
    Now comes the time where you work out the deal for your new home in in Albuquerque.  It can be an emotional time, especially if you really want the house. Some sellers may just accept your offer, but some may make a counter-offer.  Your agent will work with you to decide what to do.

  9. Inspect the Home
    When an offer is accepted, then you'll sign a contract that will no doubt include a home inspection contingency.  At this point you'll hire a licensed home inspector to look for needed repairs. If major repairs are needed, then the seller will be asked to make those repairs.

  10. Appraisal
    Your lender needs to determine if the home is worth enough to cover the mortgage.

  11. Close the Deal
    The home is close to being yours! You just need to sign the final paperwork to finish the deal.  Then it's time to show off your new home to all your family and friends!

The Sandi Pressley Team has been helping people buy their first home in in Albuquerque for years. They can help you through all of these steps to guide you to owning your first home in in Albuquerque. You can call them at 505-980-2999. Your first home is only a few steps away!

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook!

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

210 Tornasol Lane NE, Albuquerque, NM  $450,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms (2 full, 0 partial) / 2573 Square Feet

The charms of North Valley country living only with a NE address! Impeccably maintained, one owner, custom built,TRUE Southwestern adobe home on 1/2 acre with RV parking! Escape to the beautiful backyard with raised bed garden with plum trees, shade trees, roses, solar wall and fire pit.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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Photo of The Sandi Pressley Team Real Estate
The Sandi Pressley Team
Coldwell Banker Legacy
10400 Academy Rd. NE Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87111
505-980-2999
505-263-2173 / 505 293-3700
Fax: 505-212-0729

Quick links to this site are also SandiSells.net or SandiSellsHomes.com