Home renovations

Planning your home remodeling in San Diego for 2025? Homeowners who plan to sell their property or improve their living space should consider home remodeling projects as a valuable investment opportunity. Based on recent data, home repair costs have already risen to about 40%, which is above 2019 levels. You also need to take into consideration that some projects are more valuable than others and some do not provide you with the same return on your investment.

The 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, compiled by Zonda‘s expert team, offers valuable insights to help homeowners delve deeper and achieve the best return on investment (ROI).

Curb Appeal is King

Exterior improvements represent the most effective way to increase your home value. Exterior upgrades rank among the top ten projects that deliver the highest return on investment according to Zonda’s research.

Why? Because first impressions matter. Great curb appeal makes a home more noticeable and stands out in the market, which in turn leads to increased buyer interest and potentially sells for a higher price.

Zonda’s chief editor, Clay DeKorne, mentions that exterior replacement projects deliver the greatest return on investment for homeowners who want to increase their property’s resale value. The current market conditions we have today, along with higher mortgage interest rates, and homeowners who possess substantial equity in their homes, make these projects highly attractive because they provide exceptional ROI.

Cost vs. Value: National Average for Home Remodeling Projects

Based on Zonda’s research, below are some of the home remodeling projects that are ranked by their highest return on investment to homeowners.

Top 3 Remodeling Projects with the Highest ROI

The report reveals that this year’s highest ROI-generating projects are the “unsexy” ones, which attract buyers more than they do grab headlines. The top three projects on the list generate more than 100% ROI according to the data.

1. Garage Door Replacement: A new garage door generates an estimated 194% return on investment. The top-ranked project this year brings back nearly double the investment compared to previous years. A fresh garage door installation produces significant exterior design improvements, which increase property appeal to potential buyers.
2. Steel Entry Door Replacement: 188% ROI. Replacing or installing a steel front door provides both security benefits and an improved visual look for your house. The simple installation produces a major return on investment, and it might be worth a try from your end.
3. Manufactured Stone Veneer: 153% ROI. I’d say this is more prevalent on the East Coast, rather than in Southern California, where we see more of stucco and wood siding. Stone veneer installation for exterior home surfaces produces a luxurious and durable appearance that remains resilient in harsh weather. Homeowners find great value in this stylish upgrade, which also appeals to potential buyers.

Doors are a great place to start; it’s a small project but has a large impact.

“A new garage door or new entry door can make a pronounced difference,” says Todd Tomalak, principal of Zonda Advisory. “It could be the thing that makes one house stand out against all the others, making the home worth a higher price.”

The list of Zonda includes not only the glamorous upgrades but also some not-so-glamorous ones. The new roof, window replacement, and HVAC conversion were also included on Zonda’s list.

Key Takeaway

The data indicates that a luxurious kitchen remodel may not return as much value during resale. You don’t have to give up on a new kitchen, though! To maximize your return on investment, begin with exterior improvements and strategic interior updates.

How Your Home Can Pay You Back at Tax Time

Just because you share a wall doesn’t mean you have to share a style. Make the most of townhouse living with these DIY remodeling projects that won’t put you in the hole, presented to you below by the MCT Real Estate Group.

But first…

Before beginning any weekend warrior project, keep in mind that some things are best left to the pros. For instance, electrical and plumbing projects. According to the Spruce, the average cost to install electrical outlets, fixtures, or switches is between $141 and $419. Small electrical projects can take anywhere from a few minutes to four hours or more and require an in-depth knowledge of your home’s wiring system. Keep in mind that even a small electrical jolt is potentially lethal, so unless you have an electrician’s license, don’t try and save money here.

Many experts warn against putting on your own roof because you may injure yourself, insurance may not cover DIY repairs, and the costs can be astronomical. Instead, search for local roofing services online and read some reviews before getting a few quotes to find a qualified contractor to take care of your repairs.

Likewise, your home’s plumbing system is more intricate (and dangerous) than you might imagine. Even something as deceptively simple as draining your hot water heater can cause serious burns and extensive property damage if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Lastly, make sure you pay close attention to your expenses during this time. If you haven’t done so already, purchase bookkeeping software that can help you track every penny you spend. When you’re doing renovations on a budget, this type of software can be a lifesaver.

And now for the Townhouse fun

As This Old House notes, there are many simple and inexpensive projects that will set your space apart from the rest, and the Joneses will have to try to keep up with you. This list will walk you through some of these suggestions in more detail.

Crown molding

There’s something inviting about walking into a room lined with decorative molding. And, contrary to popular belief, it’s neither a difficult project nor does it require an arsenal of special tools. With a hand saw and nail gun, you can install crown molding in a 10’ x 10’ room in just a few hours of your time, and the supplies are inexpensive, too.

Stair runner

If you want to add a pop of color and depth, consider installing a carpet runner on the stairs. With very little skill and a few basic tools, including a utility knife and floor kicker, you can upgrade your vertical hallways in a single afternoon.

Tint the tile

Replacing tile floors is expensive, not to mention messy. Thankfully, durable floor paint is available. Bob Vila explains that almost all ceramic tiles can be painted, and, if applied correctly, the upgrade will look great for years to come. Vila suggests sticking with oil-based paints, which are less prone to chipping. Your design options are limited only by your imagination, and you can finish this project for a few hundred dollars over a long weekend.

Coat the cabinets

Chances are that your townhouse isn’t equipped with a large professional-grade kitchen. If replacement is out of your budget, you can paint the cabinets and countertops and swap out the hardware to completely transform even the grimmest galley. Amazingly, you can make the entire room feel many square feet larger by simply changing the color.

 Clear the air

While there are many benefits to living in an attached home, there are also a few drawbacks. Poor ventilation is one of them. Since your home is only open on two sides, the air quality may be lacking. Get the air moving by periodically opening both the top and bottom sashes of double-hung windows and making use of room-sized air purifiers. Also, replace your air-conditioning system’s filter regularly.

Open up floor space

A small living room doesn’t mean you have to suffer from a lack of storage space. You’ll have to get creative depending on the configuration of your home, but floating and hanging wall shelves will draw the eye away from the floor and create the illusion of openness. You can buy kits online, at the hardware store, or get creative with your design. HGTV recommends putting storage shelves in the nooks and crannies of your home to maximize space.

While there are limits on what you can do to change the exterior of your attached housing, you can make the interior your own little piece of heaven by getting creative with renovation projects. But remember, when in doubt, let a professional check it out. Otherwise, you may pay dearly for your mistakes.

7 Tips for Decorating Your Home

Adding a new roof to a house in North Park or any area of San Diego can be costly. Many times home sellers like to add the complete cost to the buyer. Many sellers believe because they just did this upgrade the buyer will reimburse them for it. However, value does not always equal cost. Value is what something is worth and cost is what one pays for something. We may want to think they are the same thing but they are very different.

Needs vs Wants

A roof is one of those things that falls under home maintenance and not something like a newly remodeled kitchen, featuring top of the line appliances. It is one of those things that you need to do eventually for the maintenance of the home but you don’t necessarily want to do. When a buyer walks through a home they are not looking at the roof or the pipes under the house to determine the value. Instead, they are looking at the open floor plan, or the gorgeous wood floors, updated kitchen and top of the line accessories. These are the things they want in their next house.

Buyers Expectation of Value

When a buyer walks through a home, they expect the electrical to be up to current code and they expect the sewer line to be working properly. They don’t expect to have to pay extra for these items to be up to today’s standards. That is of course if you are trying to sell your house for the highest possible dollar amount with a traditional sale to a retail buyer. If your home is in original condition or has deferred maintenance, then this is a different type of sale. In this case, doing less is more. There is a buyer for houses in all types of condition. The home simply has to be priced accordingly.

Higher End vs Lower End Value

A buyer in a higher-end market is typically more demanding than in a lower-end market. I don’t mean demanding in a bad way. What I mean is they are much pickier. They expect the home to have more bells and whistles, depending on the price point. The lower end market may not be concerned about central air, or an energy-efficient green home. They are not looking for top of the line appliances.

What Is The Value Of My Home

Let’s say you add a new kitchen that cost $50,000 in a home where homes in that area are selling for $500,000. Imagine you add that same kitchen to a home where homes are selling for $1,500,000. The value of the remodeled kitchen would be a lot less in the $500,000 home because homebuyers in that area do not expect such a high-end kitchen. You would have over-built for the neighborhood. You could remodel a kitchen in that area for $25,000 and the home would still sell for the same selling price.

If you are thinking about remodeling your home but have concerns about the resale value, contact the McT Real Estate Group. We are happy to have a phone conversation and answer whatever questions you may have.

The Accurate Value of Your Home with a San Diego Real Estate Expert

One-quarter of Americans will suffer from insomnia each year. If you’re one of them, you know how frustrating it can be to try to fall asleep, especially if you’ve taken several measures to help you relax and lull you into drowsiness.One thing you may want to consider is the color of your bedroom paint. Although it may sound like an insignificant detail, the color of your walls may be to blame for your lack of quality sleep. Red light, for example, has been found to make cattle more aroused than blue or green light.

The Psychology Of Color

The psychology of color shows us that color has the ability to influence our mood, appetite, and feelings more than we realize.

There are several colors that may prove soothing for your sleeping space, and there are many you may wish to avoid. Here’s a look at the best and worst paint colors for your bedroom.

Colors to Avoid

These are the hues that can increase energy or distract you from obtaining a full night’s sleep.

Anything Bright

Vibrant colors such as hot pink, Kelly green, and royal blue are definitely fun, but unfortunately, these paint shades won’t do much to help you get a good night’s rest. Anything bright tends to be overstimulating. Save these for the family entertainment area or home office where alertness is encouraged.

Red

As already mentioned, red is a very energizing color. While you may think the color of romance and passion is a match made in heaven for your bedroom, the truth is it may subconsciously keep you awake. Even dark brick reds and burgundy should be avoided. Red works well in the living room area or kitchen.

Very Dark Colors

Brown, black, dark gray, and deep purple can also come across as very intense and even intimidating in your bedroom space.

Colors That Encourage Relaxation

Instead of choosing the paint shades listed above, go for colors that soothe and encourage relaxation. Think of the colors you’ve seen in the waiting areas of spas, hair salons, and doctors’ offices—they probably were not of the intense variety. The following colors work very well in the bedroom.

Green

It’s the color of nature, and generally, lighter and more natural-looking greens such as sage and spearmint may help induce sleep. Green also improves concentration, so if you enjoy reading as part of your bedtime routine, being surrounded by green-colored walls may help you absorb information better. Avoid Kelly green and others on the brighter end of the green spectrum.

Blue

What do China, Great Britain, the U.S., and Indonesia all have in common? People in these countries—as well as several others—say blue is their favorite color. Maybe it’s because it’s a soothing and naturally occurring color on our planet—the sky and bodies of water are blue, and Earth itself is blue when viewed in space. One study found that blue light brought down stress levels three times faster than white light did. This is important to know, as stress can hinder sleep.

And it doesn’t have to be a light blue to help you relax. Try a navy or nautical blue in your bedroom.

Lilac and Lighter Purples

If you’re looking for something a little different, try a pastel-to-medium purple in your bedroom.

Neutrals

You can’t go wrong with any natural paint color or neutrals in the bedroom, particularly grey (as long as it’s a light grey) tan, and cream. A bonus of choosing these paint colors is that they also make it easy to find complementary bedding and furnishings.

Paint Your Way to Restful Sleep

If you’re having a hard time getting quality sleep, trying one of the suggested colors above and see if it makes a difference. The best part about using paint to help you fall asleep better? You can always paint over it and try another shade if one isn’t working out for you.

If you’re searching for your dream home in the North Park, South Park or other neighborhoods of San Diego, the McT Real Estate Group can help! Start your search by browsing what has just been listed in San Diego.

If you have parents who are getting up there in age or a loved one with mobility issues, you need to remodel your home for better accessibility. After all, you won’t be there to help them 24/7. A few simple adjustments can go a long way; from preventing falls, accidents, or even to help them regain their dignity and ensure they don’t feel like a burden to the rest of the family. There are numerous ways to design a home for people with mobility challenges, and you needn’t break the bank or move. See below for a few simple ways to model a home for better accessibility. 

Expand doors and entryways 

Expanding the doorways and hallways will make it easier for your loved ones who are bound to a wheelchair or a permanent crutch. It’s a simple fix to a big problem for many, and this ensures they don’t always have to maneuver the tight squeeze as they move from one room to the next.

Go for ramps rather than stairs 

There are many ramp solutions out there that will help people with mobility issues, particularly those in a wheelchair. You might consider opting for ramps instead of stairs, for example, to help ensure that all areas of the home are safely accessible.

Grab bars in the bathroom 

Metal grab bars will be handy for the elderly with mobility issues or the disabled. And this way, you don’t have to accompany your loved one every time they have to go to the toilet, which can help avoid a lot of embarrassment on their part. It’s probably one of the few areas where their privacy can remain sacred. 

Lower beds 

There are adjustable beds to make it easier for the disabled to move the height up and down. This makes it easier for them to transfer from their wheelchair to the bed as they don’t use too much energy. Of course, there are other ways to make the bedroom accessible, as well. 

Non-slip flooring 

Slip-proof flooring is a good investment, particularly in the bathroom or the kitchen. However, it will depend on the inhabitant because some material might not be too friendly for people in the wheelchair. A cork-based floor is good for the elderly who can still walk on their own two feet. 

It is also a good idea to keep houses tidy and clutter-free when modeling for accessibility. Make sure cords are stowed away, there are clear walkways, and items are put in a specific place. This can help lower the risk of falls or tripping on loose items. 

Install smart technology to help perform daily functions 

New AI-based innovations are a godsend to the disabled. They can help them perform daily functions and chores without a family member always waiting on them. The good news is that it’s now more affordable to install smart assistants in your home at a wide array of price points. Smart technology can include tools to change the lights or central temperature within your home from your bed, lock or open doors, make phone calls without dialing, feed any pets,  and even ways to easily monitor health. 

While remodeling, keep in mind the limited mobility of your loved ones, as its purpose is to make their lives easier.  With a few simple renovations, your loved ones can grow old in their homes, stay safe and maintain their independence. 

If you decide that you prefer to sell the home instead of remodeling, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003 for help with making this an easy transaction for your loved ones.

We all want to improve our home with home renovations, so that it looks like some of the homes you see on house- flipping shows on TV, right? While they make home renovations look amazing on television, we are all living in real life. Some things to consider before making any big remodeling decisions are:

1- How much will a home that has been renovated sell for in your neighborhood?
2- Are you planning on living in the house for more than just a few years?
3- Is it a buyers market or a seller’s market?

If you take on a massive renovation project with the plans of selling your house in a year or two, you should pay attention to what is going on in the marketplace. Contact your Realtor and ask them what they see happening in the marketplace in your neighborhood. If most of the homes in the community are selling for $650,000 for houses that are less renovated; and $850,000 for homes that are fully renovated, you’ll want to make sure that you fall into this bracket after renovations.

However, this is always not set in stone. What I am trying to convey is that you would not want to do such renovations where if you were to put the home on the market you would have to ask for $1,500,000-$2,000,000 in order to come out ahead. The buyer in that price range is not going to be looking in your neighborhood. Instead, they will be looking in an area where other homes are selling in that price range. The rule of thumb is to never buy the nicest house on the block. Instead, it is better to buy one on the block that is not as overly improved and has a better price tag on it. This way there is room to improve without over-improving.

Home Remodeling Tips and Ideas to Consider

If your goal is to simply make the home as nice as you can so that you can enjoy it while you live it, then do it. Just know that you should always think about resale. I know, I know, you are going to live there for the rest of your life right? Well, things happen, and the rest of your life sometimes changes. So, make smart choices. Here are some of the best remodeling tips to take into consideration. Consider renovating the kitchen and bathrooms. These are always a big hit for buyers. Also, your remodeling project may benefit from creating a spacious master bedroom. Buyers love seeing this. Instead of sinking a ton of money in the backyard that is bare right now, look at the inside and plan on doing these three rooms.

What Colors Should I Use When Doing Home Renovation

If you are into bright, loud colors, this is fine with walls. But, shy away from adding counters, tile, or floors that have bright personal colors such as pink, purple, orange, red, etc. You get the point. Walls can be painted on a shoestring budget. But, redoing the bathroom tile, or kitchen counter can be costly redo. If you like dark colors, go for it but know if at some point you decide that you would want to sell your home, plan on painting it lighter. Our homes in North Park, South Park, and the metro neighborhoods of San Diego tend to be smaller than other parts of the Country. If you paint the rooms dark, they tend to look smaller.

Homebuyers would then feel the home is too small for them. There are many different shades of light colors that we typically recommend when selling a house. Wall colors range from various shades of whites, greys, and very light pastels for accent walls. Exterior accent colors for front doors and garage doors range from oranges, reds, yellows, mints, and several others. Even though we like to keep the home light, we also want to create a pop of color. Remember, you want to attract a large pool of buyers if and when you decide to sell your house.

How To Renovate Your House

There are lots of places to get ideas before starting a remodeling project. The best way to save money before taking on a renovation project is to do your research. Create a dream board of things you would like. Once completed, figure out what you absolutely must have and what you can do down the line in the future. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals. Your realtor should be an excellent resource for finding great handymen/women, painters, and other tradespeople. After talking to several of these referrals and getting proposals, talk to some of their past clients. See what they have to say about their work. Once your decision has been made, go for it.

The job has been completed. Now enjoy your remodeled home. If several years down the line you decide that you would like to sell your home, call the McT Real Estate Group for tips getting the highest dollar amount for your investment.

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