4 minute read
Instantly improve your home
3 DIY projects that will instantly improve your home’s value
3 value-boosting improvements new homeowners make to enhance spaces
(BPT) - Buying a home is exciting. Once you purchase a property, you want to make it your own. Whether it’s a 100-year-old beauty or a fresh new build, there are improvements you can make that not only personalize the space, but add instant value to your real estate investment.
Project 1: Update the garage door
Garage doors take up a lot of visual real estate on the exterior of a home, meaning they dramatically boost curb appeal. Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, bland designs, old styles and damaged doors detract from a home’s appearance and overall value.
Updating a garage door has a midrange cost but an impressive ROI. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value report, the average national job cost of a garage door replacement is $3,695, with an impressive 94.5% cost recouped at resale.
When choosing a garage door, select one you like that matches the home’s design. For example, carriage-house garage doors have a rustic look that work well with American Craftsman style homes. Contemporary garage doors with clean lines work well with midcentury modern homes. Raised panel garage doors are popular and work with many types of homes.
Project 2: Add a bathroom
Wish you could add a bathroom where no conventional plumbing exists in your home? Basements, attics, garages and unfinished spaces are tricky, but there is one way to add a bathroom without busting through concrete or sacrificing the structural integrity of a home: above-floor plumbing such as macerating toilets and drain pumps from Saniflo.
This was the case for David Pirain of NextHome PPM Realty, who wanted to add a half bath to a home he was flipping in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The primary challenge: Sewage access was above
• See PROJECTS on page 11
RE/MAX 1ST CHOICE WELCOMES COLE KINKIN & KRISTI DAVIS
Cole is an Ottawa native. He studied business and safety at Illinois State University and afterwards proceeded to work for local industries. Cole developed a passion for real estate and with encouragement from family made the leap to pursue real estate full time. Cole is a dedicated father to twin boys, Jack
Cole Kinkin and Oliver. He truly loves helping first time buyers and looks forward to building trust and relationships in the Illinois Valley. You can reach Cole on his cell at 815-830-1981
or at the RE/MAX office at 815-434-3337.
Kristi was born and raised in Streator, recentlyrelocating backto the areafrom Southern California to assist in caring for her mother. With a background in hospitality and client relations, she brings valuable experience and fivestar service to each individual looking
Kristi Davis to buy or sell in the real estate market. Kristi is looking forward to hearing from you today. Give her a call on her cell at 815-200-9645 or at the
RE/MAX office at 815-434-3337.
1ST Choice
Each Office Independently Owned & Operated
Starved Rock Realty
620 N. Divis on i St. Ut ca 8i ( 15) 66 -7 999 www.s ar0 t ve roc rd k ealty.net PUT THE STARVED ROCK REALTY TEAM
Dee Barrera
Broker/Owner
(815) 252-9696 Alice Green
Broker
(815) 488-9712 Johanna Arkels
Broker
(815) 252-8026
TO WORK
Larla Grandadam Broker (815) 883-1353
FOR YOU!
Denisse Perez Broker (815) 326-8513
327 E. Washington Street
MLS#10840891 THIS IS PRICELESS!!! As Victorian and elegant but cozy as it gets! 4 BR, 2 BA completely restored down to the final details stunning home~1st floor laundry - 1 car garage, gorgeous landscape. Offered by Dee Barrera
$168,000 OTTAWA
546 Marquette Street, Unit North
MLS # 10796826 FULLY REMODELED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM - 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath duplex with a full basement, off street parking, and a nice concrete patio to enjoy your morning or evening beverage! Granite countertops, new flooring throughout - one small dog accepted. Offered by Dee Barrera $1150/MO - RENTAL
LASALLE
6 Water Street
MLS#10830536 TOTAL SECLUSION in this 1300 sq ft. Chateau style home - 2 BR/2 BA with 2 fireplaces - deck, 2 ponds, furnace and a/c 2 years old. 20’ x 28’ garage - change your address and lifestyle in this wonder! Offered by Dee Barrera.
$189,900 OGLESBY
2643 N. Illinois Rt. 178 - Unit V-2
MLS # 10836476 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Villa at Grand Bear - one owner property, all appliances stay - most furniture original, 2 gas fireplaces, jacuzzi tub in the master suite - make it your home or an investment. Offered by Alice Green.
$94,500 UTICA, IL
1279 N. 1550th Rd
MLS#10827645 3-4 Bedroom country farmette, 1.5 car detached garage, 3rd building, plus a Morton building connected to the house with a breezeway, 3 grain bins on the property - this type doesn’t come along often. Offered by Dee Barrera.
$195,000 STREATOR
