HGTV’s Top Upgrades to Boost Your Waterfront Property Value

Considering a home sale

If you’re thinking of putting your Candlewood Lake home up for sale, renovating it can make a significant difference in its price.

But not all renovations boost sale price. Before you start buying supplies and contacting local contractors, step back and plan carefully. Some projects are more effective at increasing home value, while others are better left unadded.


Start by consulting your local real estate agent. He or she knows the best upgrades that can increase the price of your home for sale in Candlewood Lake CT.


Doing your due diligence and planning smartly can help you decide the best upgrades that will give a higher return on your investment.

Top upgrades to increase home equity

HGTV shares several renovations that will both pay off and boost your home's value.


1. Update the bathroom. You don't have to spend a lot of money to improve the look of your bathroom. There are many simple upgrades you can do that will increase the comfort and style of your bathroom, as well as add equity to the home.

Here are some cost-effective updates for a minor bathroom remodel.

• Replace the toilet seat and lid instead of replacing the whole toilet unit.
• Updating the lighting fixtures to make the bathroom appear brighter.
• Replace a bathroom faucet.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint. 
• Recaulk around the bathtub. 
• Improve bathroom ventilation system. 
• Replace broken or cracked floor tiles. 
• Replace or install a new shower door.

2. Enhance the landscape. When you're selling a home, the first impression is crucial. Buyers make up their mind in the first few seconds they’ve seen your home, so make the most of your home’s curb appeal.

Make sure that you have an attention-worthy landscape. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it must have charm to create the impression that you take care of the house and your yard.

What are some things you can do to update your home’s landscape?

• Add color with perennials or seasonal flowering shrubs.
• Use one color and use plants with different heights to create dimension. 
• Make sure your pathway is clean of any overgrown grass.
• A lush, beautiful lawn is inviting. Maintain your lawn by aerating, fertilizing, and weeding it.
• Adding a focal point like a winding flagstone walkway or a fountain. 

Spending a little amount of money on your curb appeal will make the home look more appealing, which buyers will pay more for.


3. Give your kitchen a minor renovation. The kitchen is one of most well-used part of the home, especially if you are using your Connecticut lakefront home as the main home.

These upgrades will not only add equity, it will also make the kitchen a favorite spot in the house.

• Adding recessed lighting and under cabinet lighting. 
• If you have a more expensive house, replace your countertop with a stone or glass countertop.
• Cover your old vinyl floor with a floor leveler and install a second layer of vinyl floor. You’ll have great floors at a budget-friendly price.
• Paint the cabinets.
• Change drapes and window molding.
• Replace the lights to make the kitchen brighter.
• Replace any old appliances and switch to energy ones that will give your home buyer huge savings in the long run. 

4. Exterior improvements. Did you know that vinyl siding replacement has a recoup rate of 95%, and a steel door replacement has an ROI of 91%?


Lakefront homes are beautiful, but they are also more exposed to harsh elements. The constant exposures easily damage the sidings, so check your sidings to see if it needs replacement.


Check out these other exterior improvements you can make.

• Create an inviting outdoor space like a deck, patio, or porch. 
• If you have a pergola or planning to install one, use load-bearing columns like fiberglass composite columns. 
• Make the home look more modern by removing old awnings from doors and windows. 

5. Renovate the basement. Increase your home footage by improving the basement. A finished basement is an additional living space and can be converted into a family room, an extra bedroom, a game room, or a home office.


6. Replace old windows. Showcasing your surroundings scenic beauty is important when you live in a waterfront home. Replacing your windows will help the views stand out even better. New windows also let natural light in much better, reducing the need to turn on electric lights which saves you from the additional cost.


Choose energy-efficient windows. These windows help seal the heat better, so you can enjoy the maximum use of your energy.


7. Upgrade your floors and walls. Painting your walls is the most cost-efficient way to upgrade and brighten up your living space.


If your carpet floors are already worn out, rip it up and check what’s underneath. You can also choose to replace your floor with hardwood, laminate or tile.


You can learn more updates here: https://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/top-home-updates-that-pay-off-pictures.


Renovations are not cheap, so plan your updates well. If your Candlewood Lake home is well-maintained and structurally sound, the updates will only mean a few cosmetic changes.


Learn the best renovations for your waterfront home. Call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt, at 203-994-4297. Let’s discuss the best updates that will boost your home value.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view HGTV’s Top Upgrades to Boost Your Waterfront Property Value on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aMRftqj3HE

How to Quickly Attract Buyers to Your Waterfront Home

Save the best home selling tips

Are you planning to sell your waterfront home soon? If you're a first-time seller, you may want to stock up on home selling tips and tricks that you can use to sell your property.

You may also want to lower your expectations on how soon the home will sell.

Though many people love waterfront homes and the idea of owning a waterfront property is something many have been toying with for years, not all will want to buy nor can afford to buy one.

Waterfront homes are considered "luxury homes" though many are in the affordable to moderate price range. That's because lakefront homes are usually vacation homes, a place to escape during summer, or when you want to get away and take a break from all that's going on in life.

To sell your lakefront home successfully, you have to step up your game.

Simply sticking a "For Sale" sign on the yard and advertising on newspaper and magazines are not enough. In today's very competitive real estate market, you need to have a solid understanding of how to market your beachfront home.

Here are the best tips that will help you sell your lakefront home soon and for the best price.

1. Price it right from the start. Your home's listing price is vital. It is the determining factor of whether the house will sell or not. If you price it too high, your home will sit on the market until it most likely expires.

Homes that remain unsold for months give the wrong impression to buyers. They might think that something is wrong with the home. This stigma will make it more difficult to sell.

On the other hand, if you price it too low, you are leaving money on the table. As a seller, you would want to see your house value increase instead of decrease, and selling it at a super discounted price is saying you desperately wanted to get rid of the house.

The key to right pricing is finding the sweet spot based on your research of the  comparative market analysis and your understanding of the local market. This can be difficult if it is your first time to sell a property, so it would be to your advantage to hire a seasoned local real estate agent.

2. Get help from an experienced local real estate agent. Notice that I said experienced and local.

You need an agent who knows and specializes in selling waterfront homes. Though technically a real estate agent should be able to sell any property, selling is easier if you're doing it for a specific niche, so there are agents for waterfront homes, luxury properties, single family homes, horse farms, etc.

Find an agent who is seasoned in selling waterfront homes because he or she knows how to market your home best. They know who they'll sell to, they know the waterfront lifestyle, they know what buyers want.

Also, look for a local real estate agent. He or she is more familiar with the local market as well as the laws and special considerations.


3. Boost the curb appeal! If you're selling a waterfront home, don't just think about how the front yard looks. There's so much more to look at in a waterfront property. You also have to consider the viewing area and the view.

What is the viewing area? Is it a deck or a patio?

Can you see the view directly or is it partially obstructed by heavy foliage?

What kind of view do you have? Are you looking at a beach, a lake, a river, or a pond?

Is the area surrounding the water clean?

These questions are just some of the things that will help you boost the curb appeal of your waterfront home. You have to remember that buyers are expecting a view, and that's one you have to deliver. Maximizing the view by clearing out some of the overhanging branches and wildly grown shrubs to vastly improve the view. 

 4. Don't forget to stage it!  When buyers step inside a waterfront home, they expect to see an extension of the waterfront lifestyle in your home.

That means there should be an outdoor living space like a deck or patio where you can enjoy the view.

That means there should ba a nautical theme or decor in the house.

That means there should be plenty of blues, greens and grays in the house decor because these colors reflect their outside setting.

That means doors and windows must be framed to showcase their views.

These are a few of the many things you can do when staging so your home becomes more inviting and relaxing - the two things waterfront homes are known for.

Make your home Instagram worthy! Your Realtor® will hire a professional photographer to take beautiful photos and videos of your home for marketing purposes. Your home should look impeccable and stunning in photos to easily catch a buyer’s attention.

Knowing what to do and preparing a plan makes home selling easier.

When you’re ready to sell your home, call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt, at 203-994-4297. I offer a free home valuation and you are under no obligation to list with me.  I’ll be waiting for your call!

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view How to Quickly Attract Buyers to Your Waterfront Home on my YouTube channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arasOCp7u-4

CT Waterfront Home Value

Knowing your CT waterfront home’s worth

As a homeowner, you're probably wondering how much your lakefront property is worth. After all, you're still paying your monthly mortgage, and on top of that, the yearly property tax amount is quite hefty.

While you don't have a precise amount of what your Connecticut waterfront home could be worth, you know that a water frontage home is more expensive than a non-waterfront property. The view alone can add a substantial amount to the property's worth. As a premium property, you expect your home to have increased its value over the years you've owned it.

What is your home's value?

The easiest and most direct answer to this question is "Whatever a seller is willing to pay for it".

That may be well and good if you are selling your Connecticut lakefront property, but what if you want to know because you're considering a home upgrade? Or if it's a vacation home, you want to know because you want to use the home equity for a business loan?

Valuating a lakefront property is quite different from valuating a non-waterfront home. Many waterfront real estates are already considered luxury properties, so it can be daunting to price. There are also many things to consider when valuating a home so you can get the pricing right.

Setting the right price can be tricky. Price it too high and it can sit on the market for a long time. Price it too low and you leave money on the table.

To know the value of your waterfront home in Connecticut, you need the help of a local fulltime real estate professional who specializes in waterfront properties, like me, Deborah Laemmerhirt. As a long time resident of Connecticut, I am familiar with the local estate market of each county and have made it my mission to get to know everything there is about selling and buying waterfront properties.

Please visit http://CTLuxuryWaterfrontRealEstate.com/about/ to get to know me better.

Factors to consider in a home valuation

The CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) is one of the most commonly used tools in preparing a home’s valuation. It takes into account the comparables or recently sold properties in the area that are close in size and style to your home.

The sold listings have a large influence on your property’s price. It says how much buyers are willing to pay for the property.

Another consideration in preparing the CMA is the active listings. This is the list of currently available homes for sale in your area. It’s a great way to check how much your competition prices itself so you can adjust your pricing accordingly.

Aside from these two, the following are few of the other considerations included in a valuation.

1. Location. Yes, it may be a waterfront property, but how far is it from the water? Is the water easily accessible? These are some of the questions that you must look at when thinking of location.

2. What type of waterfront is it? Connecticut has over 3,000 ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, not to mention 96 miles of coastline. What type of waterfront do you have? There is no particular price set to add to a specific waterfront, but its kind and size will have an impact on your property’s price.

3. Waterfront visibility. While your home may indeed be a waterfront, how visible is the waterline from the property? Do you have a clear, large frontage or is the view blocked by trees and undergrowth? Generally, the clearer and larger the frontage, the higher the price.

There are many things to factor in a valuation to get the right listing price of your CT real estate waterfront property.

Are you ready to have your property assessed?

Call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt, at 203-994-4297. As one of Connecticut’s preeminent waterfront real estate professionals, let me help find out your home’s value.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view CT Waterfront Home Value  on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/cChvTYiBpy4

CT Waterfront Home Value

Knowing your CT waterfront home’s worth

As a homeowner, you're probably wondering how much your lakefront property is worth. After all, you're still paying your monthly mortgage, and on top of that, the yearly property tax amount is quite hefty.

While you don't have a precise amount of what your Connecticut waterfront home could be worth, you know that a water frontage home is more expensive than a non-waterfront property. The view alone can add a substantial amount to the property's worth. As a premium property, you expect your home to have increased its value over the years you've owned it.

What is your home's value?

The easiest and most direct answer to this question is "Whatever a seller is willing to pay for it".

That may be well and good if you are selling your Connecticut lakefront property, but what if you want to know because you're considering a home upgrade? Or if it's a vacation home, you want to know because you want to use the home equity for a business loan?

Valuating a lakefront property is quite different from valuating a non-waterfront home. Many waterfront real estates are already considered luxury properties, so it can be daunting to price. There are also many things to consider when valuating a home so you can get the pricing right.

Setting the right price can be tricky. Price it too high and it can sit on the market for a long time. Price it too low and you leave money on the table.

To know the value of your waterfront home in Connecticut, you need the help of a local fulltime real estate professional who specializes in waterfront properties, like me, Deborah Laemmerhirt. As a long time resident of Connecticut, I am familiar with the local estate market of each county, and have made it my mission to get to know everything there is about selling and buying waterfront properties.

Please visit http://CTLuxuryWaterfrontRealEstate.com/about/ to get to know me better.

Factors to consider in a home valuation

The CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) is one of the most commonly used tools in preparing a home’s valuation. It takes into account the comparables or recently sold properties in the area that are close in size and style to your home.

The sold listings have a large influence on your property’s price. It says how much buyers are willing to pay for the property.

Another consideration in preparing the CMA is the active listings. This is the list of currently available homes for sale in your area. It’s a great way to check how much your competition prices itself so you can adjust your pricing accordingly.

Aside from these two, the following are few of the other considerations included in a valuation.

1. Location. Yes, it may be a waterfront property, but how far is it from the water? Is the water easily accessible? These are some of the questions that you must look at when thinking of location.

2. What type of waterfront is it? Connecticut has over 3,000 ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, not to mention 96 miles of coastline. What type of waterfront do you have? There is no particular price set to add to a specific waterfront, but its kind and size will have an impact on your property’s price.

3. Waterfront visibility. While your home may indeed be a waterfront, how visible is the waterline from the property? Do you have a clear, large frontage or is the view blocked by trees and undergrowth? Generally, the clearer and larger the frontage, the higher the price.

There are many things to factor in a valuation to get to the right listing price of your CT real estate waterfront property.

Are you ready to have your property assessed?

Call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt, at 203-994-4297. As one of Connecticut’s preeminent waterfront real estate professionals, let me help find out your home’s value.