Don Wenner Home Selling Team Blog: September 2009

New Listings	15
Back on Market	2
Price Increases	1
Price Reductions	20
Contingents	1
Pendings	12
Solds	1
Expireds	29
Inactives	5

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Don Wenner

The Don Wenner Home Selling Team
Keller Williams Real Estate 
2901 Emrick Blvd. Suite 100 
Bethlehem PA 18020
PA RE License #RS300485

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(O) 610-867-8888
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 email: don@donwenner.com

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Many people tend to neglect the exterior of their home when it comes to making updates. Exterior home updates range from minor changes like adding bushes, trees and flowers to major renovations like installing new siding. Remember your exterior is what makes a first impression when potential buyers see your home.

Landscaping

Simple landscaping can have a huge impact and does not always require a designer. If you are not sure where to start, do your research online or talk to your neighbors. You can transform your landscape by adding colorful flowers, edging your beds, and treating the yard. You can sod a $5,000 sq. ft. yard for approximately $1,500. If you can't afford sod, then seed the yard. You will receive a 100% return on these landscaping projects.

Exterior

You can repaint your home yourself. A gallon of paint covers 400 sq. ft. of house. This is a big job, but it is fairly inexpensive. Change the entire look of your house by installing new siding. The average national cost to replace 1,250 sq. ft. of vinyl siding is $7,239. The average return on investment is $6,914 (95.5%). You can get even a higher return on investment by installing fiber-cement siding. It costs approximately $10,393 with a return on investment of $10,771 (103.6%).

Updating the exterior can by challenging because you may not know where to start. To decide where to start, it really depends on how much time and money you have to do the renovations. Remember that curb appeal is important and it does not have to break the budget.

Don Wenner can offer you tips to make your Easton exterior home renovations easy. Visit donwenner.com for the best properties in Bethlehem, Easton, or Allentown or Northern New Jersey.

You can really give your Allentown home a new look by updating your kitchen and baths. From small updates that are inexpensive to complete remodels, a total transformation can easily be made.

Below are budget friendly updates that you can easily make which will give your home a more modern and attractive look.

Budget-friendly Bathroom Updates

• Paint-A new coat of paint is an easy way to renew a room's look.

• Hardware-Update your vanity by adding new hardware.

• Flooring-Remove carpet and replace with tile.

• Lighting-A modern bathroom must always have updated lighting.

Budget-friendly Kitchen Updates

• Cabinets-Refinishing or re-facing the cabinets are cheaper than buyer new ones and can give them a fresh look.

• Paint-Just like the bathroom, a fresh coat of paint can transform the room. You can also paint the cabinets.

• Faucets and sinks-Replace your sink and faucet with a more updated finish like brush nickel.

• Lighting-Give the kitchen a dramatic look by adding track lighting.

If budget is not an issue, than dive into a complete remodel. Below are several great ways to remodel your kitchen and baths.

Bathroom Remodel

• Minor Remodel-For approximately $10,500 you can replace the tub, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity and fixtures. You'll see an average return of $10,700 (102%).

• Major Remodel-For approximately $26,052 you can expand an existing 5-by-7-foot bathroom, relocate and replace the tub and toilet, add designer sinks and faucets, a linen closet, lighting, a ceramic tile floor and exhaust fan. You'll see an average return of $24,286 (93.2%).

Kitchen Remodel

• Minor Remodel-For approximately $14,913 you can do 30 feet of re-facing of cabinets and drawers, a new wall oven, cooktop, sink and fixtures, laminate countertops, and new flooring. You'll see an average return of $14,691 (98.5%).

• Major Remodel-For approximately $43,862 you can buy 30 ft. of cabinets, an island, laminate countertops, stainless sink, wall oven, cook top, vinyl flooring and appliances. You'll see an average return of $39,920 (91%).

Homebuyers are more attracted to homes with updated kitchens and baths. Don Wenner has the expertise needed to help you make the correct selections when updating your kitchen and baths. Contact Don today and check out his Lehigh Valley website to view the best properties in Bethlehem, Easton, or Allentown.