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Refinishing Your Stairs Can Add Value to Your Albuquerque Home

Friday, February 12, 2021
by Sandi Pressley

If you intend to sell your home in Albuquerque, painting your stairs will increase the value of your property and enhance its appearance. People often overlook their stairs when they are taking on home improvement projects. But it can be a very easy way to dramatically change the look of your home. Whether you want to give your stairs a makeover or just repaint the back deck, there's paint for every need.

Here's a quick guide to the types of paint that are best for freshening up your interior and exterior stairs. 

Outdoor Stairs

You need a highly durable paint for your outdoor stairs, as they are subjected to high traffic and the elements. You should try an acrylic exterior paint on your wood stairs. There is an acrylic paint made specifically for porches, floors, and exterior stairs. You should stay away from glossy finish paints, which can be slippery when wet.

Satin or eggshell finish paints are the best choice as they can resist dirt and stains while being easily cleaned without creating a slip hazard. For extra safety, you can add a non-slip additive to your paint for extra texture and slip resistance. 

Indoor Stairs

Indoor stairs often don't wear out as much as outdoor stairs, but they still get a lot of foot traffic. Try painting indoor stairs with 100% acrylic paint for easy cleaning. If you want to keep the steps dry during wet weather, you can use semi-gloss paint.

If you plan to paint your indoor stairs in different colors, you might also consider other paint finishes. For example, you could paint the risers and spindles in semigloss paint and use a lower luster paint for the railings and treads to increase safety.

Paint Design Ideas

Your stairs can be a great place for you to let your creative side shine when it comes to painting, since you can paint them in a variety of ways.

One classic approach to painting stairs is to paint the risers and spindles in a light color and the treads and railings in a dark one. This looks nice and adds visual interest to the steps. 

If you like the look of a classic stair runner, but you don't want the risk of tripping, you can paint a runner down the center of your staircase for a great visual effect.

Refinishing Stairs for a Fresh, New Look

Fresh paint is one way you can transform the look of your stairs and brighten the area around them. If you're thinking about refinishing your stairs, its essential to have all the right tools and paint. That way, you'll make your vision a reality. 

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

803 WARM SANDS Court SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $660,000

6 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (4 full, 0 half) / 4553 Square Feet

Stunning Custom home (By Guererro)on a cul de sac in 4 Hills Village, upon entering you will notice the hardwood grand staircase. Home features 6 Bedrooms, 4 Baths, with Gourmet Kitchen, stainless appliances, granite counter tops, remodeled bathrooms, an amazing walk out basement (1200 sq ft) with a bedroom bathroom (pool table stays), storage, wet bar and so much more and entertaining areas. Spectacular views from master bedroom Balcony,(there are two other balconies as well), backyard w/rv access. There is new carpet, paint, surround sound, updated lighting, fans, all new hardware on the doors, oversized 3 car garage w new doors/openers. Schedule an appt now. Please note hot tub does not convey!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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How to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel

Tuesday, June 2, 2020
by Sandi Pressley

The kitchen is without question one of the most important rooms in any home, and a main selling point when selling your home in Albuquerque. In fact, it can make or break a deal. In fact, a home with a remodeled kitchen can sell up to 8% faster, according to Realtor.com.

In the "old days", the kitchen was kept in the background to reduce heat and control odors. Now, the kitchen is the center of attention in modern homes. That's why your kitchen is such an important room, and how it looks and operates makes such a huge difference.

If you plan to remodel your kitchen soon, here are some tips to help save money.

Choose mid-range efficient appliances 

There's no law saying you must buy the most expensive appliances for your kitchen, especially if you plan to sell your home soon. There's a great range of affordable, practical, energy-efficient appliances that look amazing.

When you choose your appliances, keep an eye on consistency of how they look together. In other words, try to stick with one brand and appearance. Stainless steel is the way to go, as it gives your kitchen a high-end and modern look.

Opt for affordable yet durable counter materials 

When home buyers walk into a kitchen, they will usually look at the counters first, since that's is where all the work happens, and they make up for most of the look of your kitchen. The counters should dictate the look of the rest of your kitchen, such as the cabinetry, room furnishings, and color scheme. 

To save money on granite countertops, you can get away with granite that has a rating of 2, as opposed to 3. This difference won't usually be noticed by most buyers, and can save you a good deal of money, offering a greater return on investment.

Another way to go is with laminate countertops. They look like granite, but without the higher cost. In the past, you wouldn't be able to install an under-mount sink in a laminate countertop, but designs have changed and now you can. Laminate hovers at an affordable $5 to $30/sq. ft.

Quartz (an engineered stone) and concrete countertops are other cost-saving options. The average cost of quartz is $55 to $200/sq. ft. and concrete runs $75 to $200/sq. ft. Resurfacing an older countertop with tile is another option. This project typically costs around $10 to $70/sq. ft. 

Go for a cosmetic upgrade instead of a whole cabinet replacement

When it comes to upgrading your cabinets, you don't have to replace them completely. A complete cabinet replacement can run into the thousands of dollars. Instead, think about resurfacing them. You can even make it a DIY project and save even more money.

If you absolutely need to replace your cabinets, you can go with veneer models instead of real wood. you can expect to spend around $70 to $100 per linear foot for budget cabinets.

When it comes to hardware for your cabinets, you can also save money, as you don't need to spend a ton of money. You can really define your price range with hardware, as you can spend as little as $1 for knobs and hinges.

Remodeling your kitchen is a great way to increase the value of your home. Just make sure you don't eat up that profit by spending too much.

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1541 Nez Perce Loop NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144  $599,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 3644 Square Feet

Stunning Views! This home will WOW your buyers! Wide open floor plan with 2 living areas, perfect for entertaining. Gorgeous wood beam accents, custom kiva fireplace & large picture windows with mountain and city views. Well appointed kitchen features granite counter tops, custom cabinets & SS appliances. Brilliant floor plan offers 2 master suites, 2 additional spacious bedrooms and 2 bonus rooms, plus a formal dining room overlooking the wrap around balcony. Master suite is a gem has a picturesque jetted tub, separate snail shower & large walk in closet. Enjoy the views from your covered patio & wrap around balcony year round! New Septic and Well in 2017 - All New Paint inside and out 2019! Hardwood floors refinished 2019! New Driveway! This home is sure to impress!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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Home Remodeling Projects With Top-Dollar Returns

Thursday, January 17, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Not all home improvements are created equal. These will reward you the most when it comes time to sell.

Your home is in the perfect location, came at the perfect price, with the perfect lot.

But the home itself? Perfect isn’t the adjective you’d use. But you knew that moving in, and now you’re ready to start making it just right.

But where to begin? How about with data? Data is that friend who tells you like it really is.

Because while any home improvement that brings you joy is priceless, not all add as much home equity as you might expect.

The “Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of REALTORS® has tons of data on how much improvements cost — and how much of those costs you can recoup.

Here are the best five home remodeling projects with equity-building might:

New Roof

If you find yourself sprinting for the buckets when it starts to sprinkle, getting a new roof should be your No. 1 to-do. Measuring rainfall from the indoors isn’t cool.

The cost: $7,500

The return: 109% at $8,150

Considering it’s what’s between you and the elements, it’s a no-brainer.

Not sure if you need a new roof? Signs you might include:

  • Shingles are missing, curling up, or covered in moss.
  • Gritty bits from the asphalt shingles are coming out the downspout.
  • The sun’s shining through your attic.
  • You notice stains on ceilings and walls.
  • Your energy bill is sky high.

Hardwood Floors

You flip on the TV to see that your fave home reno-ing duo is it at again, flipping a ranch that’s stuck in the ‘80s.

They make it to the living room, pull back the dingy carpet to reveal hardwood floors in great condition. They’re psyched — and for good reason.

Hardwood floors are a timeless classic. Refinishing is a no-brainer. Neither will you regret adding new hardwood floors if you have none.

The cost to refinish: $2,500

The return: 100% at $2,500

The cost to buy new: $5,500

The return: 91% at $5,000

New Garage Door

No surprise that a garage door replacement project made it onto this #winning list — a new garage door provides a big boost for your home’s curb appeal at a relatively modest cost.

The cost: $2,300 (for a two-door)

The return: 87% at $2,000

There are options galore, too. A host of factory-finish colors, wood-look embossed steel, and glass window insets are just some of the possibilities that’ll give your doors bankable personality.

Better Insulation

Insulation is tucked out of sight, so it’s often out of mind — that is, until you’re forced to wear your parka indoors because it’s sooo darn cold.

The cost: $2,100

The return: 76% at $1,600 (plus the added savings on heating and cooling costs!)

New Siding

In any color! And never paint again.

Those are two of the three benefits of vinyl siding. The third, of course, is your home’s value.

But if long-time homeowners look at you funny when you mention vinyl siding, just tell them that today’s vinyl is way better than what they remember because of fade-resistant finishes and transferable lifetime warranties.

The cost: $13,350

The return: 75% at $10,000

Want fiber-cement siding instead? It also shows a strong payback of 83%. Although it’s the pricier option — you’ll spend about $18,000 with a payback of about $15,000 — it has one thing vinyl still lacks — the perception of quality.

And quality matters. Quality is the one of the most important traits that home buyers focused on when house hunting.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. 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!

231 Graceland Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108  $189,000

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 partial) / 1530 Square Feet

Great Opportunity! Make this one your own or your investment property! Situated on a large corner lot, this gem features both formal and informal living areas; Recently re-finished hardwood floors; Cozy wood burning fireplace; separate dining room or perhaps office/hobby space; plus classic details throughout. Enjoy warm summer evenings under the ample covered patio. Close to shopping, UNM & UNMH, transporation!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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Common and Costly Remodeling Mistakes New Owners Make

Thursday, January 3, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

 

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. 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!

2020 Mountaineer Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $300,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 partial) / 2370 Square Feet

Casual elegance in this Incredible 4BDR/4BA with hard to find attached casita/guest suite/man cave or office!! Master Suite is on the main level!! Soaring wood beam ceilings, light, bright and open! An entertainer's floor plan with lots of space for family and friends! Fully landscaped beautiful backyard. Close to KAFB, Sandia Labs, UNM, Foothills!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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How to Save on Granite Countertops

Tuesday, July 17, 2018
by Sandi Pressley

Granite countertops are an ideal choice for bath and kitchen remodels.  They’re always in style, durable, and take less maintenance. You may think that installing a granite countertop will be too expensive. Yes, the can be.  But you don’t actually need to buy the most expensive granite to get amazing results. Here’s what you should know about granite counters and how you can cut back the cost of installing one.

Costs

A granite countertop will cost between $2000 - $4500, which includes materials and installation. Typically granite is priced by the square foot, which can include delivery, installation, and simple edge finishes.  Extra costs will be incurred with further features such as decorative edge treatments and cutouts for sinks or stove tops. You also need to take into account plumbing hookups and disposal of your old countertop.

The grade of the countertop will affect the price as well. The grade is based on the availability of the stone, color, shipping and distinctiveness.  This doesn’t, however, always reveal the granite’s overall quality.

Saving Money

1. Shop around

Check big box stores, design studios, granite fabricators, and companies that specialize in prefabricated granite counters. Hiring an established company will yield the best results. Check online reviews and talk to family or friends who have had granite installed. When you have two or three companies selected, visit each one to talk about the project and see examples of their work. You can save hundreds of dollars just by carefully comparing and shopping around.

2. Buy the sink and faucet separately

Try to buy the sink, faucet and any plumbing separately so you can get the lowest prices on each item.

3. Use a remnant

Granite companies may offer discounts on smaller pieces of stone left over from other projects.

4. Go prefab

Prefabricated counters are already cut and polished, and are great for simple counters that don’t need many cuts.

5. Have the installer do final measurements

Have the installer take the final measurements and make a template which the final estimate will be based on. This will avoid making expensive mistakes.

Adding a granite countertop is a great way to make your home look better and raise the resale value of your home.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. 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!

11716 Easy Goer Road SE, Albuquerque, NM  $289,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2600 Square Feet

Beautiful Southwest style home in Volterra. Light, bright and open floorplan with plenty of entertaining space!  Mountain views! The secondary bedrooms are large plus a loft and the utility room is upstairs for convenience! Mountain views! Beautifully maintained landscaped front and backyards!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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Remodeling Your Home in Albuquerque to Get the Most ROI

Wednesday, March 28, 2018
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! 

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