This and That for your house…

Keeping your house in its best shape…paint colors?  countertops? granite, butcher block or quartz? The twelve remodeling projects that bring value to a resale.  I updated “Who to Call for Services” list.

What the NAR says to remodel and the estimated return based on upfront cost:

New steel front door: 100% (estimated return based on upfront cost)
Closet renovation: 83%
New fiberglass front door: 80% New vinyl windows: 74%
New wood windows: 71%
Basement conversion to living area: 71% Attic conversion to living area: 67% Complete kitchen renovation: 60% Minor kitchen upgrade: 60% Bathroom addition: 56%
New primary suite: 54%
Bathroom renovation: 50%

link to full article:12 Remodeling Projects That Offer the Best Value at Resale

What paint colors are okay?

Neutral colors don’t always have to be your go-to in home staging. Sherwin-Williams color trend-setters offer a reason to expand

your color palette.

link to full NAR article: A Dark Secret in Real Estate … About Paint, That Is

Counters:  What to Choose

Kitchens are busy hubs, so choosing a countertop – quartz, granite, laminate or butcher block – depends on budget, style and maintenance needs.

link to full FAR article:What to Know About Kitchen Countertops | Florida Realtors

WHO TO CALL FOR SERVICES LIST:

PRINTABLE PDF:    who to call 2025

From my guest blogger…

Retirement to Renovation: Seniors Turning Fixer-Uppers into Fortunes

Image via Pexels

Retirement doesn’t have to signal a slowdown. For many older adults, it’s the start of an entirely new chapter—one driven by autonomy, fulfillment, and, yes, profit. Enter the world of house flipping: an industry long dominated by younger, HGTV-fueled enthusiasts, but increasingly drawing in seniors looking to blend income with creativity. With years of life experience, financial discipline, and more flexibility in their schedules, seniors are uniquely positioned to thrive in this high-reward real estate game—if they approach it with the right strategies.

Experience Is an Underrated Asset

There’s a depth of wisdom that comes from decades of decision-making, and it can be a game-changer in real estate. Seniors tend to avoid impulsive buying, and in a market where timing and negotiation are everything, that patience becomes a serious advantage. They’ve seen economic swings and housing trends come and go, giving them an intuitive edge when it comes to recognizing undervalued properties. Plus, many already own homes and may have experience with renovations or home maintenance. Those life skills translate directly into the ability to assess properties realistically and plan upgrades that make sense.

Build Smarts Alongside Structures

Flipping houses doesn’t mean leaving learning behind—especially when going back to school can sharpen your edge. With coursework in accounting, business, communications, and management, you can learn skills that can help your business thrive in a competitive market. Online degree programs make it easy to manage your real estate work while going to school at the same time, giving you flexibility without sacrificing momentum. For those exploring long-term business degree career opportunities, formal education offers both practical tools and professional credibility that can elevate your flipping venture from a side project to a serious enterprise.

Partner for Strength, Not Speed

House flipping doesn’t have to be a solo act. In fact, for older adults, working with a reliable partner can be essential. Whether that’s a family member with complementary skills, a real estate-savvy friend, or even a younger investor looking for mentorship, these collaborations provide both energy and balance. Seniors bring strategic thinking and access to capital, while partners can handle physically demanding tasks or digital operations like social media marketing. The goal isn’t to move fast—it’s to move wisely, with support structures that make the whole venture more sustainable.

Understand the Numbers Like a Banker

This isn’t a hobby—it’s a business. Successful flippers live and breathe numbers, and seniors who want to succeed need to do the same. Knowing the after-repair value (ARV), estimating costs conservatively, and understanding market comps are all essential. But perhaps the most overlooked element is time: every week a home sits unsold, carrying costs eat into profits. Seniors often have more time to monitor projects closely and can spot budget creep or delays faster than someone juggling a full-time job. That vigilance can keep profits from slipping through the cracks.

Use Retirement Funds with Intention

One often overlooked benefit older adults have is access to retirement accounts that can be leveraged for investment. Self-directed IRAs, for example, allow property investments without incurring early withdrawal penalties. But the key is using these funds strategically—not gambling them away. A conservative, single-property investment with well-researched upside can be a smart way to test the waters without overcommitting. It’s not about flipping ten houses in a year. It’s about making one or two meaningful investments that can supplement retirement income and create long-term wealth.

Keep the Stress Low and the Satisfaction High

Unlike younger flippers trying to build empires overnight, older adults can afford to be more selective and deliberate. That slower pace allows for better decision-making and often better results. Flipping should feel exciting, not exhausting. Seniors should give themselves permission to say no to high-risk properties and avoid overly complex renovations. Working with a trusted agent who understands the goals of the project—and who isn’t pushing volume over value—can also help make the process more enjoyable. The satisfaction of seeing a once-neglected house become someone’s home is often just as fulfilling as the check at the end.

The real payoff in house flipping isn’t just in the dollars earned—it’s in the stories created. Many seniors enter the business not just for extra income but to leave something behind: a skill passed on to a grandchild, a contribution to a neighborhood’s revitalization, or simply the joy of having built something tangible in a season of life when that’s often overlooked. The combination of practical wisdom and a renewed sense of purpose makes seniors ideal candidates for flipping homes with both profit and principle. And in a market that’s always chasing the next trend, it’s this kind of grounded approach that can truly stand the test of time.

full article: Mortgage Rates Ease Slightly- Is It Enough to Grow Spring Sales?

Black Diamond:

to date: sold/pending: https://portal.onehome.com/en-US/share/1010017k44959

2024= 17 closed

BD for sale:  https://portal.onehome.com/en-US/share/1010018p61225

Pine Ridge:

sold/pending: sold TO DATE: 78

PR: for sale https://portal.onehome.com/en-US/share/1010019V26254

Citrus Hills Gated:

CITRUS HILLS (gated):  171 sold to date

for sale:  https://portal.onehome.com/en-US/share/1010020E77698

 Last week’s blog contained home maintenance issues and how to  keep your home’s value high.  This week I present articles about remodeling and updating your home. I include things for the kitchen, quartz vs granite,  and an important topic nowadays is the age of your hot water tank…when selling, insurance companies will not insure a hot water heater that’s over 15 years old. So you have a decision to make…do you replace the one you have, or do you put in a tankless system?   Bob Vila gives you some ideas on other DIY home improvements.

• Quartz Vs. Granite- Which Stone is Best For Countertops? (Southern Living Magazine)
• Heat Pump Water Heater vs. Tankless- 5 Key Comparisons (Bob Vila)
• 4 Hot Kitchen Trends- Mixed Up and Multifunctional (National Association Realtors)
• https://www.bobvila.com/diy/easy-home-improvement-projects/?utm_content=slot1_title&utm_term=Bob%20Vila_Daily_08.16.24.&utm_campaign=Bob%20Vila_Daily_Active%20Dynamic_7x&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email