Done the right way, the best home improvement projects offer a 300 to 500 percent return on investment, and with relatively little up-front cost. This has been our experience, over and over again, with dozens and dozens of clients. 

Which projects offer the biggest impact?

Usually it's the simple, low-cost projects like painting, flooring, lighting, window treatments, and cabinet hardware. Then add in a little staging and a little art, and you'll feel like you live in a brand new home. 

Would you like a complimentary cosmetics consultation for your own home? We'd love to be a resource for you and help you make the most of your investment. Contact your preferred Mad City Dream Homes realtor to schedule your own consultation. 

Are you looking to add instant value to your home and without breaking the bank? A fresh coat of paint applied by a skilled contractor always offers a great return on investment. Call us for a referral to a reputable painter. We'd love to help you make the right connection.  

Our top 10 ways to improve your home's value with paint

Here are 10 ways a skilled painter can help you prepare for a successful sale and maximize your return on investment. 

1. Replace wallpaper with a fresh coat of neutral paint.
2. Replace bold colors with neutral colors for more mass appeal. 
3. Repair surface cracks and holes in plaster and drywall.  
4. Touch-up walls with matching paint. 
5. Refresh moisture-stained windows and window sills. 
6. Touch-up doors,

How can you dramatically increase your home's value, and without breaking the bank? Usually, the answer involves low-cost, high-impact projects like paint, flooring, and light fixtures.

Are you looking for some low-cost ways to update your own home? 

Contact us for your own complimentary consultation. We'd love to visit you at your home and share our tips and advice -- and connect you with reputable and reasonably-priced contractors, too.  

Getting ready to sell? Here are ten potential projects that you should always consider as you prepare your home for the market. All of these are low-cost, high-impact projects that consistently provide a good return on investment. 

10 projects to evaluate as you prepare your home for the market

#1: Painting

#2: Light fixtures

#3: Flooring 

#4: Cabinet hardware

#5: Window treatments 

#6: Staging 

#7: Cleaning 

#8: Mulching 

#9: Weeding and trimming

#10: Exterior power washing 

What questions do you have about selling in today's market? 

Call us when you're ready for a helpful conversation. We're here to answer all of your questions and help you make your big move happen. 

Even if you don't know exactly when you're going to sell, right now is an excellent time to capture photos of your yard -- when it's lush and in full bloom.  

Planning ahead is often a good thing, especially when it comes to real estate. Which is why we're always happy to help you prepare for your future. Months, or even years, before you intend to move. 

Done the right way, many home improvement projects are an investment in your home, not an expense, and it's all about buyer psychology: 

First, the right projects eliminate buyer objections. For example, think of the purple or pink bedroom. Painting the room a neutral color adds instant value to the home simply by removing a negative. 

Second, the right improvements offer buyers instant gratification. The truth is, many buyers are willing to pay a premium for the home that's move-in-ready and well-maintained. Especially in today's economy, when good contractors can be elusive and expensive. 

Are you ready for a cosmetics consultation for your home? We'd love to help you choose the projects that offer a great return on investment, and connect you

Would you like help selecting a light fixture for a room in your home? Please feel free to call us. You have many beautiful and affordable designs to choose from, and we'd love to help you find that perfect fit.   

We admire our stager, Debbie Lea, for how she approaches her work as a craft. Not because she has to. But because she wants to. 

Over the years Debbie has modeled for each of us, over and over again, how we can view our work as an opportunity to create art. And now each of us has become a stager in our own right. 

Remember, when you hire Mad City Dream Homes to represent you during your sale, you receive Debbie's artistry (and the dedication of our entire team) free of charge. Stay tuned for a few examples of Debbie's work (and our team's work) from earlier this year....Coming soon.  

And a little love and attention from the right team of experts can make all the difference. Here are a few of our favorite shots from some of our recent smaller-sized homes and condos. These photos offer some excellent examples of how staging, lighting, hardware, and a little fresh paint can transform a room and create a sense of space. Stay tuned. Photos coming soon!  

Recently we met with our longtime client, Jeff, who asked us for our advice on how he could improve his rental property's value with a few cosmetic updates. And we had a very productive visit.

We decided that Jeff's property would shine with some fresh paint, some new light fixtures, new cabinet hardware, new kitchen flooring, and refinished hardwood floors. At the same time, we connected Jeff with a handful of reliable and reasonably-priced contractors. Now Jeff has all the resources he needs to move forward with his work. And needless to say, we're looking forward to visiting Jeff again when his projects are complete!

Do you need guidance on how you can affordably update your own home, and at the same time significantly increase its market