I spend a portion of each day searching for properties for my clients, I’ve read thousands of property descriptions and feel like I’ve looked at millions of photos.  One constant theme seems to run true, updates are being confused for upgrades.

I know the word ‘upgrade’ sounds luxurious, but how often is it used to describe the replacement of something that was worn out with something, well, that isn’t special, it’s just new.  Upgrades are “quality improvements” over and above what you expect to find.

I like to think of it this way…  Have you ever flown ‘First Class’?  it is definitely an upgrade.  It’s not just new upholstery on a coach seat.

No doubt in my mind that this is an ‘First Class’ kitchen, how about you? [photo Courtesy of Kitchen Art Design Center of Orlando].

I think much of the confusion started when Home Builder’s starting charging for items that should have been ’standard’, but instead they found a new revenue tool to increase profits.  Builder “Upgrades” are a high profit- low expense option…

What does this mean to you… a Lake Mary home buyer or seller?  In today’s market, where competition is fierce and home buyers are looking for the best ‘deal’, they won’t  pay more for updates, they have come to expect them.  The truth of the matter for homeowners is that upgrades often won’t fetch a high percentage return on investment in the current market climate, but they will help attract buyers and get the deal done.