AMEX By the Numbers

Sandia Mt views from 46 Camino Barranca

Echo Research has just completed its random samples of 2000 adults for American Express.  It looks like the discretionary income of Americans will be spent in much the same way but perhaps a little more spending in 2012 than in 2011.  56% expect to spend more on in-home decorating, travel, remodeling/home improvement, health and fitness.  Among the affluent (those making $100.000 or more) and young professionals (those who have had a college education, are less than 30 years old, and make a minimum of $50,000 per year) both groups prioritize travel/vacation spending first.

Home buying will be about equal to renting in 2012;  Open House “crashing” will be popular to the curious who seek design inspiration; and consumers still don’t feel they would get the asking price for their home  in today’s housing market.  Many are thinking: fix it up, sell it and reinvest.

Top Ten Home Improvements

It may not be David Letterman worthy, but if you're considering improvements/changes in order to sell your home, the following improvements are considered the most beneficial in their rate of return.

1) Lighten and brighten -- 769% return

2) Clean and de-clutter -- 594% return

3) Fix plumbing/electrical -- 196% return

4) Landscape and trim -- 266% return

5) Staging -- 169% return

6) Paint interior walls -- 63% return

7) Kitchen/bath upgrades -- 138% return

8) Repair flooring -- 50% return

9) Paint exterior walls -- 34% return

10) Replace carpeting -- 39% return