Bay Area Realtor Yelena Vayn practices what she preaches to clients. While house hunting in 2024, she and her husband, Igor Sydorenko, fell in love with the character and views from their 1950s-built home in Walnut Creek. But they knew it needed work, TLC, and updates.
“I often tell clients that buying a home is just the first step. Figuring out how to make it yours is the real journey. Now, I’m living that journey myself,” she reveals about having her own home remodeled. “There’s no right or wrong answer regarding trade-offs between buying a move-in-ready home versus taking on renovations. It all depends on what works for anyone’s lifestyle, budget, and vision.”
Yelena says she’s guided clients through renovations before, for selling or investment purposes, or after buying, but going through with it firsthand "has been a whole different experience.”
She recommends that new homebuyers focus on cosmetic renovations, such as fresh paint, new flooring, and touches that make houses feel cleaner and renewed. Larger projects, like landscaping and structural changes, can be handled in phases over time.
“My biggest surprise was how quickly small projects add up! While fixing one thing, we typically uncovered more to fix in the process,” she says.
However, going through the renovation process herself now has made her an even stronger advocate for clients. “I understand firsthand the emotions, decisions, and challenges that come with buying a home and balancing long-term goals,” she says.
Whether buying, selling, or remodeling, Yelena states having a plan, the right team, and a little patience makes all the difference.
This Keller Williams Realtor believes homes are more than just places to live: they’re reflections of lifestyles. “That’s exactly why we chose Walnut Creek. We sensed it offers the perfect balance of nature, community, and convenience. From gorgeous hiking trails and the super fun, vibrant downtown to peaceful neighborhoods and a strong sense of community, it truly felt like the ideal place to plant our roots and create a home we truly love,” she states.
She suggests considering a few tips before starting renovations—sometimes, even simple things like cabinet handles and paint choices can shift budgets. She also encourages everyone to test paint colors on a larger wall section before committing to one, just to see how it looks in different lighting conditions and how it interacts with existing room elements. Sometimes, one project leads to another, and then suddenly, entire spaces need to be rethought, or previously unknown problems are uncovered.
Yelena advises first-time remodelers to set a budget and add 20% or more for unexpected costs. Be flexible with timelines, as even well-planned projects can take longer than expected. It is also important to pick battles wisely, as some updates are worth the investment, while others are purely cosmetic. Renovations can be disruptive so one should expect stress as it's part of the process.
Some of the spring 2025 home remodeling trends Yelena has noticed include a shift away from cool gray aesthetics to warmer tones, natural wood finishes, and layered, inviting textures.
“More buyers are valuing the connection to nature. So indoor-outdoor living is a priority, whether it’s patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens or fire pits, people are making the most of their yards,” she says.
Big kitchen islands with seating are still a top request. “Open-concept layouts are evolving not just about space, but about creating friendly, functional areas.”
Energy efficiency is also popular, with solar panels, well-insulated windows, and upgraded HVAC systems.
Statement bathrooms are also becoming a real design feature, Yelena concludes. “Some custom homes have a completely unique look for every bathroom, with bold tile, floating vanities, and custom spas.”
She also believes that kitchens and bathrooms still are spaces that yield the highest return on investment.
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