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Home improvements can help sell your home
The real estate bubble has burst, or so the economists tell us. With this current state of affairs, sellers must do all they can to make their house the most attractive one around. Buyers are more discern- ing than ever and won't settle for a subpar home when there are plenty of other options.
"Making improvements both inside and outside of the house that boost its appeal to buyers can help push a sale in the seller's favor," says Don Zeman, renowned radio personality, host of "Homefront With Don Zeman," and home improvement expert. "When homeowners can do much of the work themselves, they'll save money and hone valuable skills that can last a lifetime."
Zeman offers the following renovations and tips that could help sell a home.
• Enhance curb appeal. A home with a high "curb appeal" is one that appears inviting to prospective buyers when they first pull up to the curb to check the home out. Curb appeal has little to do with the home's condition, but lots to do with prospective buyers' perception of the home. To increase a home's curb appeal, take good care of the lawn, planting appealing flowers if necessary, and keep all bushes and trees well trimmed. Adding architectural items such as shutters, decorative trim work, new railings, or even a porch or pergola can go a long way to improving a home's appeal. For the do-it-yourselfer, project guides for these and other items can show you the way and at a discount from purchasing a finished product.
• Focus on the details. High quality details throughout a home can set it apart from others on the market, particularly in housing developments where many homes follow a common layout. Naturally, improvements will vary depending upon how much of an investment you can make. Think about updating cabinetry and countertops in kitchens, if possible. Swap out cabinet hardware and knobs and change outdated fixtures for an instant update on a budget. Adding moldings, baseboards, mantels, and custom-looking built-ins are other ways to upgrade the look and feel of a home. You'll need a good router, and there are hundreds of router bit styles to create any look you want. Precision measuring tools will assure the correct angles and dimensions.
• Paint possibilities: Nothing transforms a room faster than a new coat of paint. Neutral colors throughout the home allow potential buyers to envision their belongings and décor in your home most easily. Resist the urge to try paint treatments or texturing techniques, as anything that is difficultto change or cover-up may deter buyers. Also consider giving existing woodwork new life with an updated stain or finish.
• Keep the flooring presentable. Flooring is often a tough call for sellers. Some think the wrong flooring can make a home extremely difficultto sell, while others feel
that it's easy for prospective buyers to imagine simply pulling the carpet up, making this a nonissue. Unless the flooring is in terrible shape, with tears, chips, or lots of stains, a thorough cleaning/ resurfacing by a professional service is probably all it needs. If you want to replace the flooring, keep in mind that it could be an expensive project if you hire a professional. With a few helping hands and a little know-how, you may be able to replace a floor yourself. Determine the cost of new flooring, versus the return you'll get on that investment before beginning. Be sure to fixas many imperfections to flooring as you can before putting the house on the market if you're not going for a total replacement.
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