Remodeling Tips That Will Impress Buyers In The Future
Pickled oak floor and cabinet finishes, whirlpool bathtubs and
indoor-outdoor carpeting were once the rage. Trends come, trends go,
but careful planning by home sellers when remodeling today can save
them time and frustration when it comes time to market their home.
Here are some tips if you are thinking about remodeling.
Choose
light to medium stain colors when refinishing or installing hardwood
floors. Black might be in, but is expensive to lighten later.
Dated ceramic tile and bathroom fixtures need more than today's paint colors and new bath rugs in buyers eyes.
Choose wall colors that let home buyers overlay their
style. Strong commitment colors can block buyers from seeing themselves
in your space.
Parquet and laminate floors might be a quick fix, but you'll pay later with low buyer perceptions of these products.
Granite countertops on 1980's oak cabinets with new hardware are a sure sign of a quick but incomplete update to buyers.
Remember to size walls before applying wallpaper, so it
is easier to remove. Home buyers shy away from homes that have any more
than one room of wallpaper. Ditto on wallpaper borders.
Think twice before converting third or fourth bedroom
to a master bath. The majority of home buyers would rather have the
flexibility of an extra room.
Install new kitchen cabinets to the ceiling, today's buyers want the utility of the extra storage 42" cabinets provide.
Buyers choose homes with first floor family rooms over
basement recreation rooms. Compare costs of adding on to the first
floor versus building out basement space.
Include generous walk-in closets, pantries and
laundries near bedrooms. Buyers may walk away from a home that can't
handle their belongings.
Consider that buyers will see your in-ground swimming pool as a negative in cold climates.
Keep finishes and proportions of new rooms similar to
existing spaces. The huge new living room with crown molding next to
the old galley kitchen with metal cabinets screams poor remodeling
planning.
Spiral staircases might solve space limitations;
buyers might stay away from a home with one, or discount your price to
add a full-size staircase.
Textured walls and popcorn ceilings are a common turn-off for buyers.
Remember to add sufficient heat and air-conditioning
when remodeling. After thought baseboard heating and the only window
air-conditioner in a centrally air-conditioned home denotes poor
planning.
Written by Mark Nash
Wondering What Your Home Is Worth? -- Let me show you.
