hether
you’re thinking of preparing your home to sell in 2009 or just staying
put...here’s that golden list! Trends come and go… but here’s what’s
hot for 2009:
1. Create
Space:
Buyers are looking for space—open spaces that create a sense of flow.
For a few hundred dollars, you can transform the feel of your house and
have your house stand out!
2. Prune,
Limb and Landscape:
We all know that Curb Appeal is King...buyers need to see the house.
Don’t let overgrown landscaping obscure the view.
Remember—landscaping is one of the top three investments that bring
the biggest return.
3. Let
in the Light:
It’s the number one item to boost your value! It’s as easy as installing
dimmer switches to light tubes (aka light pipes, sunscoops and tubular
skylights). Make sure, as well, that windows open properly and place
lights in dark corners.
4. Don’t
Put Off Care & Maintenance:
Back to
basics here...insulate the attic, repair plumbing leaks, repair leaky
windows. After 30 years of showing houses, I can always tell whether a
house has deferred maintenance by the grout condition in the tub.
5. Go
Green:
Living Green in our homes by updating heating and cooling systems can
save up to 30 to 40%. If you install a solar-powered water heater, you
could receive $2,100 back in green tax credits for that $7,000
unit/installation...best of all you’ll save 80% on your water-heating
bill. For the “green conscious” buyers, these kind of updates are
enticing. Buyers have, for years, asked about gas and electric bills.
Going green makes your home more desirable to the energy-conscious
buyers.
6. Home
Begins at the Front Door:
Take a
good look at your front entrance. Is the door beautiful? Are the door
knobs/locks clean and working? How about an overhang to add substance to
your entrance. Look at your home’s entrance with a discriminating eye.
7. What’s
Under Your Feet?
Flooring is
really important—but it doesn’t have to cost a bundle. On average, if
you invest $600 to $900 in flooring, you can expect a return in value up
to $2,000. It’s advised to repair squeaks, damaged floor boards and
pitch that old wall-to-wall worn carpet. Consider cork, engineered
hardwoods as replacements. Go neutral with tiles to coordinate with
various décors.
8. Easy
Bath Upgrades:
It doesn’t
have to be expensive. Clean that grout, replace the frosted shower
glass for clear glass, use fresh caulk, update doorknobs and replace
faucets.
9. Neutral
Wall Colors:
Especially if you’re thinking of selling…
10. Remove
the Question Marks from Your House:
Get rid of
the “what’s that?” factor...green and blue vinyl flooring, a cracked
threshold, etc. The more questions, the more buyers are likely to say,
“We don’t want
that
house.” v
Source: This Old House, January 2009
