Quick rules of thumb when you remodel for resaleBy
Jay MacDonald • Bankrate.com When
planning a home improvement project you may have favorite "must do"'
projects, but it pays to design with resale in mind:
Select neutral colors: It creates a
blank canvas effect for potential buyers.
Upgrade your kitchen first: It's the
room buyers use consistently to determine how well a house has been maintained.
Paint, paint, paint: It's the quickest and most inexpensive
makeover technique. If the exterior paint is faded or weather-beaten, a fresh
coat of paint is a cost-effective sales tool.
Hide those flaws: Textured wallpapers and
faux wall finishes hide a multitude of surface flaws.
Focus on floors: Whether wood, tile, laminate
or vinyl, make sure they're inviting, not cracked or discolored. Again, neutrals
sell best, natural wood best of all.
Cost-cutting: Use wood or tile to dress up laminate
countertops; stencil that backsplash instead of installing tile; consider marble
sheets instead of ceramic tile for that tub surround.
Keep all options open: One man's workshop
is another man's wine cellar. Don't eliminate options when you remodel rooms.
Jay MacDonald is a
freelance writer based in Florida
-- Posted: April 7, 2003
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