| Quick rules
of thumb: Remodeling for resale
When planning a home improvement
project, you may have favorite "must
do" projects, but it pays to design with
resale in mind. Try these seven quickies:
- Select neutral colors:
It creates a blank-canvas effect for potential buyers.
- Upgrade your kitchen first:
It's the one room buyers use consistently to determine how well a house has
been maintained.
- Paint, paint, paint:
It's the quickest and least expensive 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 ideas:
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.
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