Installing a spacious shower, a hot tub, or an extra-large vanity topped by an oversized mirror in addition to new walls, flooring, and lighting will put your price tag on the opposite end of the spectrum. Do you need a new toilet? Get one. Is your vanity too small? Replace it. Is the tile cracked or linoleum peeling back? It’s time for a floor makeover. Be practical. You don’t want potential buyers cringing at the sight of an old toilet or rusted shower head, yet you want to recoup as much money as you can at the sale. If you overspend on luxuries, you could still make the sale, but not at the full amount needed for you to at least break even for your efforts. The point of much of this walkthrough is that making permanent alterations that are unique to you can cost you at the sale. Prospective home buyers won’t necessarily view the expensive solar system painted on the ceiling in the dining room as a benefit, and some might even want to have it removed at your expense for them to even consider buying. It’s not easy to strike a balance between what makes you happy and what will make the buyer happy, because ultimately, it’s very subjective. What you like and what the potential buyers like will differ, but you can do your best to avoid over-personalizing to help make the sale. After all, every buyer needs a place to call home, because we all know, there’s no place like it.
DON'T OVERDO IT: KEEPING YOUR MARKET AREA IN MIND
How much should you plan on upgrading during your fixer- upper? That depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. You can, after all, spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens
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