driving around areas they like and looking at neighborhoods they think might be in their price range. Stone walks, hanging vines, and attractive flora will catch a buyer’s eye. You should, at a bare minimum, present an image of a well-cared-for house that’s in solid condition. Standing out a little bit is not a bad thing, but don’t overdo it. Some agents say that the longer you are in the house after the renovation, the more likely you are to recoup the costs, as home prices tend to go up over time and natural appreciation will absorb whatever costs you incurred. Obviously, this doesn’t help if you’re trying to do a quick flip. TIP: if you are doing a quick flip, REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE LIVING IN THE HOME. Don't make the renovations solely based off of your emotions and tastes, but instead, by looking at the neighborhood and given comparable sales. On the other hand, other real estate professionals say that the more recent the renovation, the more likely a buyer will see that it is new and assign more value to it. If your privacy fence or bathroom are a few years old, they will have begun to show normal signs of age and blend into the rest of the property. In any renovation, whether it’s landscaping, doorways, or kitchens, don’t try to meet the highest demands of fashion. Make it contemporary, but don’t go for the bleeding edge of home design. If you do this, you’re going to spend too much money and price your home out of the market. In short, keep it simple, and remember that less is often more. Minor projects, like replacing exterior doors, putting fresh stain on the deck and a fresh coat of paint, are more likely to aid your home sale and result in a good ROI than larger projects such as wholesale reconstructions and outbuilding additions.
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