if the wood is worn or water damaged. Seek the advice of a flooring professional because real wood floors add a level of quality to a home that laminate floors can’t match.
LIGHTEN UP
Lighting your home inside and out is crucial to its aesthetics and safety. Be sure to review the tips on lighting that we discussed in Chapter 11. Increase the wattage of light bulbs in your lamps to improve artificial light. A good guideline is to use 100 watts for each 50 square feet of space.
KITCHEN AND BATH UPDATES
Here are some inexpensive ways to update the bath and kitchen:
• Replace the toilet seat. • Repair the grout in tile backsplashes, floors, and tub surrounds. • Refurbish tired-looking cabinets with fresh paint or finish.
TIPS FOR THE KITCHEN AND B CHEN AND BATH
First, determine which upgrades to your kitchen and bath that you believe constitute a substantial investment. The key is to consider mass appeal for the sake of resale value. One homeowner decided to add a backsplash and more cabinet space in the kitchen. They also updated the appliances and refinished the oak flooring. Total cost: $4,000. The seller kept the price comparable to sales in the area and ended up selling for $27,000 more than the asking price because buyers started a bidding war. You don’t need to bust your budget to sell your home, but you do want to create mass appeal. Kitchens are pivotal in-home appeal. Think about what can be done to your kitchen and bath
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