There’s no point in spending money unnecessarily if the improvements don’t add significant value or help the home sell more quickly, but you do have options that don’t break the budget. Repairs and thorough cleaning of your floors are the least expensive way—by and large—to bring them up to salable standards. Take stock of your home’s flooring by moving furniture out of the way and noting condition, scratches, stains, or blemishes. List what needs to be replaced, cleaned, or repaired. Carpets can be steam cleaned to eliminate stains and odors. If the carpets are path-worn and dull, you can replace them easily with other kinds of economical flooring with a reasonable ROI, although carpeting does make a room feel cozy. Laminate floors can be repaired cosmetically with repair kits found at home improvement stores. Hardwood flooring can be easily refinished 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 replicate.
TIPS FOR KITCHEN AND BATH
The first thing to determine in making upgrades to your kitchen and bath is what you believe constitutes 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
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