Th ere’s no point in spending money unnecessarily if the improvements don’t add sign ifi cant 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 fl oors are the least expensive way—by and large—to bring them up to salable standards. Take stock of your home’s fl ooring 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 fl ooring with a reasonable ROI, although carpeting does make a room feel cozy. Laminate fl oors can be repaired cosmetically with repair kits found at home improvement stores. Hardwood fl ooring can be easily re fin ished if the wood is worn or water damaged. Seek the advice of a fl ooring professional because real wood fl oors add a level of quality to a home that laminate fl oors can’t replicate. TIPS FOR KITCHEN AND BATH Th e fir st thing to determine in making upgrades to your kitchen and bath is what you believe constitutes a substantial investment. Th e 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. Th ey also updated the appliances and re fin ished the oak fl ooring. Total cost: $4,000. Th e 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 83
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