providing a habitat for wildlife. • Add low-maintenance landscaping. Shrubs, bushes, and colorful plants will add curb appeal to your home, so “think green.” Purchase greenery that is native to your region, or plants that can survive in drought-like conditions — which means they’ll require less water and maintenance. • Improve the air in your home. If you have older carpets in your home, they could be housing contaminants and allergens. To determine if carpeting need replacing, hire a company to test your indoor air quality. If results show that your carpets should be replaced, use environmentally friendly natural products like wood, tile, or laminate floors. Hard- surface floors are much easier to clean, don’t hold odors, instantly update your home, and, in general, are more appealing to buyers. • Remove textured or “popcorn” ceilings. Popcorn ceilings date a house as few structural elements do. Remove the dated look and add to the value of your home. Beware that ceilings might contain asbestos — have yours tested professionally. Then use a solution to soften the texture, and scrape the popcorn away. Removing a popcorn ceiling may not seem like a big change but one of the keys to adding value to your home is
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