condition, then buyers will pay more. There’s no point in spending money if the improvements don’t add significant value or help the home sell more quickly, but there are options that won’t break the budget. Repairing and thoroughly cleaning the floors is the least expensive way. Move furniture out of the way and note condition, scratches, stains, or blemishes. Carpets can be steam cleaned to eliminate stains and odors. If the carpets are path-worn and dull, you can replace themeasily with other kinds of flooring with a reasonable ROI, although carpeting does make a room feel cozy. Laminate floors can be cosmetically fixed 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 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.
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