replace it. Is the tile cracked or linoleum peeling back? It is time for a floor makeover. Be practical. You do not want potential buyers cringing at the sight of an old toilet or rusted shower head, but you want to recoup as much money as you can at the sale. If you overspend on luxuries, you may still make the sale, but not at the full amount needed for you to at least break even for your efforts. The point of much of this walk-through is that making permanent alterations that are extremely unique to you can cost you at the sale. Prospective home buyers won’t necessarily view the expensive solar system painted on the ceiling in the dining room as a benefit, and some may even want to have it removed at your expense for them to consider buying. If you’re upgrading an older, 100+year-old home to include basic systems such as air-conditioning or upgraded electric or if you are updating the ductwork or entirely replacing the heating and air units in a more recent model home, do not expect home buyers to be willing to pay the cost or for the appraisal to reflect what you spent. There are certain things home buyers take for granted, including heating and air (more common now), functional plumbing, and electricity. If a home lacks any of these the value goes down drastically. However, value is not affected when these are present, even if you were to spend thousands on the best in the industry. You may get some bonus points for more efficient and environmentally friendly equipment, but not much else. This goes also for buying new gutters. On the other hand, improvements on necessities such as new siding or a new roof will often yield a higher return than the more important but unseen repairs to electricity, piping, or central heating and air.
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