kitchens, while leaving the rest of the home a mess, and still expect to sell your house for top dollar. Just be sure to address your bathroom and kitchen first, and give these areas the attention they require. Keep this in mind: Potential buyers might forgive a less-than- stellar child’s room, but a questionable bathroom or kitchen could cost you a possible sale. So, let’s get started. Now, you’ve done a deep clean of the whole house, and you most likely painted it, as well—including the bathrooms and kitchen. It’s time to move on to another important issue: appliances. This can be a good idea or a money pit. Fortunately, you can follow a few guidelines to make the big decisions. Should you buy new appliances? It depends on your situation. No doubt, new appliances make an impact with buyers. The National Association of REALTORS® did a survey of buyers in the market over the past several years and found: • Buyers were somewhat or very concerned with buying a home that featured new appliances. • Roughly 17% of the respondents preferred stainless steel. • The most important factor: appliances were available. • Most buyers who were unable to get their sought-after appliances said they would’ve been willing to pay, on average, nearly $2,000 more for them. Potential buyers want appliances included and will pay more for them, especially if they are new, or at least in excellent condition. If you can afford it, new appliances might be the feature that sets 48
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