My New Blog

Contractors, you might want to click away from this blog!  I am talking to the soon to be sellers that would like the biggest bang for the buck.  Yes, buyers love homes that have gorgeous kitchens and have been completely gutted and smell like a new home at a decade old price...but, we are talking your dollars and cents here. 

Gutting an outdated kitchen might make a buyer buy your home quicker but an appraiser will not give you dollar for dollar on the remodel.  You can save your money if you clean the cabinets, invest in some new updated hardware and if the appliances are broken down, get some new, nice looking but not top of the line.  You will not have a chance to enjoy this feature so don't spend the money on your dream ensemble.  Tip: if you can't get stainless (clean) steel, get the black.  Buyers seem to be over the white and the ivory that is now resurfacing has a "dingy look" to the buyers. 

Paint Paint Paint.  You can make a home look neat and new-like with an interior and exterior paint job.  If you don't do painting or do it sloppy like me (My husband had to repaint everything I painted so he prefers I not pick up the brush anymore!) and you need a contractor to give a professional paint job, I can get you some names!  Freshen up with neutral not white.  Touch up the trim.

Simplify and minimize.  You will be moving soon anyway so why not pack up the excess piles (everyone has those right?), rent a storage unit or neatly stack in the garage or attic and "stage your home".  Yep, I said it...Declutter, Declutter, Declutter, Declutter!

Finally, the best improvement you can do is grab the trash can and duster and clean.  If this isn't in your schedule, hire it done.  Better yet, hire them for the full listing period until the home sells.  It is a lot less expensive still if you pay out a couple of hundred to have everything show ready than to renovate and not be able to enjoy it!

Less stress, less money and likely, less time on the market!  Make your home shine!