Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Publication date: May 18, 2009
Selling your home in today's depressed market might be as ambitious as drumming up positive PR for Britney Spears. With thousands of properties for sale, buyers know they have leverage, and they're using it. They search a multitude of homes in a quest for the best combination of amenities and price.
So sellers need to fight back, preferably with broom and brush in hand.
We talked to housing experts for ideas on renovations that homeowners can make that will help their properties stand out.
Fair warning: most of these are budget-friendly, but some changes do require a little extra cash.
CURB APPEAL
This is arguably the most important part of preparing your home for sale because it's the buyer's first impression. Your home doesn't necessarily have to be repainted, but it should look fresh, with no cracked paint. Consider pressure-cleaning sidewalks, resealing the driveway and replacing the mailbox. Get rid of any debris, weeds and toys in the yard. Sprinkle mulch around the trees and trim the hedges so that they're not hiding windows. Plant colorful flowers no more than 6 inches high.
FLOORING
Wood is good, but make sure it's sanded and restained. Laminate flooring also is fine, but it should be a neutral color. Shampoo the carpet so it's free of stains and pet smells. You don't need to buy new carpeting because the home buyer will want to select it.
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