| Remodeling just doesn't pay off like it did just a few | | | | 4. Don't jumble up your home's floor plan. One of the |
| years before. | | | | worst examples I've seen is a home where a couple |
| Of course the expenses of home improvement seem | | | | took out the closets from 2 bedrooms, instantly |
| outrageous to me. And the contractors you pay to do | | | | lowering the value of their own home. They turned |
| the remodeling often don't do the quality job they say | | | | their house from a 4 bedroom into a 2 bedroom. |
| they can do. It got me into the do it yourself stuff. I | | | | Bedrooms have to have closets and egress in most |
| realized I could do many things better than people who | | | | community codes to be designated bedrooms. |
| claimed professional capability. I'm a little blond lady. If I | | | | 5. Get rid of wallpaper. Home buyers don't like it and |
| can do things, others can, too. | | | | they do not want to go to the difficulty and cost of |
| In a real estate market where a capable buyer is | | | | removing it. It also tends to date properties in a bad |
| golden your property either has to be perfect or it has | | | | way. Simple paint is so much safer and easier to |
| to be a significant bargain. | | | | refresh. |
| But if you can do some of the work yourself, it limits | | | | 6. One of the surest ways to attract a home buyer is |
| your financial risk and may make it viable for you to do | | | | to have a newer roof on you house. People love new |
| good work and not borrow money. These 2 factors | | | | roofs. I pay pros for that job. |
| change everything. | | | | 7. Do things inexpensively, but make sure they don't |
| Nothing about this is easy, but it is attainable. | | | | look shoddy. I once refaced a big kitchen for $1,200 |
| Striking the happy medium between having an | | | | and some of our own labor. It sold my property. |
| attractive home or one that's WAY overpriced isn't | | | | 8. Pay attention to curb appeal. A cute house will sell |
| easy. | | | | easier and faster than other properties, even ones that |
| Here are some guidelines that may help you decide | | | | have been extensively remodeled. |
| what to do and how to do it. | | | | 9. Repair, reuse and recycle existing materials and |
| 1. Forget about custom kitchens and granite counter | | | | things you find that may improve your home and not |
| tops. Virtually no one will pay you the full cost of these | | | | cost a lot of $$$. |
| very high-priced upgrades. However there are things | | | | 10. Pay as you go. Don't finance improvements on |
| you can do for lots less $$$. Paint may make your | | | | credit. It's too pricey. |
| kitchen look a lot more attractive. | | | | It's always important to maintain your house. Keeping |
| 2. A second bathroom can make your home more | | | | on top of these things makes it easier to sell a home |
| attractive without a lot of expense. Homes with 1 bath | | | | quickly when you need to move on, whatever the |
| are a tough sell. 2 baths work better. | | | | reason. |
| 3. If all the properties in your neighborhood are the size | | | | And finally, if you have substantial equity you may be |
| of your home, don't add on while remodeling. You may | | | | able to offer owner financing. It's a great way to sell a |
| never get the extra price to cover the costs to do the | | | | property, even one that's less than perfect. |
| work. | | | | |