- Home
- Real Estate
- What the Pro's Know - Top 3 Remodeling Tips
What the Pro's Know - Top 3 Remodeling Tips
- By Ki Gray
- Published 05/28/2009
- Real Estate
- Unrated
Curb appeal is the equivalent to your perceived first impression. If you were a salesman, would it be advisable to give a "dead fish" handshake to a brand new customer? Absolutely not- the same goes for your home. You want potential buyers to be ready to get out of the car and look inside your home. As beautiful as your home may be, if the outside is not appealing, it will be very difficult to sell the inside of your home. Even if your home is not on the market, you must be conscience of curb appeal. It can make your home feel welcoming and truly a place that you and your family members want to come home to. If you're looking to boost curb appeal, try focusing on the following things:
Siding and roof- Is it in need of repair or a power-washing? Consider renting a power washer for the weekend and giving the outside of your home a good cleaning. Make sure your temperatures are above freezing before embarking on this task to ensure you don't do more harm than good.
Landscaping- Does it match your home or is it outdated? Are your trees and shrubs overgrown and covering the beauty of your home? If you are unsure, it may be a good idea to see the advice of a professional landscaper to get ideas and an estimate of how to update and improve your landscaping.
Windows, Doors and Shutters- Are you windows, doors and shutters in good condition and free from cracks and damage? If they are in need of an upgrade, consider energy efficient windows and doors, especially if you are considering selling your home. These are important features to energy conscience home buyers.
Porch- Is your porch welcoming, clean and clutter free? Ensure your porch reflects the comfort and style of your home by not stacking or storing junk on the porch and making it a welcoming and beautiful retreat.
When it comes to your kitchen, this is generally
one of the first rooms a prospective buyers looks at. Modern kitchens function as the life of the home, which is much different from the kitchens of the past. No longer are kitchens tucked away and isolated- they are now as much as an entertaining area and gathering place as they are an area for cooking. Even if your home layout does not promote this type of feeling, there are things you can do to make it feel welcoming and modern. Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the room to revive and liven the environment. Ensure that the paint and decor selected complements the kitchen cabinets so as to not detract from the room. Also, do a little bit of clean up work and remove as much clutter and items from your countertops as possible. Finally, take a look at the floor. Is your flooring in good shape, free of marks and chips, or does it need a little TLC?
If you can only make one update to your kitchen, focus on the most important: your cabinets. The cabinetry sets the tone for your kitchen, so an update to these can instantly revitalize the entire room. If you can't afford cabinet replacement, consider re-staining, re-facing or repainting your cabinets, all of which are more cost friendly options to total replacement. And, don't forget to update the hardware on the cabinets to complete the look of your new kitchen.
Finally, your bathrooms, even in spite of their small size, pack a lot of punch. They are the most frequently used room in your home by guests, so it is important that it is a welcoming and clean environment. Fortunately, in light of its typically low square footage, bathrooms are quickly and readily updated. They are also very important to prospective buyers. Some things to consider in a bathroom update are storage space, lighting, cabinetry and fixtures. Ensure all of these items are updated, clean and not in need of repair. It is also important to ensure these elements do not reflect a dingy feeling. You want to make sure it does not feel old, worn out and dingy- focus on fresh and updated.
Siding and roof- Is it in need of repair or a power-washing? Consider renting a power washer for the weekend and giving the outside of your home a good cleaning. Make sure your temperatures are above freezing before embarking on this task to ensure you don't do more harm than good.
Landscaping- Does it match your home or is it outdated? Are your trees and shrubs overgrown and covering the beauty of your home? If you are unsure, it may be a good idea to see the advice of a professional landscaper to get ideas and an estimate of how to update and improve your landscaping.
Windows, Doors and Shutters- Are you windows, doors and shutters in good condition and free from cracks and damage? If they are in need of an upgrade, consider energy efficient windows and doors, especially if you are considering selling your home. These are important features to energy conscience home buyers.
Porch- Is your porch welcoming, clean and clutter free? Ensure your porch reflects the comfort and style of your home by not stacking or storing junk on the porch and making it a welcoming and beautiful retreat.
When it comes to your kitchen, this is generally
If you can only make one update to your kitchen, focus on the most important: your cabinets. The cabinetry sets the tone for your kitchen, so an update to these can instantly revitalize the entire room. If you can't afford cabinet replacement, consider re-staining, re-facing or repainting your cabinets, all of which are more cost friendly options to total replacement. And, don't forget to update the hardware on the cabinets to complete the look of your new kitchen.
Finally, your bathrooms, even in spite of their small size, pack a lot of punch. They are the most frequently used room in your home by guests, so it is important that it is a welcoming and clean environment. Fortunately, in light of its typically low square footage, bathrooms are quickly and readily updated. They are also very important to prospective buyers. Some things to consider in a bathroom update are storage space, lighting, cabinetry and fixtures. Ensure all of these items are updated, clean and not in need of repair. It is also important to ensure these elements do not reflect a dingy feeling. You want to make sure it does not feel old, worn out and dingy- focus on fresh and updated.
Ki Gray
Ki lives in the Austin area and has worked in the Austin real estate market for almost 10 years. He created a website for future owners to research Austin TX real estate. His site also has information on mortgage rates and a graphical Austin MLS search.
View all articles by Ki Gray