| Today's savvy post-real estate bubble (it's only a | | | | a mid-priced neighborhood aren't looking for high-end |
| correction) homebuyers require quality finishes and | | | | finishes.-Clean every surface until it shimmers and |
| neutral color palettes in homes they ultimately | | | | shines. Clean can seal a deal. Don't forget the |
| purchase. If you are contemplating selling your home | | | | windows.-Polish and wax hardwood floors to brighten |
| in 2006 and need to decorate before placing your | | | | and blend an old finish.-Get rid of family and highly |
| home on market remember that cutting-edge interior | | | | personal photos. Buyers can't visualize themselves in |
| design and commitment colors ( strong, bold, trendy) | | | | a home that's still territorially yours.-Edit your furniture |
| are usually a red flag to home buyers. Buyers | | | | and accessories in every room. Less is more, buyers |
| consider "visual veneer" a mask for defects in a | | | | are looking to purchase your real estate not your |
| home.After a year of property showings in 2005 and | | | | personal property.-Make sure there is balanced lighting |
| eight previous years on property searches with | | | | in every room for dusk and evening showings. |
| homebuyers as well as requests from consumers | | | | Dimmers help set the right tone.-Take the time to |
| after the review of "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling | | | | clean, organize and paint basements, attics and |
| a Home" in The New York Times I've complied a list | | | | garages. Many a home buyer has passed on a home |
| of home runs and strike-outs for those looking to sell | | | | they otherwise liked because it had a "creepy" attic |
| to home in 2006.Do's-Purchase the best quality | | | | or basement.-Invite three full-time real estate agents |
| carpet pad which can make any new carpeting | | | | to view your home before and after your interior |
| "cushy", and home buyers love cushy. Stay away | | | | design pre-market update.-Install new light switch |
| from shag styles, buyers know it won't be around | | | | covers. Most buyers interact with these on home |
| long in style cycles.-Install bamboo floors in | | | | showings. Worn or out-of-date covers lack attention |
| contempory settings, bamboo is out-pacing maple as | | | | to detail.Don'ts-Install kitchen cabinets with the |
| the "new" light colored wood floor.-Forget parquet | | | | drawer fronts stapled on, buyers look for quality |
| and veneered wood flooring. Parquet is still | | | | dove-tailed construction. |
| out-of-favor and buyers are aware that thin wood | | | | -Assume everyone loves stainless steel appliances. |
| veneer over wood products can't handle many | | | | Word-of-mouth says the cleaning requirements aren't |
| sanding's to change stain colors.-Take the time to | | | | for everyone.-Wallpaper. Buyers never have the |
| paint walls, trim and ceilings. Keep adjoining rooms in | | | | same taste as decorators. Take it down (carefully) |
| the same color palette which will make your home | | | | and paint.-Install inexpensive home-center light |
| appear larger and flow better. Clean up spills from | | | | fixtures and use interior fixtures outside. The right |
| messy painters. Hire professionals to paint mullions on | | | | fixtures say quality to buyers.-Use mirrored walls. |
| windows and staircase spindles.--Slipcover | | | | Remove all mirror's placed as backsplash's in kitchens, |
| mismatched furniture in a room that requires visual | | | | dining room accent walls, bedroom ceilings (I see |
| unification.-Streamline window fashions. Heavy drapes | | | | them way to much) and long hallways. Mirrored walls |
| are in the minority. Think "let the light shine in" when | | | | and ceilings say more about the homeowner than |
| placing placing blinds and shades. Light and bright can | | | | buyers want to know.-Block good room and house |
| overcome other issues with home.-Test all door and | | | | flow. Ackward furniture placement can make a room |
| cabinet knobs. Replace mis-matched or inexpensive | | | | feel smaller than it is. Keep in mind that groups of |
| hardware for a quick update. Buyers rarely can get | | | | people will be walking through your home |
| beyond a knob that comes off in their hand as they | | | | together.-Overlook the front door. First impressions |
| attempt to use a door.-Freshen-up closets with closet | | | | count. Paint the door, polish the hardware and |
| organizers to maximize storage space and paint a | | | | illuminate the entry area and house numbers.-Stain |
| neutral washable color. Make sure buyers can see the | | | | newly refinished floors dark colors. Buyers if they |
| back of all closets and cupboards. Lighting is often | | | | want lighter floors will factor in refinishing costs when |
| overlooked feature in closets, but buyers will always | | | | presenting an offer.-Forget to remove all dated and |
| turn on lights when viewing a closet, big or | | | | dusty sill flowers and plants. Budget for weekly fresh |
| small.-Locate wall spaces for large and flat screen tv's. | | | | flowers and potted plants while your home is being |
| They are a "must-have" for the majority of | | | | toured.-Dismiss your homes location, southwestern |
| homebuyers. Plasma tv's are quickly becommming the | | | | looks out-of-place in most northern climates and |
| "Monet" over the fireplace.-Install technology wiring | | | | contemporary is hard to pull off in a vintage saltbox |
| for high-speed Internet, cable, and wi-fi, if you have | | | | colonial.-Install inexpensive laminate flooring instead of |
| walls opened up. "Wired homes" are becoming one of | | | | hardwood in living and family rooms. Buyers walking |
| the top whistle and bells buyers demand. Don't | | | | across it, hate the hollow noise that echoes up from |
| overlook the bathrooms!-Consider the appropriate | | | | it. |
| level for finishes in kitchens and bathrooms. Buyers in | | | | |