okREblog - It’s All REALative

A few years ago, the NAR published this list of ways to spruce up your home, and I figure it’s worth revisiting:

• Trim bushes so they don’t block windows and cut down on light.

• Buy a new doormat.

• Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.

• Put new doorknobs on your doors.

• Put a fresh coating on your driveway.

• Edge the grass around walks and trees.

• Keep your garden tools out of site.

• Be sure kids put away their toys.

• Buy a new mailbox.

• Upgrade the outside lighting.

• Use warm, incandescent light bulbs for a homey feel.

• Polish or replace your house numbers.

• Clean your gutters.

• Put out potpourri or burn scented candles.

• Buy new pillows for the sofa.

• Buy a flowering plant and put it in a window you pass by frequently.

• Make a centerpiece for your table with fruit or artificial flowers.

• Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.

• Buy new towels.

• Put a seasonal wreath on your door.

As we all know, and I continuously state here, it’s vitally important to the sale of your home to take care of the ‘little things.’  What may seem small and trivial to you and me may just be the one thing that the buyer walking through your door has a pet peave about.  I live by the ‘EVERYTHING MATTERS’ credo when it comes to marketing a home.

I’m curious, what other ‘little things’ make a difference in the way a home appeals to you?

Consistently improving on your home is one of the best investments you can make.  Nothing makes your home more appealing to buyers than shiny new things.  Pretty surfaces, modern technology, and up-to-date decor will bring out the checkbooks every time.

Sometimes these improvements can really get expensive though, so when it’s an option, consider the DIY way.  Personally, I enjoy do-it-yourself projects.  They allow my creative side to come out and demolition is a great way to take out some frustration!  The real benefit in the DIY approach though, is the savings.  It’s estimated that about 70% of all home improvement expenses are the cost of labor, so if you have the time and the abilities, why not save that 70% and increase your ROI even more?!

Here’s an informative wikiHow on installing kitchen cabinets.  I hope this helps, and you’ll find that I post a lot of this kind of information, so subscribe to the blog or the newsletter and before you know it you’ll be remodelling your entire house…  What a great way to spend your weekends!