Resale

A lot of people have the value of their home on the brain.  Some people are scared to make changes because they don't want to sink too much money into a project that won't help them sell the house later.  While I'm not a realtor, I can tell you that kitchens & bathrooms are where the focus should be.  If you are looking to spend some cash and update your home you want to start with those two rooms.  Be forewarned- they can also be the most expensive rooms to update.  Everything from plumbing to cabinets to lighting and floors can be in need of replacing, but you have to prioritize and have a budget in mind.  There are some common missteps people make.  Here are some tips to help you avoid them:

1. Cabinets are not easy to replace, countertops are.  Put the money into a quality cabinet so that the foundation of you kitchen is sturdy.  This may mean you can't opt for granite counters now, but that is something a future buyer can update with ease.

2. Poor quality work means more work later.  Selecting your contractor based on the lowest bid or trying to do a project yourself will usually result in re-doing the job down the road.  Nothing is worse than a bad inspection report scaring your buyers away.  Get the job done right the first time and you'll benefit from it in the end!

3.  Research products & homes in your area.  Before you splurge for that top-of-the-line stove, be sure other homes in your price range have them.  Instead of blindly going into the bathroom fixture store to buy those massaging body sprays for the shower, research which brand has the best reviews.  The more you know about what you're spending and what you can sell for, the happier you will be at the closing table.

Happy resale!!