How to Modernize Your Home’s Marketability

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Real Estate, Shout Outs, Uncategorized

The ‘70s and ‘80s left their mark indelibly everywhere you look. From the clothing to haircuts to music and lifestyles. Some buildings and houses still scream 1980. We all can relate to something that we remember from that era. And a lot of those things are daily reminders when we open the bathroom door in our house. When it comes to marketability of a house in this real estate market, there a few things to consider.

The décor of this time was cool in its day. Wacky colors. Bold schemes. Shag carpeting. But this is now 2009. These things may still hold some nostalgic value to you. But if you want to sell your house and maximize the profit, take a second look at a few things in your home that could be modernized.

•    Wild paint schemes were fun to think of and create. But now they need to be covered up.
•    Beveled glass and brass light fixtures should be taken down and donated to the local antique shop.
•    Wacky textures of wallpapers should be taken off the wall and given a Viking’s funeral. They do burn nicely by the way!
•    Goldenrod and avocado are nice crayon colors, but not so much for bathroom fixtures. They too can be donated or recycled.

All of these things are relatively inexpensive things that can be done on a weekend or two. Plan carefully and shop around for the best deals. In today’s economy, everyone seems to be having some type of sale.

 Some simple tips would be:

•    Replace the green and blue paint with a neutral color like off-white or antique white. Remember to repair any of the surfaces before painting. Use an eggshell finish if the walls are less than perfect.
•    Change the light in the entryway or foyer to a pendant or a ceiling hugging light. Flashy lighting is no longer the style. Use something that is effective and cost efficient. 1 bulb is much friendlier than 6 or 7.
•    Wallpaper should be taken down properly. Take your time to do it right. If you desire, you can use a natural texture like bamboo or sea grass. Or any other type of naturally textured wall covering.
•    Bathroom lighting and fixture updating is probably the hardest and most expensive of them all. But the trade off is a ‘wow’ instead of an ‘oh’! The toilets, sinks and faucets should be updated for the most modern look possible. Simple wall fixtures can make a world of difference.

And let’s don’t forget the most important room in the house…the kitchen. If it looks old and outdated, your house will be for sale for a longer time than you originally planned for. You don’t have to spend a fortune to update your cabinets and countertops. Shop around and get creative.

Look around the rest of your house. Does the ceiling still have popcorn on it? If it does, the best thing to do is to have a professional remove it for you. Then you can have the ceiling covered with a nice Spanish lace texture that can be painted and cleaned when necessary. That is a must if you want to get top dollar for your home.

Mirrors are nice if they are framed and small and hung on the wall. The older wall-to-wall mirror style is out. This is a fad that is probably gone for good. Mirrors on bi-fold doors are okay in a bedroom if the room allows them, but shouldn’t be used in just any room in your house. Tasteful placement goes a long way.

And finally, look at the finishing touches like blinds and drapes. Old, dingy, dusty drapes should be sent to the same Viking funeral as the wallpaper. Vertical and horizontal blinds are nice additions and very functional as well. And they don’t have to be expensive to do a good job. It just requires a little thought.

These few simple steps can certainly help you sell your house a little faster and get the most bang for your buck. And in today’s real estate market, every little bit helps. So have fun and enjoy your new, more modernized digs.