Achieving the WOW Factor

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

These days tax credits and a high housing inventory make it a buyers’ market. If you’re a seller, don’t fret. There are a variety of renovations that can help make your home stand out among the others. Buyers look at numerous homes when shopping for a home, so enhancing your home to make it more memorable is very important and increases the chances of a sale.

Getting rid of clutter, applying a fresh coat of paint, making minor repairs, and keeping a pleasant aroma are all basic techniques to make your home more appealing to buyers. But there are a few other creative enhancements that you can do to wow buyers without emptying your bank account. The results not only attract more attention, but also paint a picture of a well-cared-for home.

Although everyone doesn’t have the same taste in housing, typically buyers are attracted to larger kitchens, extra storage space, light and bright rooms, and open floor plans. Special finishing touches on a home can be the needed incentive to generate an offer.
Industry experts agree; Americans are expected to spend $217 billion on remodeling in 2009. Here are five areas where homeowners may spend some of their remodeling money to add the wow factor to your home.

1. Go green. Energy efficient products and household goods are attractive to buyers. Renovations or replacements that help make the house more energy efficient are becoming more and more popular. Things such as better insulation, replacing old windows, caulking, and adding skylights can increase value.

2. Crown molding and wider baseboards. Some homeowners are shy to experiment with this, especially if they live in a small home, but it can be very attractive in any size home. Wider baseboards. The measly baseboard that builders often use in tract homes doesn’t draw attention. Adding a wider baseboard and a fresh coat of paint makes the room come to life. Also, framing windows and doors helps complete the look of a room.

3. Textured paint. Faux finishes, accented walls, or even just a little fresh paint on them makes a lasting impression. Choose colors and textures wisely. Don’t get carried away with a color you love (e.g. purple walls—I’ve seen it in a home for sale). Remember, that you want your home to appeal to the most amount of people possible. You can always paint your new home purple—and then change it when it comes time to sell it!

4. Improved flooring. Wood, tile, and new carpet can be a showstopper. But if the flooring is chipped, torn, or dirty, you’ll get the opposite reaction from buyers. They’ll think your home hasn’t been cared for properly which could result in a lower offer — or even worse, no sale at all.

5. Add a deck. Adding a deck can add value to your home. It’s a nice feature in a yard and many buyers are happy to purchase a home that already has a deck so that they don’t have to take on that home improvement project.