Making sure your home is designed to sell does take a little work. The good news is you will receive a return on your investments of time of and money. Think of staging your home as engaging in a contest, or more accurately, a competition. You are competing with sellers in the area who have comparable homes. The "winner" is the homeowner with the most to offer for the asking price.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose Color Carefully

You’ve likely heard that neutrals are the best choice. While this is true, there are some things to consider when choosing neutrals. For example, brown is considered a neutral, but if the buyer doesn’t like it, he or she will likely lower the offer with thoughts of repainting in mind. Painting over a dark color can be difficult too, so choose colors that are not hard to cover.

Also, choose "new neutrals" instead of bland colors. New neutrals are simply warmer than the typical whites, beiges, and grays. A hint of color will not only make a space feel warmer, but richer and more elegant. Luscious caramel latte sounds much more appealing than boring beige. Give your color some flavor.

Avoid white, even though it is a neutral. You don’t want to project hospital room or doctor’s office. Sure, you want each space to be bright and to feel crisp and clean, but stark white goes beyond that and can feel cold and sterile. If you must have white, at least add a tint to bring the coolness down a bit.

If you think a sunny yellow kitchen is the best thing since sliced bread, make sure the yellows you choose are rich, deep tones. Look to your spice rack and think golden saffron instead of primary or pastel yellow. Rich colors make a home feel more regal.

Update Without Renovating

You don’t have to replace cabinetry, but if it is outdated, it’s best to freshen it up. Cabinet re-facing is an option that not only makes cabinets look new, but it costs much less and requires far less stress than demolition and reinstallation.

You can simply paint your cabinets to get a fresh new look or you can add real wood veneers or have your cabinets professionally refaced. There are several different options to choose from depending on your other design elements. Replace existing hardware to coordinate with the new look.

Even if you decide not to reface your cabinets, give them a good cleaning and polishing. Then, change out the cabinet hardware to give cabinetry a fresher, more modern look. This is a simple, affordable way to get an instant update.

Flooring Fixes

The flooring products available today making changing worn, outdated flooring much simpler and more cost effective. Peel and stick tiles have been revolutionized and are now very attractive and long lasting. Carpet tiles are also a fantastic product that most any homeowner can install. They tend to be very affordable and are available in a great variety of styles and colors. One of the best things about carpet tiles is that just one section can be replaced if the carpet becomes damaged or stained.

If you are unable to replace existing flooring at this time, there is no reason it has to detract from your other design elements. Different types of flooring can be painted with special primers and paints and then treated with polyurethane to protect them. That old brown and orange checkered linoleum will look far less tired and outdated when painted a solid, soft caramel color.

You can also take advantage of great area rugs. Paint the floor or clean the existing carpet and then cover the majority of the less than attractive flooring with a great area rug. Be sure to include the rug in the sale of the home.

*These simple fixes will go a long way toward making your home show as the better value.

Jason Ladock

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