Friday, April 11, 2008

Increasing the Value of Your Home

Are you considering selling your home? Before you get the value of your home appraised and put it on the market, you might want to consider making some changes to your home that will help to improve its value. You just might be surprised by how much your home value can be improved by a few simple changes.

Creating a Modern Kitchen

One of the best ways to increase the value of your home is to update your kitchen. Most of today’s buyers are looking for large kitchens that offer plenty of workspace. Solid surface counters are also a must in an updated kitchen, as are newer appliances that are in good working order. A kitchen that opens up to another room will also be well-received by potential buyers and you should place a window over your sink whenever possible.

Updating Your Bathroom

After the kitchen, the bathroom will generally have the greatest impact on the value of your home. Bathrooms containing a whirlpool tub or spa are big sellers. Other features that homebuyers look for include separate showers that contain multiple jets or steam and double sinks. A growing number of buyers are also looking for toilets in a separate room and master baths that are nice and roomy.

The physical appearance isn’t all that matters when it comes to the bathroom, however, as the plumbing is also important. Make certain your pipes are large enough to carry enough water and that your hot water heater is big enough to keep the water at a comfortable temperature. At the very minimum, you should have a 75 gallon hot water heater, though most homebuyers will prefer a 100 or 150 gallon heater.

Going Natural

Today’s homebuyers are also looking for homes that contain natural materials. Items such as hardwood floors, ceramic tile, and granite are all positive additions to a home. When it comes to bathrooms and kitchens, buyers are especially interested in avoiding linoleum and having flooring such as wood and ceramic tile. Laminate and wood floors are more popular than wall-to-wall covering in other rooms of the house.

Providing Plenty of Storage

The more storage space you can provide, the happier your potential buyers will be. An oversized garage and attic space are both great assets. Buyers are also looking for closet space to store their personal belongings. His and hers walk-in closets are particularly attractive in the master suite. Don’t look at your basement as your storage space, as homebuyers are more interested in finished basements rather than basements filled with clutter.

Making it Light and Airy

Homes with a light and airy feeling are particularly popular. Therefore, you might want to consider adding additional lighting and finding ways to let in more natural light. Find ways to open up your home in order to create an illusion of spaciousness. Knocking out the wall between your kitchen and your dining room, for example, can really open up your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

About the Author: Shannon Kietzman is a well known author and trusted resource. Shannon regularly writes for http://www.electronicappraiser.com/, which is a leading provider of home appraisals that offers a nationwide personalized instant informational report about house values. For more information, please visit www.electronicappraiser.com .

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