Q: Hi Jo. I'm making some renovations to my house before putting it on the market. What should I do to maximize my investment? What should I stay away from? --Glen, Maryland
A: Glen. I am so, so glad you asked. This is a topic near and dear to my heart, as many well-intentioned homeowners are putting money into renovations that not only don't do anything for their houses, but can actually HURT their resale value! This is a huge topic, so let's just start where many homeowners make their biggest mistakes: the kitchen.
In The Kitchen...
Rule #1: NO BROWN GRANITE! People put brown granite in because they think it's neutral. But guess what? It's a huge turnoff to buyers, especially in the trendy and hip Northeast LA area. Instead, opt for butcher block, poured concrete, or reconstituted glass. Just...NO BROWN GRANITE.Rule #2: Keep all of your appliances one color. Preferably, that color is stainless steel. Whatever you do, no hodge podge.
Rule #3: Install big sinks and sturdy chef's faucets. Spring for the extra $20 and get a nice faucet. It's a cheap fix that adds a lot of value.
Rule #4: "Mr./Ms. Homeowner, Tear Down This Wall!" If structurally possible, tear down any wall that closes off the kitchen to create an open kitchen floor plan. People love to be able to cook and entertain at the same time.
In The Rest Of The House...
Rule #5: Paint the whole house white, and decorate with color accents. Remember, white is not the same as cream or beige. White is fresh, crisp, and trendy; cream is the color equivalent of driving a Volvo station wagon in a scratchy wool sweater.Rule #6: Get rid of popcorn ceilings! Popcorn is great at the movie theater. Avoid it when it comes to decorating.
Rule #7: Don't store your junk in the garage; instead, paint it and stage it as a usable space like an office. Many homeowners miss out on the chance to showcase the versatility of their garage spaces!
Rule #8: For the love of all things good, do NOT replace original windows! Home buyers are looking for the real deal.
For more detail, check out my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsL5FtAez9U
I could go on and on, and...I will! Come back next week and I'll post some more "do this, not thats" when it comes to renovating your home. Cheers, Glen!
Got a real estate/neighborhood question? Email me at askjo@theokeygroup.com. Interested in seeing homes currently on the market in NELA? Check here: http://www.jorealestate.com/idx/search/
See you next week!