Page 108 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2017

HOME & GARDEN updated
itchens and
HOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT ADD VALUE
Home owners know that home maintenance and improvements are ongoing challenges. However, if there’s a possibility the home will be for sale in the near or distant future, all improvements are not equal when it comes to return on investment. Three Coast realtors — Amy Wood, Danny Lee and Chester Harvey — share their thoughts on getting the best bang for the buck with home improvements. Maybe you’ve always heard that kitchen and bath improvements sell homes? These professionals say it’s still true.
Baths
story by Lynn Lofton
“Kitchens, more than any other room, sell a home, so it’s important to have it in good shape prior to selling,” says Amy Wood, owner/broker of Amy Wood Properties. “That does not mean you must spend tens of thousands on a new kitchen because then you won’t get your investment back. But you need to make it functional, make minor repairs and make sure appliances are sparkling.”
Painting walls, updating cabinet hardware, replacing counter tops and making sure bathrooms are clean and updated are also important, she adds.
“De-clutter and de-personalize as much as possible. You want the buyer to imagine himself in your home and not get distracted by personal photos and a messy house,” Wood said. “If the house is severely cluttered, hire a professional organizer. Walk through the house with the eyes of a buyer and critique everything — the loose stair railings, the dog-chewed baseboard, the dirty filters, and burned out lights.”
Other tips include:
• Let the light in; open blinds. Buyers respond to houses that have light.
• If there is wallpaper or brightly colored rooms, give them a neutral palette. No need to paint the entire house if a magic eraser will do.
• Spruce up the exterior with pressure washing or maybe repainting the front door and adding some landscaping. Make buyers want to see inside.
• Adding insulation or insulated windows will add value.
• Make sure the roof is in good condition. Buyers always ask the age of the roof.
108 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2017
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