Wise remodeling pays off when selling home

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Fixing up the place is what a lot of prospective sellers think about when they decide to put their home on the market. Some fixes are tried-and-true; some are trendy and some tend not to work very well.|ret||ret||tab|

"Whenever people sell a property, sometimes they have a tendency to do more than necessary," said Paul Dizmang, owner/broker of Dizmang Associates-First Choice Real Estate. "They will put more money into it than they can get out of it; over-improve it. It may be what they want, but not necessarily what the general public wants." |ret||ret||tab|

He cites the example of a seller who installed hot pink carpet. |ret||ret||tab|

While it matched the decor, it didn't make it more appealing to prospective buyers, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Quick fixes|ret||ret||tab|

Most Realtors suggest keeping the repairs simple.|ret||ret||tab|

Painting is an inexpensive way to make a house look better. When doing so, opt for neutral colors rather than a color you might personally prefer, said Tom Kissee, a broker with Tom Kissee Real Estate Co.|ret||ret||tab|

"Think light and bright. Light paint can really freshen up dark paneling and dark rooms. Well-lit and bright rooms feel bigger," said Kissee. " The house must be clean and uncluttered, well-lit with soft music and pleasant aromas." |ret||ret||tab|

Dizmang said reducing clutter is the "number one thing to do. The way you live in a home and the way you show a home are two different styles."|ret||ret||tab|

Keep hallways and walkways free of furniture, organize closets, make beds and clear kitchen counters, which makes the kitchen look bigger. These are easy fixes that appeal to buyers, Dizmang said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Scented candles are nice. One is fine, but 10 are too many. If it is too scented, that makes people think you're trying to cover up something," Dizmang said.|ret||ret||tab|

Renting a storage building for extra furniture and other items helps a house show better, said Realtor Laura Roberts with ERA-Jones Rutherford.|ret||ret||tab|

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Bigger budget remodels|ret||ret||tab|

Kitchens and bathrooms are often remodeled and updated to prepare a house for sale. |ret||ret||tab|

"The biggest renovation I see most people continue to do is the kitchen remodel. For years it has been the number one recuperation of money spent when it comes to resell," said Dizmang.|ret||ret||tab|

One trend is putting new countertops in kitchens. |ret||ret||tab|

"The granite-type, Corning-type counter tops give kitchens a really nice, elegant look," Dizmang said.|ret||ret||tab|

A less expensive kitchen renovation is refacing the cabinets, said Roberts.|ret||ret||tab|

Kissee said less expensive tricks can help enhance a kitchen.|ret||ret||tab|

"New cabinet pulls will freshen up the kitchen. New switch plates and receptacle covers are inexpensive ways to add a special touch," Kissee said.|ret||ret||tab|

Landscaping also can have a good return on investment, as long as homeowners don't go too far.|ret||ret||tab|

"As Realtors, we have to be able to get clients out of the car," Kissee said. "They have to want to go in to see the house. First impression is very important. Yard and landscaping is crucial as it is the first thing they see."|ret||ret||tab|

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Renovation no-nos|ret||ret||tab|

"A gamble" is what Kissee called room additions and pools for the prospective home seller. |ret||ret||tab|

He said renovations like those are more for someone who is prepared to stay for a while. |ret||ret||tab|

"Certainly you can enjoy more space and pool-life, but the risks are over-building for your neighborhood, a longer time needed to market the home, limiting your prospective buyer base, and your cash input may take years to retrieve," Kissee said.|ret||ret||tab|

Roberts, too, listed a swimming pool as a not-to-do. |ret||ret||tab|

"They'll never get their money out of that," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

The decision of what to remodel is ultimately up to the homeowner, Dizmang said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Most renovations and upgrades are personal choices and fit your lifestyle," Dizmang said. "If you plan on staying in the home, enjoy the changes you make to your home, and just understand that one may not recover all of the money that was spent for those improvements, depending on what was done."|ret||ret||tab|

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