PART TWO- INTERIORS FOR RESALE
GRANITE
There is no doubt about it.
Granite is a beautiful material, and is very well known and popular in
recent years. I am a granite fan in
general, but I believe that like laminate and tile countertops, it is a trend
that will eventually subside---at least for a while. There are other options for countertops that
are unique and can help you sell your home:
- QUARTZ - One newer countertop option is quartz. Brands like Silestone, Caesarstone, and Zodiaq are becoming VERY popular. They have great advantages over granite, such as being low maintenance, and it is a green material. Quartz countertops come in hundreds of colors and textures, some that are engineered to appear like granite, some that are more unique and whimsical.
- SOAPSTONE - This option is a very durable material with a deep green tone. It is a natural material like granite, and is becoming a new popular choice for something out of the mainstream.
- LIMESTONE- Limestone is an exquisite material---beautiful and neutral. However it does have a similar density to marble, which stains easily. Be sure to finish the stone properly to avoid stains. I recommend if you are considering limestone, to use it for mainly bath countertops, and not in kitchens.
- CONCRETE- For homes that are more modern and being promoted as such, concrete countertops are becoming well known and desired. They can have a matte finish or can be polished.
The fore-mentioned are options that may help you stand out from the competition. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry are going to have
granite countertops. Do not feel like
you HAVE to invest in granite in order to sell your home. Be different, but retain elegance and class. Speak to a designer to determine the best fit
for you.
CROWN MOLDING
Crown molding is becoming one detail that many prospective
homebuyers are noticing. They may not go
out in search of a home with that one specific feature, but when they view a house
with crown, it is usually noticed and admired.
The cost of crown molding can be as little as fifty cents per linear
foot, so it is a small investment that truly makes a large impact. I recommend white crown, because not only is
it classic and sure to please, but it does not have to be solid wood. It can be purchased in paint grade MDF, or
even vinyl. Vinyl is excellent for
curving walls that normally would require a bunch of complicated cuts. While crown molding and upgraded door and
window trim can be cost efficient, they can also become very costly depending
on the size and material type. Speak to
a qualified designer to determine what size and style is appropriate for your home, and
if in fact it is a necessary investment.
It is very helpful in older homes that need a facelift, but in homes
that are 10 years old or less, it may not get you a high enough return to make
a difference.
WOOD FLOORS
There is no question that wood floors are IN DEMAND
now. Carpet, linoleum, and even tile are
now frowned upon by most prospective buyers, regardless of how practical they
may be. It is important to remember what
actually sells, and not so much your personal preferences. However, if the budget is tight, don’t go
bankrupt trying to please the masses in an attempt to sell your home. My recommendation in some cases would be to
install wood flooring in the entryway, and the areas that are more public, such
as the family room area---the areas that
you notice first, before touring areas like the laundry room, or the
bedrooms. Carpeting is usually perfectly
appropriate in bedrooms, but if you are re-carpeting, remember to choose a
NEUTRAL color and pile. In addition, not all woods are created equal price-wise.
Maple for instance will cost you much less than Cherry or Mahogany. The right type of wood will vary
by home—based on the architectural features and how the home is expected to be
received. A modern home with strong
angular elements will not appeal to modern buyers if it has traditional oak flooring. Consider consulting with a designer to
determine which type of wood will be right for the property type and budget.
HIGH END APPLIANCES
When updating your home for sale, first off, don’t concern
yourself with the potential nit-picky preferences of the home buyer. If someone just happens to be a gourmet chef,
and makes soufflés and sushi every other day, that should not break YOUR bank. Second, as a rule of thumb, “High end
appliances” are expected in “High end homes”.
If you are remodeling your kitchen immediately before sale to increase
your asking price, your goal should be to make a good first impression and
create that wow factor. In the average 4
bedroom home, most prospective buyers do not walk in EXPECTING a Viking 6
burner range and oven, which can cost you over ten thousand dollars. For wow factor, stainless steel gas powered is
the ticket (currently), but that does not mean you need to go super high end to
impress buyers. Again, this is not the
case in luxury homes. Whether selling
a luxury estate, or the average 3-5 bedroom, if you do not have much to spend
on home improvements, consult with a qualified designer that can help you determine how to
get the biggest bang for your buck.
WALK-IN CLOSETS
One feature in a home that will most definitely make an
impression on buyers is a walkin master closet.
However, in many spaces, walkin closets are simply not feasible. It is true that walkin closets are in demand,
but they can actually do more harm than good when it comes to storage space,
AND general square footage. Some
homeowners have more than enough linear feet of closet space, but are not
utilizing it properly. A 6 foot wide
sliding door closet can more functional than a walkin and vice versa depending
on the circumstances. A walkin closet
will likely be to your disadvantage if it eats up too much of the square
footage within the bedroom. Whether
reselling or not, if you are considering adding a walkin closet, is it
advisable to speak with a qualified designer that specializes in remodels and
preferably storage systems to determine if it is a practical investment. These are JOI specialties, so call
925-895-1336 for an appointment.
SHUTTERS & WINDOW COVERINGS
One of the top investments in homes right now is interior
shutters. These are definitely in high
demand and add significantly to curb appeal.
However, it is not always necessary to install them throughout your
ENTIRE home. When considering this
investment, I recommend using shutters on at least the windows visible from the
street. Shutters are not right for
everyone though, nor are they right for all window types. Many homeowners will put shutters on
literally every window in their home, including sidelights and tiny accent
windows. On a 1x5 or a 2x2 window a
shutter looks ridiculous, but it happens ALL the time. Furthermore, the custom size surcharges can
be ridiculously high. For those special
size windows, it is often best to just leave them uncovered. Shutters
are available in wood as well as vinyl, so cost varies. They are usually worth the money, but you may
want to address this with a professional designer who will have an unbiased and
educated opinion. As far as other window
covering types, the options are endless.
Mixing more than one type of window treatment in a home can be a bit tricky
though. I offer and specialize in window
coverings, so call for an appointment.
925-895-1336
WALKIN SHOWERS
Whether or not you are selling, walkin showers have
become all the rage. They give a
luxurious spa feel to any master bath. “Master bath” being the operative
term. Walkin showers are popular, but
many times can put sellers at a huge disadvantage. You should have at least ONE tub in your home
to accommodate buyers that have small children. Tubs are often a deal breaker, so BEWARE!
I hope you enjoyed Part 2. Stay tuned later this week for Part 3, and contact me with any questions or if you would like to schedule a JOI consult in your home. Thank you! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment