Is Your Home Ready for Its Close-up?

There is nothing like listing your house for sale to remind you of all those little fix-up chores you've been putting off. But before you reach for a hammer or paint brush, step back and consider where to spend your time and money. A house that is neat and clean, indoors and out, is more attractive to potential buyers.

Pretend you've never seen the house before. Does the exterior – paint, siding, gutters – need attention? Are the bushes trimmed, flowerbeds weeded, walk ways swept? If you have a garage, is it clean and uncluttered? Your home should say "Welcome!" even before you reach the door.

Step inside, close your eyes, and sniff. How does your house smell? Cigarette smoke, pet smells, greasy cooking odors are immediate turn-offs. A small pan with orange rind and cinnamon in water simmering on the stove will help your house smell like home.

Now walk through as if you were a buyer. Try every light switch, turn on every faucet, open cabinets and closet doors. Make a list as you go of anything that needs fixing.

· Repair or replace leaky faucets. It's a minor expense that makes a major difference.

· Tighten hinges, knobs and pulls on cabinet doors and drawers. While you're at it, clean out the cabinets to make them look more spacious.

· Oil hinges to eliminate squeaky doors.

· Are the windows clean, and do they open and close easily? Check for ill-fitting or torn screens, too.

· Look for scuffed paint on walls or bits of wallpaper that are coming loose and need re-gluing. Touch up or repaint as needed.

· Replace burned out or dim light bulbs. Your Realtor will turn on all the lights before a showing so make sure they work.

· Inspect the appliances. Make sure they are clean and in good working order. Clean the lint filter on the dryer, change the filters in the air conditioner, change the drip pans under the stove burners.

· Look down. If your carpet is dirty, clean it. If it's stained beyond cleaning, replace it with a neutral color that will make the home look bigger. Clean and polish hardwood floors.

· Spend money on a storage locker, and de-clutter ruthlessly. Aim to make your home look as big, open, and bright as possible. Just think of it as advance packing for when you sell the house and move to your new home.

If all this seems overwhelming, get some help. Most communities have local handyman- or handywoman-type businesses that will do small jobs for an hourly or flat fee. The investment you make to get your home ready for its close-up can pay off handsomely at the settlement table.

Will That Kitchen Renovation Pay You Back?

That's always the question when it comes to renovations: Will the investment you make to upgrade your home come back to you when you sell? No matter where you live in the United States, there's a guide to help you decide.

Making that renovation decision is not only about money, of course. Sometimes it's a question of needing more space and choosing whether to stay and expand or move to a new house. It might be that you simply can't stand to see that 1970's era avocado green kitchen any more, or the turquoise and black tile in the bathroom. But after you've dealt with all the emotional and family issues, there's still the cost. Will you get your money back when the time comes to sell?

For the 19th year, RemodelingOnline has published its Cost vs. Value Report. This comprehensive report looks at the cost of 25 different remodeling projects. They combine that with data collected from more than two thousand Realtors® on resale values, and present the results in chart form. There is a chart for the country as a whole and for each of nine regions of the United States.

And the winners are…(drum roll, please)…the two rooms with the most plumbing! Nationwide, the projects that return the most at sale are kitchen remodeling – either minor or major – and bathroom remodeling. In the Pacific (West Coast) region, RemodelingOnline found that a minor kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling are actually worth MORE at resale than they cost.

Of course, you always want to use good sense on any home improvement project. Before choosing a contractor, seek recommendations from friends and family. Ask the contractor for proof of insurance and a written commitment to price and schedule for your work. Read the contract carefully and don't sign anything unless you understand it completely.

If the time has come for a change around your house, by all means do what's right for your family's needs. Using the Cost vs. Value Report, you'll have confidence that the choices you make will also suit your financial needs.