| More American homeowners than ever are filing | | | | - Likely added value to your home: Up to $10,000 |
| for bankruptcy or seeking help with their debts. A | | | | per bathroom increased sale price. |
| large percentage of these people struggling with | | | | Landscape |
| their finances attempt to sell their homes and to | | | | Your front yard is the first impression potential |
| escape a mortgage they cannot afford. | | | | buyers will have of your home. Having a good |
| The mortgage industry is in a terrible financial | | | | curb appeal sets the tone for the rest of the |
| state. News stories of subprime lending disasters | | | | house. |
| plaster the evening news and many web sites. | | | | Key elements: |
| Smaller subprime lending companies have filed for | | | | - Yard - Lay new sod to make sure the grass is |
| bankruptcy, and even some of the most | | | | full. |
| respected mortgage lenders are on the verge of | | | | - Walkways - Stone or tile walkways with lighting |
| insolvency as well. The government has even | | | | add a stylish effect. |
| stepped in to keep the industry above water. | | | | - Plants - Replace all dead/dying plants with new |
| Many homeowners caught up in the housing | | | | healthy ones and get rid of any weeds in the |
| debacle are desperate to sell their homes. | | | | flower bed. Mix shrubs with flowers. |
| Thousands of homes across the nation are for | | | | - Likely added value to your home: Up to $15,000 |
| sale due to foreclosures, which makes it a buyer's | | | | increased sale price. |
| market. Buyers now have the luxury to be | | | | Walls |
| choosy due to the vast number of houses on the | | | | Clean and well-kept walls give your home an |
| market. | | | | organized cozy feel. |
| You must offer the buyer the best product, | | | | Key elements: |
| which means home renovations are critical. If you | | | | - Wallpaper - take it down. Do not paint over it. |
| invest time and money into renovating your | | | | Sand walls after removing wallpaper to prepare |
| home, then the payoff can be huge. You can sell | | | | them for fresh paint. |
| your home and take advantage of the buyer's | | | | - Paint - Choose rich colors that appeal to many |
| market. | | | | people. Stay away from boring white. Freshly |
| Real estate experts, and many home | | | | painted walls give the impression that your home |
| improvement shows, advise sellers about areas of | | | | is well cared for and clean. |
| their homes most important to the buyer. Kelly | | | | - Likely added value to your home: Up to $5,000 |
| Todd, a real estate expert, suggests these four | | | | increased sale price. |
| areas of your home to renovate if you're hoping | | | | Realtors, interior designers and home renovators |
| to sell quickly and for a profit: | | | | laud these time-tested techniques for improving |
| Kitchen | | | | the value of your home. However, if you are |
| The kitchen is traditionally a gathering place for | | | | suffering from extreme debt, it is unlikely that |
| families. It serves as a meeting area, even if | | | | you will be able to attain a loan to make these |
| you're not eating. A sleek, clean and organized | | | | home improvements. |
| kitchen adds value to your home. | | | | Here are a few tips that won't cost much for |
| Key elements: | | | | "staging" your home for a walk-through: |
| - Floors - If your floors are outdated, replace | | | | - Clean out the clutter. Put all clutter into organized |
| them with tile, wood, or a laminate alternative. | | | | bins and store them in your garage or basement. |
| - Cabinets and countertops - Get a price quote | | | | Leave mainly furniture, appliances and accent |
| from a remodeling company for replacing both of | | | | items. |
| these. Pick out new hardware for the cabinets | | | | - Paint. - A fresh coat of paint doesn't cost much, |
| and a sleek sink to match. | | | | and it will give your home a much newer, cozier |
| - Appliances - Only replace your appliances if they | | | | and cleaner feel to a potential buyer. |
| are out of date, look shabby or do not work. | | | | - New linens. - New linens on your beds improves |
| - Paint - Paint your walls a neutral color to | | | | the eye appeal of a bedroom. Also, consider |
| complement the new floor, countertops and | | | | rearranging the furniture. Potential buyers need to |
| cabinets. | | | | see the usability of the space. |
| - Likely added value to the home: Up to $40,000 | | | | - Candles and lighting. - Set the mood. A few |
| increase in sale price. | | | | candles and off-set lighting can give your home a |
| Bathrooms | | | | pleasant feel that will enable potential buyers to |
| Remodeling your bathrooms is a good alternative | | | | see themselves enjoying the space. |
| if you cannot afford to redo the kitchen. | | | | - Mow the lawn. - This one is simple. Clean up the |
| Key elements: | | | | outside of your home. A mowed lawn and |
| - Floor and Walls - These set the atmosphere for | | | | weeded flower bed increases your home's curb |
| the space. Ceramic floor tile is your best bet in | | | | appeal. |
| the bathroom. | | | | Regardless of why you are selling your home, |
| - Shower and Tub - Bleach the tub until it shines. | | | | following these suggestions will help you sell faster |
| Replace the tile surrounding it and consider | | | | and survive the crumbling housing market. If you |
| installing glass door fixtures to replace a plastic or | | | | are in debt, it may seem scary to spend money |
| cloth shower curtain. | | | | on making improvements to a home you are |
| - Lighting and counters - Replace old light and sink | | | | selling. However, small improvements dramatically |
| fixtures, and install granite countertops. All | | | | increase the value of your home and your |
| elements make for a very stylish room. | | | | potential profit. |