Do and Re-do

by Doug Love

Callers and e-mailers are asking about the best bang-for-their-buck on home fix-up. Some people are thinking of selling, wanting to spiff their houses up without spending too much. Others don’t plan on selling any time soon, but don’t want to over-spend, either.

“Clean it and paint it” is the tried and true advice. “Re-carpet it” is good advice, too. If you’re selling, leave your personal taste for color out of the equation unless you favor neutral.

  1. Paint it Red: Not necessarily neutral, but “Paint it Red” is the advice from home decorator experts. A new front door is a simple improvement that delivers impact, and “Red says ‘welcome’ in all cultures,” they say. Feng Shui proponents say to choose your color according to the direction your front door faces. You can look it up.
  2. Convert it: Converting an attic or storage room or basement into a bedroom is a quick way to add value. Kids move back in with parents and parents move in with kids. The “spare bedroom” is seen as a bonus for people who sometimes like their family and visitors.
  3. Line your Den: Whether you call it the office or the computer room or the den, the “extra room” it is a big draw. Everyone can use some more space, even after adding the new bedroom.
  4. Go Outside: Building a deck is one of the least-expensive ways to extend your living space. Building a deck can bring a return on investment of up to 80 percent at the time of sale, according to the experts.
  5. Go Back Outside: Check your curb appeal. Funky siding goes right to the top of a buyer’s worry list and makes them wonder what serious problems, structural or otherwise, might lurk behind. Fix it and paint it, and don’t cover it with vinyl if you can help it.
  6. Help the Cook: The kitchen can be the make-it-or-break-it for a home sale. Kitchens are expensive, but you don’t have to go full-tilt. Replacing countertops, faucets, and cabinet hardware can be the missing ingredient.
  7. Get Good Glass: Curb appeal again, with the added feature of energy efficiency. People are thinking green these days, and are interested in spending less green on their power bills.

Fix it, shine it, and make it better, but don’t turn it into the Downton Abbey, unless it’s just for you.