Prepare Your House for Sale from the Ground Up
(ARA) – The housing sales slump continues. From Sacramento to Detroit to Atlanta, housing sales have taken a dive. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts that a soft market for existing home sales will continue through the first half of the year.

Although home sales remain weak, some homeowners are willing — or are compelled — to roll the dice and plant the “for sale” sign on the front lawn. Whether you’re selling now or decide to settle in while waiting for the housing market downturn to end, a few interior updates can do much to enhance your home’s appeal in either situation.

If you’re planning to put your house on the market, some sprucing up can make your house stand out from the other homes for sale in the neighborhood. By spending a minimal amount on a few easy-to-do updates, your house can take on a new, refreshed look and have greater appeal. Or, if you’ve decided to wait out the housing slump storm, these simple home makeovers can make your current home far more habitable.

New Style at Your Feet

Nothing dates a house more than old, cracking linoleum or an outdated floor pattern. Starting from the ground up, a new floor can lend fresh vitality to a room. With so many choices in flooring available today — from authentic looking wood-grained laminates to nature-inspired vinyl styles such as stone and tile — a homeowner can turn any room into an attractive and comfortable oasis.

“With the new flooring options being offered today, a floor not only can look good, but it can offer added comfort beneath your feet,” says Lise LeBreton, creative director of Tarkett Residential, a leading international hard surface flooring manufacturer. “Today’s flooring offers high performance while being stylish at the same time. If you’re looking to make an easy update while adding value to your home, a new floor can be a quick and affordable option.”

Less expensive than ceramic tile, vinyl — also known as “resilient” flooring — offers an attractive option for a high-end appearance. The newest vinyl styles and patterns feature a wide array of colors, designs and textures while providing added beauty to any room.

In addition to good looks, vinyl’s durability makes it a smart flooring choice. As an example, Tarkett’s FiberFloor resilient flooring provides what consumers desire most – overall warmth and comfort; repels water and moisture; is scratch, scuff, stain and indentation resistant; and is easy to clean.

Other Quick and Easy Updates to Give Your Home Added Appeal

Freshen up with a coat of paint — Once the old flooring has gone, removing that faded wall paper or covering up marred walls is important to make that great first-impression. Consider painting every room in the house to infuse a new freshness into your home’s interior, but first and foremost, be sure to paint the kitchen. A high-traffic area, the kitchen is the one room where the walls usually take an added beating. Use a good quality paint that will cover with one coat and stand up to fingerprints and the occasional food splatters.

Don’t get sunk by the old sink — Old-fashioned kitchen and bath fixtures can attach an expensive price-tag to your house — giving the potential buyer thoughts of impending pricey remodeling jobs. Adding a new sink and faucet to a kitchen or bath can be a do-it-yourself weekend project or a simple and fairly inexpensive half-day job for the local plumber.

Facelift for your cabinets — Re-facing existing cabinets or simply repainting them with a high gloss finish will give your kitchen a sleek new appearance. Add new knobs and drawer pulls and you have an entirely new look overall.

Whether you decide to stay or go, it’s easy to update your current home so it can become an attractive and comfortable dwelling that you come to love and potential buyers just can’t resist.

For more information on Tarkett Residential’s FiberFloor resilient flooring, visit www.tarkett.com.

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia.

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