“Should I offer a “paint and carpet (or insert update) ” allowance instead of actually doing the work on my Silver Spring or Takoma Park House?”
Silver Spring Homesellers- When you’re getting your home ready for the market, the list of things that need to be done can seem overwhelming.
Would'nt it be much easier to just offer the buyer a "credit" or an "allowance"? The buyers probably would prefer to pick out their own carpet or paint color.
The problem with offering a decorating allowance or 
credit instead of actually doing the painting, refinishing or carpeting is that these two items are the strongest emotional triggers for buyers. When buyers walk into a home, they form an impression right
away. If the buyer’s impression is that the home has worn carpet, floors or dirty, nicked up walls, no allowance is going change that initial impression.
It’s the first impression that is most important, so if you’re on a tight budget, just make sure that the flooring in every room the buyer can see from the front door is in the best condition it can be. Same with the paint. A buyer will be more likely to overlook bad carpet or not-so-fresh paint in secondary rooms that don’t contribute to that critical first impression in their 
sight line.
*NOTE - Many of the homes in Silver Spring and Takoma Park have original hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors are one of the most desired ammenites of today's buyers. If your hardwood floors are covered with wall to wall carpet, one of the best things you can do to make your home very attractive to buyers is uncover those hardwoods. Pull up that carpet and show off the hardwood flooring you have. If you've got them, flaunt them!
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