I have never understood why people will fix up their house and then leave it. Why not make improvements to your that you can enjoy for a year or two and then move. There's no reason for you to live in a house that hasn't been updated but then you update it for the buyers. This doesn't make much sense does it? This way the investment that you make in the improvements will be worth while and it won't cost as much.
Why won't it cost as much? This is an easy question. There are two reasons. First, when you pay for an improvement at today's dollar will be less than waiting two years and paying for it then. Most of the time, construction materials go up on a price per sqft. Second, if you decide to put in granite counter tops in the kitchen and it costs you $6,000 then figure out how much you'd be able to get back when you sell. In most cases you won't get the full $6,000 back, so why not use it for a couple of years. You'll get the value of your own use of the improvement and you'll get the same back when you sell as if you just installed the granite.
Moral of the story is make the improvements for your own enjoyment but keep the sale of your house in mind... so don't go crazy with the colors. Neutral is always best but that's another story I wrote about called Neutral is Best!
David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
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