Lisa Barton

Pay attention to the details – make sure to remove clutter and clean, clean, clean.  In particular:

• Polish floors.
• Dust light fixtures.
• Remove stains from sinks.
• Box up belongings that you do not use on a daily basis.

Draw attention to specific features in a room, such as a piano in a music room or a table in the dining room.

Consider hardwood flooring.  While this option is certainly not cheap, it can make a very large difference in the appeal of your home.  Imitation flooring such as vinyl and bamboo (a sustainable resource) will still make a difference, but at considerably lower costs.  Not up for new flooring? 

• Have carpets professionally cleaned.
• Refinish hardwood floors.
• Refresh ceramic tile grout.
• Add an area rug, even over carpet.

Update lighting.  Bronze finishes can make your home look dated.  Consider changing features to brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze.  Use lighting to highlight special features of the home such as a tile inlay in the foyer or a kitchen island.  In addition:

• Open blinds and clean windows.  Just this simple chore can drastically increase the natural light.
• Change bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs, helping to reduce energy costs.
• Paint walls of dark spaces with opaque colors so that the natural light appears brighter.

Get a lot of reward with minimal cost and effort just by updating the paint throughout the home.  Stick with neutral colors so that buyers can more easily imagine themselves in the space.  To get the best results:

• Stick with eggshell or satin finishes.  They are easier to clean and make spaces appear larger.
• Vary shades of the same color throughout the house.  Use lighter shades in the main gathering areas with slightly darker variations in the bedrooms.
• Don’t forget the baseboards!  Stained wood baseboards can date a home, but using an antique white (with primer) can bring the look of your room up-to-date.

For more on these ideas and additional tips, visit the February 2011 issue of Realtor.