CHAPTER 7 Flooring, Walls, and Lighting
So far, we’ve covered the ups and downs of remodeling, and who you can rely on to help make smart decisions about where to direct your time, money, and energy. Now, let’s dive deeper into specific projects you might undertake to boost your home’s value or make it more marketable. We’ll explore the materials you should consider using to ensure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck. Flooring Floors have become the unsung heroes of home décor. Whether it’s hardwood or carpet, the flooring you choose can make or break a room’s appeal. It’s no secret that hardwood floors are the darling of the real estate world. Their popularity has been on the rise since the early 1980s, and by the 1990s, they had claimed the top spot as the preferred surface in homes across the nation. Today, the demand for hardwood shows no signs of slowing down. Realtors® will tell you that hardwood is often a must-have for buyers, with some even filtering out homes that don’t have it. A recent (though unscientific) survey on a Realtor’s® website found that 95% of respondents preferred hardwood for common areas like the living room, dining room, and family room. If you’ve got hardwood lurking beneath that old carpet, it’s time to let it shine. Rip up the carpet, refinish the hardwood, and watch the value of your home rise like a soufflé. Even if you can’t afford to do every room, start with one—it’s a surefire way to impress buyers and help your home sell faster.
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