Selling your home in 2011? Tips to add value during winter months

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Selling your home in 2011? Tips to add value during winter months</font></h2><p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Major home renovations can be overwhelming, but there are a few fundamental repairs that can update your home’s appearance and increase its value. If you’re planning to sell your home in 2011, take advantage of the colder winter months to prepare your home for a spring sale by focusing on a few key projects:</span></p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Make a first impression.</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The entryway is the first up-close encounter a potential homebuyer will have with your home. Manicure your front yard and update or even replace your front door to complement your home’s exterior. Select a rich, dark stained wood or bold white door to draw attention to the main entry and add personality to your home. If your door is already in great shape, consider a simple replacement of weak or older-looking hardware that will impress buyers at first sight.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Get cookin’ in the kitchen.</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Experts agree that a kitchen can significantly impact a home’s perceived value. An outdated kitchen can be a deal breaker for many homebuyers. Naturally, then, it’s the place you might spend the most amount of time updating. To increase the appeal of your kitchen, consider investing in updated, matching appliances that match the style of your kitchen. Some manufacturers even offer replacement panels to update the exteriors of older appliances.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Next, if you can’t afford to add new cabinetry, change out the hardware so the knobs, drawer pulls and handles match your decor and add a modern flair. Adding technology-driven fixtures, including built-in water filtration systems, garbage disposals and <a href="http://www.deltafaucet.com/videogallery/index.html?filter=howTo#vid-InstallKitchenFaucet" target="_blank">high-tech faucets</a> is another great way to increase the room’s appeal. Delta Faucet’s <a href="http://www.deltafaucet.com/smarttechnology/learnmore/touch2o-technology.html" target="_blank">Touch2O Technology</a> will impress homebuyers and add a sense of luxury to the room. The technology enables users to turn the faucet on and off with just a touch anywhere on the spout or handle, and is available on a variety of models.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Update and upgrade light fixtures.</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Lighting is key. It can drastically change the look and feel of a room, and lighting fixtures are affordable and relatively simple to install on your own. Shop discount stores and home improvement depots to find a statement piece to add spice to your living room. A beautiful ceiling fan with lighting can serve double-duty to update your family room. Remember, well-lit and bright rooms appear larger and more open.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Step on it.</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Flooring is one of the first things that potential homebuyers notice. Make sure you dust, vacuum and clean so that you show off the flooring to its best advantage. If you have carpet, consider replacing it with wood floors or wood alternatives. If you already have hardwood floors, polish and protect your flooring so that it gleams when potential buyers step into the home.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Whether you’re trying to sell your home this winter or simply want to update its look, you don’t have to wait until the spring thaws. When the cold weather drives you inside, take advantage of the time to make attractive upgrades that can increase the appeal and value to your home.</span></p></span>