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How to Renovate Your House Before Sale

By Lee Wallender, About.com

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Pre-Sale Home Renovations to Avoid

Which pre-sale home renovations are best to avoid?
  • Areas that tend not to have good resale value: media rooms, theaters, offices, basements, attic remodels, back decks, most backyard work, etc.
  • Going to desperate lengths to add more space (e.g., converting a garage into a living room).
  • Windows are great things to replace, but you will not get your money back on these if done only for sale purposes.
  • Removing period details that may have some worth - Removing the green shag may be a good idea, but knocking out the circa 1911 newel post that needs "some work" is not a good idea. While the newel post may be unattractive, its intrinsic value will likely out-weigh its current ugly state.
  • Pulling out lighting, unless it will be replaced by other lighting. Even bad lighting is better than no lighting.
  • In fact, removing anything without replacement of a similar or better item is a bad idea. Holes, gaps, and empty spaces do not attract buyers.

Inspirational ideas and expert tips to help you pull off your next DIY project.

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