Buyers are looking for turnkey properties. Does yours pass muster?

You can please all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time. When it comes to, say, paneling from the 1970s, good luck finding someone who will be pleased. As to anyone who embraces the look, have you ever heard the expression: “all their taste is in their mouth”? – Oops. There. We said it.

I wish this room were darker said (almost) no one, ever. When it comes to “vintage” paneling, a primer followed by a nice shade of white paint can transform the dismal into a very acceptable look for your home’s resale.

Let’s look at a few more tips and remodeling ideas to help you sell your home and give you a better return on your investment. Things like premier flooring, paint, new hardware, and more.

Don’t Curb Their Enthusiasm

Your home’s curb appeal (or lack thereof) sets the tone before a potential buyer sets foot in your house. Scrape and touch up exterior paint. Consider painting your front door “a color”. Invest in a couple of large planters and fill them with flowers. Clutter, get thee out-of-sight! Garden tools, lawn mowers, and Timmy’s tricycle are unwelcome distractions. Keep your grass cut and yard raked. Prune or trim trees and hedges. Nothing portends disaster like a giant tree limb outstretched over your roof. Pay to have it cut. Moldy soffits are a no-go. Ditto a gutter full of leaves. Did Dad change his oil in the driveway? Pressure-wash it. Uniform window coverings, please. (It’s not the time to improvise by hanging a mandala tapestry in the picture window). Your patio, deck, or balcony should be prepped for relaxing and entertaining. Clean and stage accordingly.

Floor Them

Do you have a kitchen full of old vinyl tile or sheet flooring that looks dated or has lost its original luster?  Perhaps you’ve got decades old peeling laminate in one or more rooms. Is your carpet questionable – as in spotted, faded or dated? You’ll impress potential homebuyers with beautiful and functional new flooring. These days, buyers – especially Millennials and Gen-Xers crave hardwoods. (At GDC we have a gorgeous selection). However, keep in mind that you want to attract buyers but still recoup your costs. The array of laminates and vinyl plank we offer will please most buyers of any generation with their realistic wood (or stone) appearance and performance. We offer the best flooring in Temple, TX. GDC’s flooring store serves Killeen, TX and a host of other cities. Floors comprise a lot of your home’s “real estate”. Realtors agree that new ones can up your equity providing a good return on investment. (You can also sand and refinish beat-up hardwoods). Carpet in a neutral color can add warmth and texture and some people still prefer it, especially in bedrooms. We also provide residential carpeting at discount carpet store prices.

Speed-Dating for Your House

If you were going on a special date – or to your brother’s wedding – would you first have plastic surgery? Probably not. Would you bathe, go the beauty salon or barber, have a mani-pedi and possibly splurge on a new dress or suit? The same concept applies to prepping your house for viewing by potential buyers. You want to put your home’s best face forward without over-spending on a major overhaul. (If your home is in the 1.2 million price range, then folks may expect exotic hardwoods, travertine, and crystal chandeliers). If it’s a modest bungalow or ranch, you want to make it look clean, bright, and inviting. You want people to basically fall in love with your house and want to marry it.

People looking for a relationship don’t want someone with a lot of baggage. What goes for your home’s exterior applies inside. Allow folks to better picture themselves and their belongings in your home by de-cluttering it. (Haul away the soiled or ripped sofa or chair). If you love an old piece of furniture warts and all, we can reupholster it for you! Remember, a real estate agent is a professional matchmaker and a great resource for helping determine your remodeling priorities. (Consult one who’s familiar with your neighborhood sooner than later).

Eat, Bathe, Pray

Unless your kitchen and bathrooms have been recently updated, start there. Reface or simply paint older kitchen cabinets that are in good condition. Stay with simple designs and light neutral colors. If the hardware looks dated, replace with a simple modern design. Worn or dated countertops should be replaced if it’s within your budget. They take up a lot of visual space and replacing them can make a big impact. Keep it neutral and consider solid surface. Replace old laminates with new ones that look great. We have a fine selection of surfaces that include stone and quartz (if you’re working at a higher price point). Do you need to repeal and replace your sink? Stainless and porcelain can be often be made spotless with Bar Keepers Friend and elbow grease. Update older sink hardware. Add a fresh backsplash.

Does your bathroom sparkle? Floor to ceiling should appear pristine. You can refinish a tub for less than buying a new one. Add shower power with fresh tile. Replace a cracked commode or super-dated sink. You can paint an ugly old wood single-sink vanity; better to replace the sink with a pedestal model if possible. Beautify with simple, elegant hardware.

(You don’t want your house to feel like a monastery, but you want it to feel simultaneously cheerful, calm, and relaxing. A welcome sanctuary).

If It Ain’t Broke…

If your water heater works, leave it. Same for furnace, stove, and roof. If these are intact and symptom-free, put your dollars to work elsewhere.

Got sad looking or mismatched windows? These can make for a bad visual. Paint window trim and sashes, or consider replacing just the sashes if windows aren’t loose or broken. Replace torn or missing screens.

Patch any holes and paint, paint, paint. Keep it light. We are 100% confident that the orange statement wall in your kitchen is working and we love it. But, go paint it a light, neutral color. Right now. (Better still, have us do it for you).

We Go The Distance

From a single room makeover to a whole-house remodel, we’ve got you covered. We have professional designers, decorators, installers and even upholstery services. From flooring to windows to granite and tile, we install everything that we sell.

Ready to install hardwoods, laminate, vinyl, or carpet now? Come pick up some flooring samples. Looking for “carpet stores near me”. That would be us!

We believe that we’re the finest local carpet store and Temple flooring company. Period. (I guess we don’t believe in false modesty). And, did we mention we’re the best hands-down discount flooring store and flooring installation company in Temple?

There. We said it.

Stop by our showroom to chat with us. We love it when folks “think out loud” about their ideas. Whether you need a little guidance on just the right finishes or a master plan for you remodeling efforts, we’d love to meet you.