Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living - Issue 5 | Page 25

attractive to buyers — especially if
it is well cared for. Consider having
your hardwood floors refinished.
This may not cost as much as you
think; if the scratches don’t penetrate down to the wood, you may
be able to get away with a simple
refreshing of the varnish rather
than a complete refinish. Don’t
forget your exterior wood decks
and steps. After washing, stain as
necessary and re-coat with a sealant to keep them
looking their best.
Mulch your landscape beds.
Adding a layer of attractive gravel
or bark mulch can make the outside
of your home far more attractive
without having to shell out for expensive landscaping upgrades.
New fixtures make rooms look
fabulous
Details make a difference when it
comes to sprucing up a home. Try
these fixture upgrades for instant
appeal.
Invest in new light fixtures. Old
light fixtures can make a room
look dumpy and outdated. A new
chandelier for the dining room or
trendy sconces in the hallways can

transform the space. Sometimes
the problem is not style but light.
Adding a few extra lights, or
replacing lower-wattage bulbs with
brighter CFL or LED light bulbs
can make a huge difference in the
sell factor of a home.
Tubular skylights are a great
choice, too.
Upgrade kitchen and bathroom
fixtures. Are your plumbing
fixtures stained with rust,
pitted, or just plain clunkylooking? Switch them up for
something sleek in shiny chrome
or sophisticated brushed brass or
stainless. It will make the entire
room seem more upscale. Turn
those odd spaces to your
advantage
Do you have space in your home
that doesn’t make sense? Buyers
don’t like paying for space they
won’t use, so if you can make it useful you’ll increase your home’s appeal. Storage is a problem for many
families, so turning odd niches into
useful storage space will gain you
points. Try adding cabinets, built-in
shelving or
storage closets.
Your entryways also deserve your

attention. They are where people
get their first impression of
your home. Spruce yours up by
upgrading your door, painting, or
adding an attractive welcome rug,
and put your prospective buyers in
a good state of mind for viewing
the rest of your home.
One last tip: Green is red-hot
these days, so go for any green
improvements that are within your
budget. Zero VOC paint is a good
choice, as are weatherization and
insulation. Or add a rain
barrel or raised garden beds to
your yard. Just don’t forget to
include your green upgrades in
your home description!
Darryl Crosby is the Marketing
Manager of Schedule Fred,
a home improvement and handy
man company that helps busy
homeowners with of all of their
windows, door, and interior/
exterior repair projects.
This post was originally published
on RISMedia's blog, Housecall.