When you're trying to sell a house, looks matter almost as much as a competitive price. But you don't necessarily have to spend big to give your interior a pre-sale face lift — try these wallet-friendly options instead.
* Tile paint can spruce up sad kitchen tile in a hurry. Choose a high-quality product and apply carefully to give things a fresh new look for prospective buyers.
* Don't replace your dated laminate countertops — refinish or recover them. You can use specialty paints, peel-and-stick coverings, or new laminate sheets.
* Beat-up carpets and linoleum look terrible, and if they can't be salvaged with cleaning or repair, luxury vinyl flooring is a cost-effective replacement option that can give your home a well-maintained appearance.
* Consider new faucets and cabinet hardware to give an updated look with manageable costs.
* Declutter your house. It's cheap to do and a necessary task if you plan to move.
* Put a fresh coat of paint on all the walls. Choose a light and airy neutral, like cream, beige, or pale gray, and avoid bold statement colors and accent walls.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.