One of the first things that you see when entering a house is the flooring. If you are selling your house and you haven’t updated your flooring since the 70s, you may want to consider replacing that avocado green shag carpet with something more modern. While it is debatable whether or not flooring actually increases the value of your home, it definitely increases the perceived value which brings higher offers and will help you sell your house faster.
It may have seemed like a good idea when you put that pink carpet in your daughter’s bedroom, but unusual flooring choices may discourage discerning buyers from looking at other areas of the home that have been updated. Because the flooring is so noticeable, it is arguably the most important part of the house to update when preparing your home for sale.
The good news is, flooring is probably one of the easiest and most inexpensive home improvements of its size. As a seller, when replacing your flooring, it is imperative that you work with a flooring designer. Most flooring stores have designers on staff that will help you choose the right flooring based on your home’s style and your budget.
The type and quality of the flooring isn’t the only thing that needs to be considered. The most important aspect of improving your home’s appearance with flooring is the installation. You can have the most beautiful flooring in the world, but if it is installed incorrectly, it will look bad and may end up costing you more money in the long run. If second-rate work was done, it will be noticeable by your and potential buyers.
You may be able to spruce up the look of your flooring without replacing it. Using an honest and credible flooring company will certainly save you money in this regard. They will tell you what can be cleaned or repaired and what needs to be replaced. If the flooring is “on the fence” it is better to err on the side of replacing the flooring. The last thing you want when selling your house is an offer contingent on replacing flooring that you just spent money repairing or cleaning.
When replacing flooring, you need to put your personal tastes (especially if you like the previously mentioned avocado green shag carpet) to the side and consider “mass appeal” options. Many house flippers will tell you that switching to Berber carpet in the bedrooms, affordable tile or laminate faux wood flooring in the living areas, and possibly higher grade marble in small bathrooms makes for the perfect recipe for resales – delivering a high visual impact, great ROI and best value for the new owners.
The long and short of it is, when selling your house, don’t overlook the flooring. While it may not add dollars to the appraisal value of the house, if done right, it will add intrinsic value and speed up the sales process. And who knows, it may even get you a better offer when everything is said and done.
The professionals at Majestic Floor Covering have a tremendous amount of experience helping owners, realtors and home flippers choose the most cost effective flooring for their project. When it comes to flooring, leave it to the professionals…leave it to Majestic Floor Covering.