| Many people use the money saved from | | | | certainly impress buyers more than your old |
| refinancing to get started on home remodeling | | | | carpet. |
| projects. Sometimes with just a little effort and | | | | 4.Spruce up the kitchen. If your kitchen is looking |
| money invested, you can significantly increase the | | | | a little dated, there are a few simple tricks that |
| value of your home. Whether you are planning on | | | | might help you update your look without a |
| selling your home or are just ready for a | | | | complete overhaul. Replacing cabinet hardware |
| makeover, there are certain areas that you might | | | | with stainless steel or nickel knobs is one way to |
| want to tackle first. | | | | start. If the cabinets are made of wood, try |
| 1.Check your electricity. Homes built before the | | | | cleaning and repainting before you consider |
| 1970s were not designed to handle the power | | | | completely replacing them. In an older house, any |
| voltage levels that are common in the average | | | | color or pattern that may be on the countertop |
| US household today. With more and more | | | | or walls should be updated if it makes the buyer |
| electronics and appliances demanding electrical | | | | aware of when the house was built. |
| service, it will pay to make sure your home is | | | | 5.Clean up the walls. Although wallpaper is making |
| able to handle a minimum of 100 amps and up to | | | | somewhat of a comeback in small quantities, |
| 200 amps that is the standard in most new | | | | wallpaper applied in the height of the 1980s is |
| homes today. Check the wiring as well, aluminum | | | | easy to spot. You can buy wallpaper that more |
| wiring is a sign of an older house. | | | | easily takes paint at your local hardware store, |
| 2.Check your plumbing. Older houses usually have | | | | but this may be more work than just taking |
| either copper pipes or galvanized pipes. A | | | | down the existing wallpaper and re-painting. Also |
| galvanized pipe is a steel pipe with a protective | | | | be sure to clean up door knobs, light switches, |
| coating of zinc that is intended to extend the life | | | | and electrical outlets. Replace any broken or |
| expectancy of the pipe. Galvanized pipes can last | | | | chipped cover plates. |
| up to 50 years on average, but if you live in an | | | | 6.Update appliances. Unfortunately, houses built in |
| area with an elevated amount of minerals in the | | | | the 1990s may be beginning to need new |
| water supply - the pipes can corrode easily. Have | | | | appliances and upgrades. Many air conditioners, |
| your pipes inspected and consider replacing them | | | | furnaces, and water heaters have a life |
| if the corrosion is extensive. | | | | expectancy of 10-15 years. Although this may |
| 3.Remove old carpet. If you live in an older house | | | | seem like more of an expense than you would |
| you might be lucky enough to have wooden | | | | like to pay, the new energy star appliances on the |
| floors under the carpet that are in pretty good | | | | market now will save you considerably on your |
| condition. Wooden floors appeal to many buyers, | | | | bills. |
| and spending the money to refinish them up will | | | | |