Flooring is one of the more controversial subjects when it comes to home improvements. There are two firm camps and rarely do they meet in the middle. When you’re planning to sell your home, you may think you need to replace the carpet in order to get the best price on the market.
While only your local real estate professional can advise you on the best option for your situation, here are some thoughts for consideration:
Hardwood Flooring: Hardwood flooring has become central to modern design and many homeowners raised in wall-to-wall carpeting are easily persuaded to exchange their carpet for hardwood. Updating an older look with wood flooring might just be the key to getting your home sold. Before you do, however, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.
Visual appeal: There’s no getting around it: wood is simply beautiful. Whether you’re into dark cherry or a modern light bamboo, a wood floor can complement most décor and most tastes.
Maintenance: For many people, a modern wood floor product is easy to maintain. Usually sweeping or a light dust mop works for most cleaning. Periodically going over your floor with a damp mop using a wood safe product can pick up sticky residue or spills. In addition, they handle a lot of traffic without the “traffic patterns” that carpets pick up. Finally, if your floor gets scratched, you can have it buffed out, re-stained and coated with a clear protective coating.
Special considerations: People that suffer from allergies may find that they have fewer episodes with hardwood over carpet. Since the carpet fibers can collect pollen, animal hair and dander, dust mites and other allergens and irritants, you may find removing the carpet and replacing it with hardwood is an excellent and healthful idea.
People looking at your home with an eye to purchase it will find that hardwood holds a lot of attraction for them if they suffer from allergies or asthma.
A note of caution: If you’re considering a vinyl or other synthetic wood-look flooring, you might find you have fewer takers. Those with allergies tend to stay away from household products that can release VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which make asthma worse. Laminate products and especially those products requiring glue can be a source of VOCs. A better option is engineered wood since the surface is a layer of wood veneer over several layers of wood.
In many cases, hardwood can boost your resale value above that of carpet and yet the cost to you is relatively reasonable. According to a market data study done by USA Today, hardwood flooring is one feature people are willing to pay extra for.
If you’re considering some upgrades before you put your home on the market, take a look at replacing the flooring with real hardwood, or an engineered hardwood. Many retailers have end-of-the year specials on home upgrade products.
As always, if you have questions about the best changes to make for your home’s resale value, talk to your local real estate professional.
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