Individual and Family Discount Dental Plans, Affordable
Dental Care Starting at $79.95 a Year!
1-888-632-5353 
M-F 8 AM - 9 PM EST 

Find Plans in Your Area
 
ZIP code
 

Find Dentists in Your Area
 
ZIP code
 
Dentist last name
(optional)
 




you are here: DentalPlans.com > Dental Health Articles > Real Estate > Model Home Tricks Help Maximize Your Home's Value

Model Home Tricks Help Maximize Your Home's Value
Updated: 4/6/2007 5:30:35 AM
 
(ARA) - Perfectly manicured, emerald green lawns flanked by floral beds. Acres of granite counter top and gleaming stainless steel appliances. And everywhere you look are surfaces clean enough to eat off -- that's the appeal of the model home.

There's a reason why model homes look the way they do. Builders know that everything they do to make a house look visually appealing amounts to actual dollars, and often thousands of dollars, added to the sale price. The same principal applies to your home.

Whether you're planning on selling, or just sprucing up your house to make it more enjoyable to live in, mimicking the ideal appearance of a model home can yield impressive results. Here are some tips and trends to help make your house a showplace:

* Start with curb appeal. This is especially important if you're planning on selling. First impressions are lasting ones and unmown grass or shabby planting beds make the kind of statement you want to avoid. Keep grass well trimmed and planting beds watered. If you don't have a green thumb, choose easy-to-grow flowers, like petunias, to add pizzazz to your landscaping.

* Cleanliness is essential. Whether you're selling your home or living in it, keeping it clean is a top priority. Clean homes are better preserved, more healthful places to live. And homebuyers rank dirty houses at the top of their turn-offs list. You probably take care of the kitchen and baths regularly, but don't forget the need to shampoo the carpet occasionally, especially if it is worn or old. And take the time to do the windows -- you'll be amazed at the difference it makes to your home's appearance, both inside and out.

* Cut the clutter. Living in a cluttered environment is harmful on so many levels -- from your home's sell-appeal to your own self esteem. Decreasing clutter opens up the visual space in your home and can inspire greater decorating creativity.

* Take care of repairs as quickly as possible. Some things simply can't wait, like a leaking roof. But try not to put off small repairs that may not seem consequential -- like the toilet that needs the handle jiggled every now and then. Small repairs can become big problems if they add up or get worse with time -- and they always do.

* Put your decorating dollars into the rooms and trends that give the biggest payoff in both your enjoyment of your home and appeal to potential buyers. Focus on the kitchen and baths. No penny spent in those rooms is ever wasted, whether you're simply dressing up the bath with new towels or installing granite counter tops in the kitchen. Granite counter tops are a must in model homes, as are gleaming clean baths.

* Consider adding an interior designer touch, such as a custom wall mural. Increasingly popular among designers, wallpaper murals are popping up in model homes across the country. Designers are using them to enhance kitchens, brighten baths and create bold statements in common areas of the house, according to Murals Your Way, makers of easy-to-install custom wallpaper murals. "To have someone paint a mural costs thousands," states interior designer, Lisa Fields who installed a wallpaper mural depicting Michelangelo's Creation of Adam in a hallway ceiling. "I love being able to have the same look while staying within budget."

For more mural ideas, and for free shipping, please visit www.muralsyourway.com.

Copyright © 2007, ARAnet, Inc.

ARA Content

Customer Care - 1-888-632-5353 Toll Free

  
Additional Articles
Why Retirees Should Consider a Reverse...
How Mortgage Protection Can Change Your...
What is Mortgage Protection Insurance?
Reduce Expenses and Save up to $800 on...
Cash Available for Retired Homeowners
Cash Available for Retirees with Homes
Turn Your Home Equity into Retirement...
Home Insurance Rising? Try Shopping...
The Secret for Finding the Perfect Home...
Eliminating the Burden of Debt
Refinance Now -- Before it's too Late
Interest Rates Near Historic Lows -- ...
Get Your Insurer to Cover Storm Damage...
The Power to Make Your Homeowner's Pay...
Interest Rates Lowered -- Refinance Now...
Take Advantage of Low Interest Rates to...
Low Cost Life Insurance? It's Online
Smart Life Insurance Shoppers Going...
Buying Life Insurance Online
There's a Better Way to Avoid...
Modify Your Mortgage and Keep Your Home
Loan Modification can Help You Avoid...
Find a Way to Afford Your Mortgage
Home Security Systems Reduce Burglary...
Keep Your Family Safe at Home
How to View Your Credit Report and for...
Do You Know What's On Your Credit ...
Dow Crashed, Do Not Let Your Credit...
Foreclosures Offer Investors Amazing ...
Business Owners -- Lower Your Tax Bill...
Free Guide to Real Estate Short Sales
Are mortgage payments getting harder to...
Use Your IRA Funds to Buy Real Estate...
The Secret to Slashing Home Mortgage...
View Your Free 2008 Credit Reports and...
View Your Credit Reports and Scores for...
View Your Free 3-in-1 Credit Report and...
How to Buy a House with a Cash Bonus
The Secret to Saving Money on Car...
Why You Need an Extended Vehicle...

Add to Google MSN Real Estate
 Add Real Estate
 To My Yahoo  Subscribe with Bloglines   Subscribe in NewsGator Online Real Estate
 News Feed

The materials and articles published on DentalPlans.com are for informational purposes only. Although DentalPlans.com strives to be accurate and complete, the information is provided without liability for errors. DentalPlans.com does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text graphics, links, or other items contained on DentalPlans.com.

DentalPlans.com expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in these materials and DentalPlans.com makes no commitment to update the information on DentalPlans.com.

DentalPlans.com expressly disclaims all liability for the use or interpretation by others of information on DentalPlans.com. Decisions based on information contained on DentalPlans.com are the sole responsibility of the visitors, and visitors agree to hold DentalPlans.com and its Affiliates harmless against any claims for damages arising from decisions visitors make on such information.

Nothing on DentalPlans.com constitutes medical advice or other forms of advice. DentalPlans.com assumes no responsibility for material created or published by third parties linked to DentalPlans.com with or without DentalPlans.coms knowledge.

Let's Get Connected
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter DentalPlans.com Blog, Dental Insurance Alternatives View Our YouTube Channel
Email Me Savings & Updates
Submit
Privacy Policy
The DENTALPLANS.COM website is administered by DENTALPLANS.COM, INC., a licensed Florida Discount Medical Plan Organization, 8100 S.W. 10th Street Suite #2000, Plantation, FL 33324. Plans and Programs offered by DentalPlans.com are not health insurance policies. Plans and Programs offered by DentalPlans.com provide discounts at certain health care providers for medical services. Plans and Programs offered by DentalPlans.com do not make payments directly to the providers of medical services. The Plan or Program member is obligated to pay for all health care services but will receive a discount from those health care providers who have contracted with the Plan, Program or discount plan organization.
Special promotions including but not limited to additional months free and Membership Rewards® points from American Express are not available to California residents.

© 1999-2011 DentalPlans.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Patents Pending. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
BBB Rating A+    McAfee SECURE sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams