Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 24, 1993                   TAG: 9309280091
SECTION: HOME & LANDSCAPE                    PAGE: HL-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LITTLE THINGS CAN HELP MAKE HOME ATTRACTIVE TO BUYERS

Like builders, Realtors emphasize kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms as value-adding remodeling projects.

Many buyers are looking for large kitchens, said Realtor Kathryn Bush. They want lots of cabinets, dishwashers and plenty of storage space.

Large bathrooms with hot tubs or garden tubs are popular, too, she said, but they are usually seen in homes that are in the $100,000-$125,000 range.

Depending on the buyer, some features, such as a pool, can be a "big liability" rather than an asset when it's time to sell the house, she said. There are people who specifically ask for houses with pools, and they are happy to find them. Others don't want to deal with the maintenance and expense.

A garage, on the other hand, is a big selling point.

"People want them," she said, especially if they are attached to the house.

Realtor Randy Harrison said many people are looking for clean, dry basements and attics to remodel.

"Every time you have extra space that can be improved on, that's good," he said.

Replacement windows for older homes are a plus when selling a house, but "you won't recoup the cost," he said.

But often, a seller can add value to a house by doing simple things that cost much less than renovations.

Bush said there are many things a homeowner can do to make a house look more attractive and to sell more quickly. Often, she advises her clients to put some of their belongings in storage, so the house has a less cluttered look.

Taking down heavy drapes and cleaning light fixtures and windows gives a house a bright and airy feel, she said.

"The house should look airy and cheerful," Harrison agreed.

Repainting colored walls off-white and putting in neutral carpeting is also a good idea, Bush said. Other colors may not mesh with a potential buyer's taste or belongings.

Old kitchen cabinets can be painted if owners don't want to replace them, and often, a dishwasher can be installed inside existing cabinets.

For bathrooms, Bush said, reglazing sinks and tubs is a good way to cover damage or colors that have gone out of style. A new toilet and vanity also can be installed at a minimal cost, she said.

Something homeowners often don't consider is how the house smells, Bush said. Pet owners and smokers sometimes don't notice odors that other people might find offensive. It's a good idea to have the carpets and drapes cleaned and deodorized and to keep pets out of the house while it's being shown, she said.

How a house looks from the outside is important, too, Bush said. It has to have "curb appeal." Landscaping can improve the appearance greatly, she said.

Harrison recommends painting outside as well as inside.

Very few people today want houses they have to put a lot of work into, Bush said. An owner who wants to sell a house "as is" must be willing to make allowances that could cost thousands of dollars.

Whatever improvements are made to a house, Harrison said, they are bound to add value "as long as you do a good job."