Continuing in our list of economical suggestions for home sellers is:

Flooring

Real hardwood floors offer longevity and never go out of style. If you have old hardwood floors under carpet, it may be a good bet—providing they are in good condition—to pull up carpet in several rooms to expose the hardwood floors. Refinishing is expensive, but it may add dollars in your pocket as a seller. If the floors are slightly dull and show minor wear, a few coats of wax may be all that’s needed.

Laminate floors also offer an economical option for sellers and durability for buyers. Some laminates are as inexpensive to install as vinyl, and most buyers find laminate far more attractive if given an option. If you go with laminate, check the moisture rating before installing. Laminate in an entry area or bathroom where it is subject to being splashed or dripped on should be rated to withstand moisture. Most laminate floors recommend against installation in entries and baths for this reason, but a few are designed especially for this purpose. So be careful what you select if your floor install will extend into a baths and entries. Laminate is a floating floor and it can bubble with expansion from moisture.

If your home has wall-to-wall carpeting, professional steam cleaning will make a huge difference to restore pile to your traffic areas. (I have a great carpet cleaner if you’d like a referral!)