You bought the house. Now you need to make it a home. There's much to be done before the last paintbrush is cleaned and curtains get hung just so. Inspirational ideas and advice are yours for the taking as you explore this section.

Sell Your Home With Strategically Placed Artwork

Photography, oils, watercolor, posters: your walls say so much about you, sometimes even too much. Read the Article

Does Your Entrance Say Welcome or Walk Away?

Putting extra effort into your home's reception area will leave a lasting impression on potential buyers Read the Article

Great Kitchens Sell Homes

To sell your home fast, showcase your kitchen as a clean, modern, inviting and immaculate environment. Read the Article

Basement Renovations

Is adding the extra space worth it? Read the Article

Careful Landscape Planning Yields Big Payoffs

Landscaping projects can be a big commitment of both time and money. But by carefully planning your landscape design, you can make it come in on time and on budget. Read the Article

Building a Welcome Mat for Your Home

Your driveway should say, come on in. With proper installation, seasonal and setting considerations and the proper care, it's a great way to enhance your home and its character. Read the Article

Building Green from Basement to Rooftop

Creating an environmentally friendly home is not a simple exercise. It requires research, planning, design and execution. The secret to success is being able to make informed decisions. Read the Article

Choosing the Right Glass for Your Home

Windows are for more than just looking through. Putting energy-efficient glass in your windows can lower your heating and cooling bills significantly. Read the Article

Putting some sweat equity into your home can do wonders when it comes time to sell. But before dropping big dollars on a major home makeover, consider a few smaller changes that may just give you a bigger dollar-for-dollar return.

A few cosmetic changes go a long way

Tearing apart your old kitchen may be the cause of countless daydreams; however, first consider a cost-effective facelift. Things like changing fixtures, fresh paint, updating cabinetry handles or adding a decorative backsplash are simple and relatively inexpensive ways to modernize your kitchen and give buyers a better sense of the room’s true potential.

Getting that stain out

Before ripping out every square inch of carpet, consider a steam clean. Find the least toxic method and get rid of all the splotches and stains and see what can be salvaged. Oftentimes, cleaning a carpet using a professional cleaner or a rented steam machine can give it a new lease on life and help save a few dollars that can be better invested in other parts of the home.

Bold may not always be beautiful

Start with the basics: kitchens and bathrooms. According to Remodeling Online / Hanley-Wood, renovating your kitchen can generate an approximate 71 - 88 percent return on investment, as most buyers like these areas to be in move-in condition. Avoid custom cabinetry in favor of something contemporary and neutral. The idea is to generate maximum appeal and increase the value of your property for the broadest possible audience.

All things relative

Keep in mind that no matter how beautiful, a $35,000 bathroom does not belong in a $100,000 home. While bathrooms generate the same return as a new kitchen, a renovation will only get you what buyers can afford. Consider re-glazing the tub for a few hundred dollars before spending thousands on a complete remodeling. Changing the vanity can also give you the updated look buyers are searching for. Adding new faucets or a new mirror can be a dramatic improvement and can be relatively inexpensive.

Consistency is key

One of the questions few renovators ask themselves is whether or not their changes match. Keeping the look and feel consistent will add continuity to the home and allow buyers to see where your improvements could lead them long term. Don’t neglect the outside of the home in favor of fixing the interior. Ensuring things stay consistent throughout the property gives buyers a sense that your property is worth top dollar.

Ask your agent

A Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate sales associate can provide you with some quick and easy advice that is often overlooked when preparing your house for sale. An experienced sales associate can supply you with the latest trends and local supplier knowledge that you may not be familiar with.