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If you're getting ready to sell your home, then you might suddenly find yourself faced with deciding which home improvements are the best to tackle. Though it can seem like a hassle -- and it's going to cost you some time and money -- the reality is that even a few improvements could be beneficial. You might find that not only does your home sell more quickly than you expect but that the final sale price is above your listing price. 

1. Landscape Your Yard

Your home's exterior is the first thing interested homebuyers see when they show up so make sure the yard is welcoming. In addition to keeping the grass mowed, be sure that any trees and bushes aren't overgrown. Plant some perennials if your yard needs some color or put some in a couple of pots by the front door. 

2. Paint the Interior

Even though painting the interior of your home has one of the lowest costs of all home improvement projects, it also has a high rate of return. About 36 percent of homeowners decide to tackle this project. Be sure to opt for a neutral color though you might need assistance from a professional to determine what that is. It really depends on aspects like the flooring and cabinets, for example. Gray has been trending as a paint color for a number of years so it's a safe choice for interiors. 

3. Replace the Flooring

More than a quarter of home sellers decided to replace the flooring before putting their home on the market. Upgrading to wood or faux woods floors throughout your home has several advantages. It creates a seamless flow from one room to the next. The right kind of wood flooring is also easier to maintain than carpeting. 

If it's too costly to replace all the flooring in your home with wood, then new carpeting can still be a strong selling point. Just make sure that you choose a neutral color. 

4. Update the Bathroom

Did you know that your bathroom can make your house seem outdated? Adding a few new touches such as new cabinets, countertops, fixtures and flooring can breathe fresh life into one of the important rooms of the house. Just make sure to go with a minimalist look to make the room look bigger. 

Opting for any of the four home improvements noted above can really boost your return on your investment. If you aren't sure which project is the best one to tackle, ask a real estate agent. Their objective advice is grounded in the realities of what's selling in your area currently. 

A nightmare home selling experience is something that every home seller wants to avoid. Fortunately, we're here to teach you the ins and outs of selling a house so that you can minimize the risk of problems that could lead to a nightmare home selling experience.

Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you avoid a nightmare home selling experience.

1. Study the Real Estate Market Closely

You don't need to be a real estate market expert to find ways to maximize the profits from your home sale. Instead, you can study the real estate market closely and gain the insights that you need to price your house competitively.

Remember, a home seller's goal is to optimize the value of his or her house. To accomplish this goal, it is paramount to establish the right home price from day one. Otherwise, a home seller risks alienating buyers with a price that is too high, or missing out on profits due to a price that is too low.

Take a look at the prices of available houses in your area that are similar to your own. This housing market data will enable you to see how your residence stacks up against the competition so that you can price your house accordingly.

2. Conduct a Home Inspection

A home inspection usually is completed after a home seller accepts a buyer's offer. However, a home seller who conducts an inspection before listing his or her residence can increase the likelihood of a profitable home sale. Perhaps best of all, this home seller can avoid the danger of a buyer requesting home repairs or a price reduction later in the home selling cycle.

During a home inspection, a property expert will evaluate your residence both inside and out. This property expert then will provide a comprehensive report that details his or her findings.

Examine a home inspection report. That way, you can find out about your house's strengths and weaknesses and take the necessary steps to transform various weaknesses into strengths.

3. Hire an Experienced Real Estate Agent

An experienced real estate agent understands exactly what it takes to sell a home, regardless of the current housing market's conditions. As such, this real estate agent can serve as a guide throughout the home selling journey and help you immediately identify and resolve any potential home selling hurdles.

For example, an experienced real estate agent can provide you with a wealth of housing market data before you list your residence. This housing market professional will help you make sense of assorted real estate data and ensure that you can establish a competitive price for your house. He or she also will promote your house to the right groups of buyers and help you enjoy a quick, seamless home sale.

When it comes to selling your home, there is no need to leave anything to chance. Take advantage of the aforementioned tips, and you can avoid a nightmare home selling experience.

Image by Lars_Nissen_Photoart from Pixabay

A porch swing lends wistful ambiance to your home.  Below are a few options on how to construct your own porch swing from 3 wood pallets, which local stores may be able to give you free of charge.  Upcycling materials keeps useful scraps out of landfills and saves money.  In addition, your weekend project will be all the more treasured because you can design it yourself and tailor it to the style of your home.  Take a look at these ideas:

4-Foot Bench Swing

You’ll need to harvest wood from around 3 pallets.  For the frame of the swing you’ll need pieces trimmed to sizes similar to the following:

3 4-ft lengths of 2x4

4 18-in lengths of 2x4

4 19 3/4-in lengths of 2x4

2 11 1/4-in lengths of 2x4

2 22 1/2-in lengths of 2x4  

1 45-in length of 2x2

Beyond these, harvest as many slats around 2 ft long and 4 ft long from the pallets as you can to fill in and support the frame.  

Using 2 of the 4-ft 2x4’s as the long sides of the swing’s seat, stand them up on their sides and connect them using 2 of the 1.5-ft 2x4’s, also on their sides, completing the rectangle.  Add the other 2 1.5-ft 2x4’s for support, laid flat and equidistant from the sides and each other.

Position the 45-in 2x2 down the center and attach it to the inside of the 2x4’s. 

Build the back rest with the third 4-ft 2x4 forming the top edge and the 4 19 3/4-in 2x4’s laid flat and attached to it at the same distances as the 1.5-ft seat supports.  Secure the open ends of the 19 3/4-in 2x4’s to the edge of the seat.

Attach each 11 1/4-in 2x4 to a 22 1/2-in 2x4 at a right angle to form the armrests, then attach ends to the seat corners and midpoints of the back rest edges.

Fill in the frame with evenly-spaced slats across the back rest and the seat.  Use 4 long screws with eyeholes at the end and attach in the vertical edge of the back rest near the top and on the seat edge near the corner on each side.  

Use primer before painting, then finish with a weather-resistant coating.  

Simple Half-Pallet Swing

For a simpler method, cut a pallet in half long-ways.  Set the back rest portion on top of the edge of the seat portion and attach.  Using harvested slats from a second pallet, you can lay down another layer of wood for a sturdier seat as well as a more finished look.  Use another 4 harvested slats to build armrests, connecting them at right angles and affixing them onto the sides of the seat and back rest.  

Daybed Porch Swing

If you’re looking for a cross between a porch swing and a hammock, use one entire pallet for the seat/base of your swing and a section of a second pallet or harvested slats from one to add a back rest.  This makes a luxurious daybed swing you can decorate with accent pillows.

If you encounter home selling challenges, there is no need to worry. In fact, if you know how to approach potential house selling hurdles, you may be better equipped than others to enjoy a seamless property selling experience.

Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you hone your approach to home selling challenges.

1. Remain Calm

A home selling challenge may seem like the end of the world. But it is important to remember that home sellers like yourself likely have faced similar problems in the past. And as such, there is probably a viable solution to address any home selling challenge, at any time.

When a home selling challenge presents itself, it often helps to take a deep breath. Then, you should try to remain calm, cool and collected and approach the challenge from an objective point of view. By doing so, you may be able to find a way to resolve this challenge in no time at all.

2. Be Persistent

Let's face it – no one said selling a house would be easy. But for those who are persistent, even the toughest home selling challenges can be overcome.

If you approach a home selling challenge with persistence, you'll be ready to explore every potential solution to address this issue. As a result, you may be able to quickly identify the right solutions to various home selling challenges and move one step closer to achieving your property selling goals.

3. Consult with a Real Estate Agent

For those who face a home selling challenge, it generally is a good idea to seek out expert guidance. Fortunately, real estate agents are available in cities and towns nationwide, and these housing market professionals are happy to help you address any home selling challenges head-on.

Typically, a real estate agent offers plenty of support throughout the property selling journey. He or she first will learn about your home selling goals and provide a personalized home selling strategy. Next, a real estate agent will promote your residence to the right groups of prospective buyers. And if you receive an offer to purchase your home, a real estate agent will help you analyze this proposal and decide whether to accept, reject or counter it.

A real estate agent is prepared to respond to any concerns or questions that you may have during the home selling process too. If you are unsure about how to price your home, for example, a real estate agent can offer housing market data to help you establish a competitive initial asking price. Or, if you face a time crunch to sell your residence, a real estate agent will do everything possible to help you sell your house as quickly as possible.

There is no reason to let home selling challenges get the best of you after you list your residence. Thanks to the aforementioned tips, however, you can boost your home selling confidence and determine the best course of action to resolve any house selling challenges.