Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • March 24, 2010 Home Improvement & Gardening Outdoor spaces can be the bonuses buyers want (ARA) Many would-be home sellers are concerned about reduced housing prices, and those who are highly motivated are pulling out all the stops to make their homes more appealing than the competition. If you are preparing to sell this spring but are not in a position to invest in ambitious renovations, such as a kitchen remodel or new hardwood floors, the best advice is to look to the “bonus” spaces in and around your home and maximize their appeal. Decks, patios, sunrooms, and porches have always been popular with home buyers, but real estate agents say that, too often, those spaces are neglected or not used to their best advantage. “Anything that adds living space adds value, and the least expensive way to gain space is to build a deck or turn the one you have into an outdoor room by staging it so it flows seamlessly with the rest of the house,” according to Mary Beth Harrison of The Harrison Group, a Dallas-based real estate agency. “A great deck can set your home apart from others with the same interior floor plan or square footage, and deck additions typically add value when it comes time to sell.” A bonus space - for example, a tiny deck or rarely used balcony off a master bedroom - can be transformed into a romantic getaway by staging it with cozy, cushioned seating and a raised fire pit. You can safeguard your deck and add designer style with deck stones, which are 16-inch interlocking square tiles made of natural slate or granite. Deck stones can provide an effective fire barrier that is an asset under fire pits or grills, or when used to create an outdoor kitchen. “More than ever before, people look at their decks as outdoor rooms,” said Chris Fox of Universal Forest Products. “For some, it’s a kitchen; for others, a living room. Decks can be party spaces or quiet retreats. With so many different types of deck materials, lighting, rail systems, and decorative accents, it is possible to turn a nondescript deck into a great outdoor space.” Whether working with an old deck or a brand-new one, details count when it comes to staging. Outdoor lighting on a deck or patio provides ambience and adds versatility to the space, showing buyers endless possibilities for evening entertainment. If you want to open up the view on a bonus space, consider replacing wooden deck balusters with contoured glass balusters, or update the rails with distinctive aluminum balusters. New rails will add a dramatic difference. “Buyers always react positively to nice decks that look like a great place to hang out,” Harrison added. “From a buyer’s perspective, if all else is equal, it’s true that the home with the best deck wins.” Spring Got Water? ��������������� ������������������������������� �������������� ������������������������� ������������������� ������������ ��������������������������������� ��������������� ���������������� ����������������������� & FLOORING ���������� ���������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ � ���������������������� ������������ ����������������� Paul Banach Construction, LLC Home Remodeling Waldwick • 201-689-0765 • Windows • Doors • Garage Doors • • Finish Carpentry • Crown Moldings, Cabinetry, Walk-In-Closets, etc... • Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations • Take advantage of the Energy Tax Credit in 2010 www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits Speak to your tax advisor to ascertain if you qualify, as these credits will make a project more economical for you! Over 20 yrs. exp. • Senior Citizen Discount • Ref available upon request All work performed by owner • Free Estimates Paulbanachconstruction.com 1-20-10....Mike....from Janine PaulBanachConstruction2x2(1-20-10) 2x2”