With the holiday season finally over and Spring fast approaching, the most common question I get these days is, "What kind of improvements should I make on my home?" My first response is always, if you have to go into debt to do it, it's probably not worth it. But if you have some money saved or there's a nice tax refund coming, it's nice to know which improvements you will both enjoy on a day to day basis as well as get the best return on investment.

Hands down where you get the most money out of renovation is the kitchen and the master bath, in that order. Then move to the exterior, including landscaping (hello curb appeal!), then general interior features such as windows, carpet, doors.

Kitchens
• The two most popular features are appliances and countertops. Therefore if it would make your heart happy to change to granite countertops or to have stainless steel appliances, then those are wise investments. Not only will they be highly appreciated from a buyer perspective, but you will enjoy them on a daily basis until you sell your home.
• Cabinets need to look beautiful. Sometimes that can be done as easily as a wipe-on stain, sometimes more extensive work is needed. The easiest and most affordable way to make your kitchen cabinets stunning is to finally put on those handles and knobs you’ve been wanting for years. It’s easy to do with the $15 guide Home Depot sells and it makes a huge difference for any cabinet, takes your home from typical to custom.

Master Bath
• About 75% of my female clients are “bath” women. When they see your tub, they have to be able to think “oh yeah, first night in the house, I’m getting in there”. Make the necessary changes to let that happen.
• If you still have brass fixtures in your bathroom, run don’t walk to the nearest hardware store and replace all of it. Nothing dates a home like brass. Go with chrome, brushed nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze depending on your taste and budget.
• Finally, “spa out” your master bathroom. We’re talking white terry cloth towels, robes, and rugs, one maybe two (not dozens) tasteful candles. NO fake plants. Think posh resort, very neutral, very zen. You will love it for the time being and potential buyers will go nuts.

Finally, if you need to move within the next six months also consider the following:
• Nothing says “new house” like fresh paint. And we’re talking NEUTRAL. That can be hard to find because even tan colors can lean towards green, pink, or yellow. If I have a hot listing and I need to neutralize in a hurry, I go straight to Dunn Edwards’ Inside Passage. Complements just about everything.
• Gorgeous window treatments can transform your house so quickly. I’m talking custom, not Target. I use Nicole Fuller of Custom Home Interior to do fabulous window treatments on all of my listings, she’s creative, affordable, and fast. Caution: once you have them you’ll wonder how you lived without.
• The smell of new carpet can boost the value of a home intensely for a buyer. If you’re being relocated and will leave the house empty anyway, new carpet will definitely pay off. And there are companies that will wait for payment until the house closes.