a Five Quick Ways To Upgrade Your HomeForResale (NAPSA)—Whether you're con- sidering cashing in on your equity, downsizing, trading up, moving for a change of scenery or relocating for better prospects, a few smart investments and improve- ments can help your home stand out from the competition so you get top dollar. Even if you’re not planning on moving anytime soon, these strategies can maximize your home’s value and increaseits marketability: Sprucing up the exterior. If you think you’ll have a few years before you move, work on your landscaping now to give plants time to mature. Look for easy-care perennials such as hostas, which multiply on their own. If you have less time, you can still achieve a quick makeover by power washing paths andsiding, painting or upgrading your front door and keeping the lawn watered and weeded. *Removing eyesores inside. Some minor adjustments can help buyers recognize what’s great about your home. Swap outdated fixtures, remove wallpaper and give everything a deep clean. Replacements don’t have to be top of the line; they just need to eliminate hang-upsfor potential buyers. *Improving the kitchen—to a point. You probably won’t recoup the cost of a full kitchen renovation but smaller projects such as upgrading appliances and painting or refinishing cabinets can modernize the space. *Refreshing rooms with neutral paint. This is a timehonored tip for a reason. While By rejecting up to 99 percent of UV rays, windowfilm can help protect interior investments including hardwood floors, rugs, window treatments, furniture and artwork. seeing your favorite bold hues on the walls makes you happy, potential buyers may not agree. A fresh coat of neutral paint can help them envision their own belongingsin the space. *Focusing on energyefficiency. The right energy-smart upgrades can assure buyersthey’re seeing an efficient home where utility bills can be minimized. Adding insulation to the attic and walls can make a dramatic improvement in many homes. Consider the windowsas well. Adding a heat-rejecting window film such as 3M Sun Control Window Film can reduce cooling costs and typically does not change the windows’ appearance. Since the window film can reject up to 99 percent of UV rays, it can protect the investment you made in your hardwoodfloors, rugs, window treatments, furniture and artwork. Learn More For further facts, visit www. 3M.com/homeimprovement.
