If you're a real estate investor, you know your work is about appealing to a wide range of buyers or renters - and that may mean you want to improve the house's outdoor living space. One way to do that is with a fire pit - but here's what you need to know. Should You Add a Fire Pit Outside to Sell a Home? A fire pit definitely adds a splash of cozy fun to a backyard, but is it a good idea to install one in a house you're going to sell or rent out? If you're selling, yes

When you're buying a home as an investment, there are a few things you can do to increase its value. While that may not translate into extra profits at the closing table, these improvements can really pay off if you plan to live in the home or rent it to tenants. 3 Improvement Projects You Can't Overlook as an Investor Check out these three improvement projects you can't overlook as an investor: Staining the deck Putting a new railing on the porch Installing a new mailbox Here's a closer look at each. #1. Staining the deck Everybody loves a good

If you're like most real estate investors, you know that you have to do what it takes to sell a flip - and that includes checking out the best paint colors. Here are a handful of paint colors that can help you sell quickly this spring. Paint Colors That Can Help You Sell a Flip This Spring Painting is a quick pick-me-up that can help you sell a house you've worked on, so check out these hot colors from Realtor.com: Taupe for bedrooms Warm white for living rooms Gray-black for kitchens Here's a closer look at each. #1. Taupe for

If you’re selling a home, you should skip the carpet. There – we said it! Carpet holds no end of dirt and germs in it (terrible for any allergy sufferers), can look grubby within days of installation, and dictates the color of a room for as long as it is in there. And with so many alternatives available, there is no excuse to play it easy and carpet an entire house in a single bland color. Lovely Laminate When laminate flooring first came on the market back in the 90s, it did not look great. But now, it's a fantastic

If you’re flipping a home with a pool you’ve got a great opportunity to wow buyers into a deal by outfitting your pool with all of the latest luxuries. Here are five pool features to help you hook buyers. Tanning Ledge A tanning ledge, also called a tanning shelf or a baja shelf, is an entry point into the pool and is usually at least 5 feet wide and 9 inches deep. A potential buyer can set up a lounge chair on the shelf and bask in the sun while dipping their fingers and toes. They may even place a

Finding a good electrician can be a life saver – and if you've found a good one, hang onto them. While word of mouth is probably going to be one of the most reliable ways to find the electrician you need, if you're new to an area (or that great electrician has work lined up for the next decade and you need a job doing now) then you'll need to do some legwork. Along with all the obvious questions – are you licensed? Are you insured? - here are a few that first-time-flippers may forget. What does your estimate actually

A beautiful kitchen can sell an entire house, and it's worth investing some time to really think about the perfect material for your countertop. With so many options out there, here are a few that can add a serious talking point to your flip. Marvel at Marble Expensive, yes, but timeless, classic, and it will last for generations. The highest quality white marble countertops will set you back around $200 a square foot, but with no two slabs of marble the same you are getting a unique finish to your kitchen. What's more, marble is a surface that will truly

Have you ever walked on a cork floor? It's almost as springy as carpet, but has the look of polished wooden flooring. With a bit of time and imagination, unique patterns and designs can be achieved by playing with cork flooring in different shades. But is it right for your flip? Consider using cork flooring in kids' rooms. It is both durable and soft, perfectly designed for a bit of rough and tumble. It's a great insulator. If there's a particularly cold room you're looking to insulate from all angles, cork flooring is infinitely better than tiles, wood and even

The kitchen is hands down one of the most important rooms in a home. It's where families come together, and buyers are looking for a kitchen that is both practical and stylish. There are some appliances you should really think about if you want the kitchen in your flip to have the edge. Make space for a dishwasher Don't forget to push the fact that not only do these save time spent arm-deep in soapy suds, they're also saving the planet. A full dishwasher uses significantly less water and energy to clean the same amount of dishes as hand washing,

Pretty ensuite bathrooms are the norm, but baths as stylish spa-like retreats will become the new normal in 2020. Turn your next bathroom flip into a relaxation destination for potential buyers with these design trends. Freestanding Bathtubs A freestanding tub can be a showstopper that takes your bathroom to the next level. Whether it’s a contemporary soaker or a cast iron clawfoot, a freestanding tub can be incorporated into just about any design. Buyers will appreciate the prospect of a soothing soak after a long day. Chandeliers Give your bathroom a luxurious lift with a chandelier. Whether you go for