Tiled News You Can Use

New Features Help Home Sellers Find Buyers

December, 2009

Photo: Supreme Surface

Home sales within the state of Virginia (and in many other states) are up, but that doesn’t mean that sellers should rest easy. As the Virginian-Pilot recently reported, there are many things that sellers should take into consideration before attempting to sell a home in today’s market.

In the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area, more than 1,164 homes were sold during December. According to the paper, “Housing sales are up 87 percent from November 2008.” While this is good news, the Virginian-Pilot points out, “The competition among sellers is fierce, with an inventory of almost 12,979 houses in November.”

Therefore, sellers must make wise choices when it comes to home upgrades. It’s crucial to replace old entry doors and to make sure that siding is up to par. But what kind of tiles are buyers looking for? “New and clean is good,” the article states, but buyers are also looking for “good taste...that adds value.”

This may be confusing for some sellers who aren’t sure what “good taste” is or how to “add value” to a kitchen or bathroom. When it comes to picking out tiles for a home that you hope to sell, there are some things to keep in mind at all times.

Simple and traditional designs work best. While you may love the look of brightly-colored tiles that include your initials, most home buyers won’t share the same taste. Instead, select tiles that are simple and clean, such as off-white or basic black tiles.

Update your backsplash with tile. Actual tiles above the counter are an attractive feature to most buyers. While some sellers may choose to invest kitchen remodelling money on countertops, adding a quality backsplash is often just as important.

In the bathroom, choose tiled floors and walls instead of laminate or plastic. Tiled bathrooms still impress most home buyers, while cheaper materials are usually not worth the time or effort.

Make sure that any kitchen or bathroom floor tiles are non-slip. It’s an added plus to most buyers.

If your town is anything like Hampton Roads, Virginia, then you will be facing some fierce competition when you try to sell your house. So make sure that your home is up to date and tastefully remodeled, and don’t forget the little things, like tiles.

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Author Harriette Halepis is a writer based in Montreal. She specializes in DIY and modern interior design. Ask Harriette for advice on anything from vegetarian Canadian bacon to adding mod accents to your home décor.