Opening Doors Blog

Wall-to-wall carpeting has many virtues, soft and forgiving. It creates visual warmth with its texture as well as real warmth with its insulative properties, and it also absorbs sound. Carpeting can also hide a multitude of flaws in the floor beneath. It can be permanently installed directly on plywood subfloors. With the right fiber and weave, and with consistent maintenance, carpeting can last for decades. [...] Read More

These semi- and nonporous materials offer a wide range of colors, patterns and textures. They can also last indefinitely, but their weight demands appropriate installation and subflooring. [...] Read More

The same technology used to produce laminate countertop material is also used for laminate flooring. The surface, which can be made to resemble almost any kind of natural material - from marble to wood to verdigris copper - is bonded to a fiberboard core. It installs with tongue and groove fit to "float" on the subfloor. It is generally easy to care for. It will eventually show abrasion marks if grit is allowed to grind in. [...] Read More

Resilient flooring is so named because it is made from flexible synthetic materials. It is manufactured in rolled sheets as well as in several tile sizes. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. The most commonly used material is vinyl. It has the virtue of being resistant to scuffs, scratches and water. These features make it a good choice for large spaces and high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. Most resilient floorings come with a semi-gloss no-wax finish. [...] Read More

Every species of wood is graded and priced according to standards that are recognized industry-wide. Each type of wood flooring comes in a set of standard dimensions and is laid in a different manner. Flooring is a major investment and mistakes can be costly so consider having a professional lay any new wood floor. [...] Read More

Now that we have tackled the basics of buying and selling a home, let's move on to how to take care of your home. Let's start with the floors and flooring. The foundation of any home decorating scheme is literally the beautiful floors. Installing new floors is satisfying but expensive. Though with a small investment and a little grease on the elbow, you can give a renewed life to old floors. [...] Read More

Every time you receive an offer, always ask your real estate agent about the bidder: Has the potential buyer already sold a home in the past? Are they a couple with kids who need to be settled in before the school year starts? Is it someone who has already been pre-approved for a loan? Remember that what you learn can help you decide how to respond. The process of making offers and counteroffers can continue through several rounds. [...] Read More

One of the most difficult decisions for sellers is determining their price range. Pricing is difficult because they tend to overestimate the value of their homes. Because let's face it, it is hard to be objective about your own home. You'll miss the opportunity to attract a lot of buyers during the first three or four weeks that the property is on the market if you overprice. The first few weeks are a high-traffic period of time since buyers like to check out the new listings. Ask your real estate agent to give a written comparables or 'comps' and ask for a recommendation as well. [...] Read More

The idea of saving the real estate agent's commission fee inspires many people to sell their home without professional help. But to make the best decision for yourself, consider the following: [...] Read More

If you are planning to sell your home, try to see it through the eyes of a potential buyer. Imagine that you're seeing it for the first time. You may spot some problems that you have been overlooking. You might want to refer to the checklist in Assess the Physical Condition of a Home to find out which cleaning, replacing and repairing tasks will help sell your home quickly. Also, ask a real estate agent for advice on what needs to be done to make the house attractive to the potential buyers. Ask the realtor where it is best to invest your time and money. Like for example, will it be worth your money to give the walls a fresh coat of paint throughout the house? Or to replace an outdated, undersized water heater. Remember to tackle the most pressing problems first. But be wary of over-investing in upgrading the house. For example, it is very unlikely you will recoup the cost of a remodeled bathroom or new kitchen cabinets. Though such improvements may help your home sell faster, if not for more money. [...] Read More