Faux crystal faucet handles
There’s nothing tackier than acrylic knobs and fake crystal faucet handles in the bathroom. Apart from screaming kitsch, they are also not practical if you have soapy hands. Not to mention kids and elderly people will find it quite difficult to use.
If you want to keep things simple and practical, get rid of the faux handles and install faucets and handles that match the existing fixture’s configuration and can also be used by people with disabilities, as per the standard of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The fixtures with polished-chrome finish are quite cheap and resilient. For example, center set chrome faucets cost between $25 to $50 while the price of widespread faucets starts at $60.
Acoustic tile and dropped ceilings
If your home is a bit older, you might have had the brilliant idea to use acoustic tile squares to hide cracks or other damages to the plaster. Hey, no need to feel bad about it, it was a quick fix. But for buyers, it’s not exactly a sign that you have been maintaining your house properly. Sotheby’s Seminara-Holzberg recommends getting rid of the tiles, and cover whatever damage with drywall.
Moreover, prior to selling your home, you might need to do an asbestos test if your home is older than 40 years old. Many residences built before 1980 contain asbestos in old floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles insulation etc.
You might also want to take down the dropped ceilings, as they make a room seem smaller. Buyers hate small rooms. Therefore, get rid of the dropped ceiling and repaint the room including floor, joints floor underlayment and pipes. “As tall as you can make the basement, the better,” says Seminara-Holzberg.
