Is it better to replace the carpet or offer a carpeting allowance to buyers?

Replacing the carpet to help the house sell faster is a favorite with real estate agents. And there's a good reason. Taking a shortcut by offering a carpeting allowance doesn't have the visual impression – or sales impact – of new carpet. Here are some guidelines to be sure the new carpet has the maximum effect:

Select neutral colors. The color should be neutral or a dull color tone to help the room look bigger. When carpeting several adjoining rooms, the same carpet should be used, if possible – again to make the house seem larger and more unified.

Select high quality pad. The pad under the carpet is important, and not a place to cut corners. A good pad is dense and resilient, and gives an expensive feel to almost any carpet. Pads come in a variety of materials including rubber, foam, felt, and jute.

Select fiber carefully. Choose a fiber that suits the area where the carpet will be installed. Carpets are made of a variety of man-made and natural fibers, and often are comprised of popular combinations of fibers. Nylon is durable and resilient, and suitable for high-traffic areas. Olefin is economical and stain-resistant, good for active families. Polyester is soft and elegant, and appropriate for a higher-style area. Wool is a warm natural fiber, luxurious and expensive.

Select loop to match use. The type of loop should depend on the use. A sheared loop like plush works in more formal areas; a continuous loop, such as Berber, is suitable for children's play areas.