Have you ever toured a home and just wanted to run right back outside? Hold on! If the location and price are good otherwise, maybe updates could overcome your dislikes. Ask yourself what you could do to make a creepy home warm and inviting.

Better lighting –Low light, especially from too few windows, can be spooky and depressing. Can windows be enlarged? Can the electrical be updated to allow for the installation of sconces and ceiling lights? 

Re-designed living areas – Awkward layouts or rooms too small for their purpose can make a home feel claustrophobic. Can the ceilings be raised into the attic? Can a wall or two be removed? Can space be “borrowed” from another room for better flow? 

Simple maintenance – Keeping a home in good condition shows that it’s loved, while neglect makes homebuyers feel uncomfortable. Can repairs be easily made? Can musty smells be identified and eliminated through cleaning or remodeling?

Modern updates – Homes stuck in the past feel like you’re in the Twilight Zone. Is there enough room in the budget to remodel to get the home to meet your criteria?

The spookiest house in the neighborhood could become the home of your dreams.

One pleasure in buying an older home is the dazzling fall colors of your trees. But, what happens to the leaves when they fall?

Gutters route roof water away from vulnerable areas of the home’s exterior and garden, so don’t let leaves clog them. If your new home doesn’t have gutters or needs new ones, consider investing in them as an important part of your home’s curb appeal.

Today’s gutters are far from the boring half-pipe gullies of the past. Gutters come in an array of sizes, materials and designs that add style and value to your home. The K-style has a staircase design that resembles crown molding, so your home appears finished in finer detail from the street. 

Vinyl is the most economical, but least durable. Aluminum is better but can still crack like vinyl. If your home is surrounded by trees, or your area experiences strong winds, choose steel, zinc or copper which can bear more weight and last a lifetime.

A general rule is the more durable and valuable the material, the higher the cost, but the longer it will last, according to Bankrate.com. You can also get leaf and debris guards to minimize home maintenance chores.