I was searching the web for help with getting my house ready to sell. I had never heard of “staging” a house. I have cleaned, packed away all clutter, and sold some furniture to make the rooms look bigger, but I have one issue I need your advice on. I consider myself to be pretty handy around the house so I decided to save money and put in a concrete driveway myself. After a small tremor (we experience many here in LA) I noticed my vintage VW bug in a large sinkhole where I had just poured the new driveway. (Sinkholes are also common in LA.) Well here’s my question: Should I repair this and make it a driveway again, or use the opportunity to make it into a swimming pool or hot tub? I don’t know which choice would get the biggest bang for the buck here in LA. What’s your suggestion?

Brandon Richards
Los Angeles, CA

Dear Brandon,

First of all I commend you for soliciting professional advice in the selling of your home. Stagers and realtors are extremely knowledgeable about how to “get the biggest bank for your buck” in making improvements to your property.

It would be a good idea to hook up with a qualified realtor in LA as they will be best able to help you with the nuances that are unique to the LA housing market, like deciding whether a new driveway, hot tub or pool would fit in the space appropriately.

Based on the picture you attached to your email, I would suggest not trying to repair the driveway or installing a hot tub or swimming pool by yourself. I’m sure you’re very handy around the house, but some projects are best left to the experts. A realtor or stager in your area will have lots of professional contacts to help you make the necessary repairs or improvements.