Tag: Home Improvement

If you are looking for ways to spruce up your home but you are on a limited budget we’ve got 10 good strategies that you should try.

These winning techniques will work whether you’re wanting to sell your place or just inexpensively improve things for your families enjoyment.

Depending on your home’s market value and current condition the payback on these fixers will vary, but they all will have value for you.

If you want to tap your home equity to make improvements to your home? Find the lowest rates at www.Bankrate.com.

Here’s the very simple upgrades can easily boost the value of your home by thousands of dollars:

1. It’s getting hot in the kitchen.

As you likely know the kitchen is normally considered the heart and soul of the home and potential buyers will flock to this room right away to make sure it is clean and up to date.

You can easily replace the faucets, door handles on the cabinets and brighten up lighting fixtures with more energy-efficient ones for just a few hundred dollars.

You can even order your own replacement cabinet doors and fronts from places like Lowe’s or The Home Depot and install them yourself.

2. Give that kitchen a facelift.

If your kitchen appliances don’t match, order new doors or panels to make them all match. Here’s a big secret about dishwashers: Many front panels for dishwashers are white on one side and black on the other.

All you have to do is take out 2 screws and flip it over to reverse the color. It’s that simple.

A more uniform-looking kitchen will make a big difference in the mind of potential buyers and in the bottom line of the sale price.

3. Bathroom moves that work.

Bathrooms are next in importance to the kitchen and it doesn’t take a lot of cash to improve then either. Really simple things like a new toilet seat or pedestal sink will make a big difference in the overall look of the bathroom.

Replacing an old, discolored bathroom floor with easy-to-apply vinyl tiles can make a dramatic difference very cheaply. In many cases, you may just be able to lay the new tile over the old and get the job done quickly.

An overall re-grouting of the tile as well as replacing old chipped tiles can also make a huge visual difference. You can use one of those prefabricated tubs and shower surrounds if you want a complete cover-up instead.

4. Big storage = Big Dollars.

Some houses, often older ones, have very little extra closet space. Adding do-it-yourself wire and laminate to closet systems in bedrooms, pantries and entry closets can expand the storage in ways that appeal to everyone.

You can also measure and redesign your closets online if you like. Then you can get design details and parts for these systems most large home-improvement stores.

If you can make your closets more functional while you are still living in the house this will make the home look more customized to potential buyers if you decide to sell.

5. Add a room in a week or less.

If you add a closet to a den you have instantly added another bedroom to your home. The perceived value of another bedroom over a den can be dramatic in the eyes of most potential buyers. Adding a custom closet system and drywall can easily be done for under $1,500.

6. Important mechanic issues.

It would be wise to hire a top electrician and plumber to come to look over your entire electrical system, take care of loose wires, check for bad outlets, as well as fix potential water leaks. These are the issues that will really affect the price you can get for the home overall.

7. Cover your carpet.

Another detail that can make a home look fresher is a new swath of carpet. Even just having a professional carpet cleaning is a very small investment that could make a dramatic difference if your rugs are in good shape but just dirty.

You can also cover places of wear in your carpet with inexpensive, properly placed area rugs. It’s not really necessary to replace the carpet wall to wall as new homeowners often want to choose their own.

8. Let the light shine in.

From boring recessed lights in your dining room to dim overhead lights in the bedroom consider replacing these with higher wattage but energy saving bulbs or even go all out and add an eye-catching chandelier. You can find a wide range of inexpensive, but nice-looking, ceiling fixtures at most home improvement stores. For ceiling fan lights consider buying replacement fan blades to update the fixture’s look.

9. Welcome to the entryway.

Believe it or not but a nice big shiny doorknob that is firmly attached can make a huge first impression. Also, a wood front door has a calming, welcoming effect on most new buyers. If you’re stuck with a basic steel front door, try painting it or using a faux-finish for more eye appeal.

You can use a burgundy base paint to give a nice cherry feel. After it dries, brush over the base coat with a cherry wood stain. That will make the door look amazing.

10. It starts at the curb.

The first impression is something you never get a second chance to make so simple things like a mowed lawn and well-trimmed hedges can make or break potential buyers before they even enter the home.

Consider hiring a landscaper to design a viewer-friendly set up by installing some new sod, planting a few shrubs and organize the greenery in an eye-catching way. If you want to instantly change a potential buyers view of your home these simple changes can make a huge difference for very little out of pocket money.