To reform or not to reform? That is often the question for homeowners who decide to put their home on the market. Even if you’ve taken excellent care of your home, if you’ve lived in it for more than a few years, chances are your tastes have changed. What that means is that potential buyers who come to see your home have probably also seen homes that are newer and more up-to-date than yours. But how do you know what to change and what to leave? Knowing the answer to that question could save you hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars. Here are some tips that can help you decide where to spend your money.
Start with the kitchen, but start small
Unless you’re a 1980s nightmare, don’t do a complete overhaul of your kitchen. Kitchen renovations are notoriously expensive, and while real estate agents often say the kitchen sells the house, that’s no reason to exaggerate. You can make your kitchen presentable and pleasing with a few easy and inexpensive changes, and the key to doing it successfully is to make moderate changes in stages and then stop and assess whether or not you need to continue. For example, don’t start by knocking down a wall; instead, replace your old appliances with new ones and change the hardware in your closets and cabinets. If you’re still not satisfied, move on to larger projects like painting the walls or replacing or refinishing the counters with a DIY kit. Chances are, your kitchen will look almost new, and you’ll have spent much less money than if you had gone for a true renovation.
Repair or replace outdated flooring in select areas
For your next quick fix, look down and see what’s under your feet. Does your home have old stained carpet, warped laminate, or peeling linoleum? If the answer is yes, then you have a lot of work to do, but luckily for you, flooring options are more diverse and affordable than ever. The best way to save money is to buy a neutral-toned berber rug for bedrooms because berber is durable, attractive, and affordable. In entryways, opt for authentic-looking chunky tile-style linoleum. Then, if you absolutely must fix your hardwood or laminate floors, only do so in high-traffic living areas and see if a spot treatment is possible. You may be able to get away with replacing a few boards or a small section without having to lift the entire floor.
Give new life to old lamps
Surprisingly, light fixtures are very influential when it comes to potential buyers judging your home as outdated or up-to-date. Just one dusty old lamp can effectively ruin the ambiance of a room, yet many people look to them when looking to make improvements before putting their home up for sale. But take another look, are your accessories hideous bright orange glass globes from the 1970s that absolutely need to be replaced or just need a little sprucing up? Do you have an old-school brass chandelier over your dining room table? This is where a can of spray paint can become your best friend. Detach the chandelier from the ceiling, take it outside, place it on a large plastic sheet, and give it a coat of black, gray, or off-white spray paint, depending on your decor, and watch it come to life (drip care). You can repeat this process for all the lamps in your house if they can be saved. The cost to you? Less than $50.
Don’t let putting your house on the market turn you into a human ATM. Use these simple tips to make your home look its best and help you save money in the long run.
