Whether you’re planning to stay in your home for several more years or are looking to move within months, it’s never too early to start thinking about what it will take to get top dollar for your home. Fortunately, there are a few quick and inexpensive things you can do now to boost your home’s value so that once the time comes to go on market, you don’t find yourself with an overwhelming to do list.
Quick kitchen makeover
The kitchen is one room in your home that can easily look dingy and dated. But in one weekend, chipped cabinets can be re-painted or re-stained, old hardware switched out and an updated lighting fixture installed. Clear off countertops and give them, and their backsplashes, a good scrubbing. To help accessorize, consider purchasing fresh towels, oven mitts, rugs or other tapestries on display that have become stained and dirty.
Remove popcorn ceilings
The average cost to have popcorn ceilings removed by a professional is anywhere from $1-3 per square foot. But if you do it yourself, you’ll just be out the cost of some plastic tarps, your preferred device for spraying water and a putty knife. Yes, removal is as simple (and as messy) as getting the popcorn wet and scraping it off. Finish with a fresh coat of paint and call it a weekend. Just remember that if you live in an older home, the ceiling should be tested for asbestos first. Cost for testing is usually minimal and should still fit within your $500 budget.
Add a fresh coat of paint
At around $25 a gallon, this can be a quick and inexpensive home improvement project. Color trends change over the years so if you haven’t painted in a while, chances are your walls could use an update. If selling is in your near future, remember that lighter colors make rooms look larger and neutral tones are more appealing to potential buyers.
Fix up the yard
With 48 hours and $500, you could make a huge improvement on curb appeal. A bag of grass seed to fill in dead spots on the lawn, a tree to provide shade and cut cooling costs, and a few flowers to brighten up dead beds could be the trick. Or go the opposite route with drought resistant plants, lowering your (and a future owner’s) monthly water bill. And by renting a pressure washer, you can clean away years of built up grim from your home’s siding, front walkway, decks and fences in a matter of hours.
Declutter
This is possibly the least expensive, but potentially most time-consuming task on our list. Still, decluttering has proven to add value and should be a top priority if you’re planning to put your home up for sale. Clearing space on walls, shelves, floors and in closets will make your home feel more spacious, organized and inviting to potential buyers. And if you’re not selling for a while, consider it an investment into your sanity as you reap the benefits of living in a calm, decluttered space.
Boosting the value of your home doesn’t always mean expensive and time-consuming remodel projects. Even with a small budget and a bit of sweat equity, you can really make a difference. What home improvement projects will you be taking on this weekend?
No comments:
Post a Comment