Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects to consider when selling your home. A beautiful exterior can often make the difference between a potential buyer seeing the inside of your house, or never getting out of their car.
The following Downloadable PDF contains curb appeal updates that can be completed in a few hours or a few days, depending on your time and budget. There’s a curb appeal checklist at the end for you to look over and ensure your home is looking its best.
Shared Article. Originally published by Mady Dahlstrom, Porch.com on November 3, 2016. Web Reference: http://porch.com/advice/easy-home-upgrades/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9_8_2017Updating your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. From a fresh coat of paint to new light fixtures and decor, there are many easy interior and exterior home upgrades you can successfully achieve on a budget. Whether you hire a professional to do the work for you or take on the task of updating your home on your own, you can give your space a mini makeover without breaking the bank.
Scroll on to see a few easy budget-friendly upgrades for every room in your home.
A bold accent wall in your bathroom or a clean, white coat of paint on your kitchen walls will instantly give your home a new look. Don’t be afraid to mix in a pop of color or go for a darker shade of blue or purple, especially in the winter season.
Updating your lighting is a thrifty way to breathe new life into a room. Switch out the ceiling fixture above your dining room table or install new hanging pendant lights in your kitchen. There are many affordable light fixtures you can purchase or you can upcycle an antique for a modern vibe.
Updating knobs, pulls, rods and handles is a simple upgrade that will make any room feel less dated. Make sure your home’s hardware matches or coordinates throughout each room for a cohesive look. Some hardware you can buy for cheap and easily install on your own, while others may require the help of a professional.
Discolored caulk can make your bathroom appear dirty. Give your whole bathroom a facelift by applying new caulk to the tub, shower walls or sink. This little project won’t break the bank and can have a big impact on the appearance of your bathroom.
You can refinish your deck in just a few simple steps. Wash off leaves and dirt with a hose or pressure washer, scrub the wood and boards with a cleaning solution, rinse, dry, and stain with a new finish. Depending on the size of your deck, you can complete this project for under $100 or hire a professional to do it for you.
A new kitchen or bathroom backsplash can add style and character to your home. Brighten up a space with a multicolored backsplash or choose a subway tile pattern for a classic charm. You can install the backsplash on your own, switch out your current backsplash with a mirror, purchase peel and stick tile or get it installed by a professional.
Is moisture, humidity, and bad odors filling your bathroom? Update your bathroom vent fan to limit mold and noise, while ultimately improving the function and appearance of your space.
One of the easiest ways to upgrade your home is by accessorizing with decorative touches. Candles, vases of fresh flowers, wall mirrors, picture frames, a welcome mat and throw pillows are just a few ideas that will spruce up your space for very little cash.
Renovating your kitchen can mean serious profit when selling your home. Even small, basic improvements to your kitchen can pay big dividends. For most buyers, the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that means it has the greatest profit potential. Here are a few suggestions for improving your kitchen without investing tens of thousands in remodeling costs. In the short term, consider changing floors, cabinets, and fixtures. Consider sanding, staining, or painting dingy looking cabinets. Replacing old cabinet hardware (a low-cost improvement) can make a huge difference in appearance. Look at your counter tops and other surface areas that draw the eye. Also, look at the kitchen sink and fixtures. If they’re old and worn, replacing them with contemporary fixtures and a new sink can make a world of difference…not just in aesthetics, but in hard dollars.In some cases, spending $4,000 on a cosmetically outdated kitchen can add as much as $15,000 in extra value of the home. One of our Investor Clients recently purchased a single family home in East Orlando, making major improvements to the kitchen which included new cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring and raising the ceiling. The photos below show the vast difference in the "before and after" appearance. Click here to view more photos of this outstanding kitchen makeover. There are a number of factors that go into determining how well your project will pay back. Payback value depends a lot on the current market conditions in your area. If the market is hot and homes are selling fast, you can expect a higher payback value than you would get in a slow market.Another factor to consider is the cost of the improvements. If you can do the work yourself, you can save significantly on the cost of the project and greatly improve the chances of getting a good return on the investment.