Do you ever log onto realtor.com and search the listings in your area even though you aren't in the market? I love to check out the houses for sale for two reasons 1)It's a great way to get decorating ideas and 2) To see what homes typically sale for in my area. Its been awhile since I logged on, but when I did recently I was completely shocked at what the houses are selling for. I mean some of them are at least $30,000 less than what they originally sold for.
 |
| 88,900 |
 |
| 105,000 |
 |
| 123,000 |
So how do we know what to upgrade and improve. We dont want to put more money into the house just to take a bigger loss one day down the road, but we also dont want to live with things as they are just to have to improve them to sell. How do you balance improving your home without putting more in than what you can get out?
You dont have to break the bank to improve your home.
Wait for things to go on super sale, like we did when we installed our new flooring downstairs. By hubby doing all the work himself, borrowing necessary tools instead of renting or buying, and waiting for a sale, we saved at least $1,200.
Decide what will give you the most bang for your buck
According to Kiplinger, these are the top three home improvement projects that will give your home a better value.
1. Reface Your Kitchen Cabinets
Rather than redoing the entire kitchen for $25,000-$50,000, resurfacing your cabinets is an easy, cost-effective upgrade. Having your cabinets repainted will cost you between $4,000-$6,000, but handy homeowners might tackle the project themselves for a couple hundred dollars. We hired a friend to paint our kitchen cabinets and it made a huge difference. Including paint and supplies we spent $400, a good bang for our buck in my opinion.
Rather than redoing the entire kitchen for $25,000-$50,000, resurfacing your cabinets is an easy, cost-effective upgrade. Having your cabinets repainted will cost you between $4,000-$6,000, but handy homeowners might tackle the project themselves for a couple hundred dollars. We hired a friend to paint our kitchen cabinets and it made a huge difference. Including paint and supplies we spent $400, a good bang for our buck in my opinion.
2. Replace the Sinks and Faucets
Sinks have come a long way in design and function. The current trend is toward undermounted sinks which look great and are easier to clean. Such cast-iron and stainless steel sinks cost around $1,000. You might even have luck finding one at your local Habitat Restore or even on the ever popular Craigslist.
Sinks have come a long way in design and function. The current trend is toward undermounted sinks which look great and are easier to clean. Such cast-iron and stainless steel sinks cost around $1,000. You might even have luck finding one at your local Habitat Restore or even on the ever popular Craigslist.
3. Replace Your Countertops
Improved laminate countertops are the more affordable options at $25 to $50 per linear foot and silestone carries a $50-$125 per linear foot price tag. For a more expensive designer look, concrete or recycled glass might be attractive options.
Improved laminate countertops are the more affordable options at $25 to $50 per linear foot and silestone carries a $50-$125 per linear foot price tag. For a more expensive designer look, concrete or recycled glass might be attractive options.
Although these three projects will give you a good return on your investment any realtor will tell you the best projects for improving the value of your home are the most affordable and the easiest to do yourself, the house and yard should be cleaned and all clutter removed. Good curb appeal will draw them into the home, and a clean clutter free one will help them see past the outdated appliances and see potential and not problems.
What upgrades, renovations are you doing in your home these days?
What upgrades, renovations are you doing in your home these days?
We replaced our countertops when we moved in 4 years ago, recently repainted the kitchen & it's cabinets...replaced the hardware and light fixtures, and closed in a screened porch to make a new room! I am hoping when we sell in the next 1-2 years, these things will help us! :)
ReplyDeleteI think about this sometimes. But then I think of all the work involved in selling and buying a new home and I think its not in the cards for us right now. We did refinance and 5 years from now we will be sitting awesome! We have a 15 year mortgage now. :)
ReplyDeleteI bought a fixer-upper a couple months ago. The better question would be what am I not updating/renovating? haha! I'm finishing up one of the bathrooms right now. It doesn't even look like the same room and I spent less than $300. It just shows improvements don't have to be expensive.
ReplyDeleteThese are good tips for updating your home, thanks for sharing! We updated the kitchen and all the lighting in our 1930's home since we've been here, hoping it will help when we sell.
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