Smart Renovation Investments That Won’t Break the Bank
April 28, 2016 by
Filed under Blog
Whether you’re looking to sell your home, or stay there for a while, chances are something needs updating and improvement. There’s always something to be done! Selling is the best time to invest in those renovation upgrades, because a few dollars here and there can really pay off in a higher sales price. Here are a few ideas for adding value to your house for much less than an expensive bathroom remodel (which won’t pay for itself anyway):
Curb AppealPeople do judge a house by the cover! Other than an updated kitchen, curb appeal is the most important upgrade you can make to your house when selling. A terrific front yard, beautiful new front door, and fresh paint and trim all make your house look like a rock star in the real estate listings and in person. This might be the time to pull out an ugly, struggling lawn and replace it with water-friendly landscaping instead.Make sure the walkway between your beautiful new front door and the sidewalk (if you have one) is in good repair too, and doesn’t look dated and cracked.
Hit the Deck
In the back yard, landscaping is less important, but having updated and clean entertaining space matters. If you have a deck, make sure it’s in good repair, and give it a fresh coat of paint or sealer. If you don’t have a deck, now might be the time to get one built. You can also add a barbecue area or sun shades to make the back yard even more appealing and updated. One thing you don’t want to add is a pool or spa. They are expensive to maintain and use a lot of water, and can actually deter buyers who don’t want the hassle.
That Really Blows
If your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system works fine, it’s easy to forget about it. But if it’s old or has been struggling for a while, it’s a smart investment to update the system and then use it as a selling point. Make sure the unit is the proper size for the square footage of the house and not too small, which is a common problem. Make sure the baffles and ducts are in good repair and not stuck or clogged, such as with a surprise animal nest.
Getting Underfoot
New carpet or wood flooring isn’t cheap, but it is an important investment when getting a house ready to show to potential buyers, especially if you have animals. For carpet, pick something pleasantly neutral but not too light in color if people will be doing a lot of walk-throughs. High-low pile carpet with blobs of different stain-hiding browns was popular in the 1980s… and wow, does it look dated today. 2016’s living room carpets have subtle leaf or scroll patterns and look downright elegant. In wood flooring there are a lot of fun choices, with sustainable bamboo being a top pick, especially for younger buyers.
Off the WallJust like that terrible old carpet, few things make a house look more dated than terrible old wall treatments. 1970s glossy wood paneling or 1980s loud wallpaper make the rest of the house look tired and uncared for. “Cottage cheese” acoustic ceilings are out, too. Old wall coverings (and old paint) can show a lot of wear next to doors and light switches, too. New paint or wall treatments are one of the best (and cheapest) ways to make the inside of your house feel fresh, clean, and updated.
Of course, The Fix-It Professionals can help you with most of your renovation tasks, from flooring to cottage cheese ceiling, inside and out. Selling your house and moving can feel overwhelming, and we want to help! Call us today to schedule an assessment walk-through, and you can hire us on retainer to get the very best price for when the renovation work begins.
Kitchens v. Baths, Which Is The Better Upgrade Investment?
April 14, 2016 by
Filed under Blog
It’s the battle of the century! Which powerful force will win? Which one is the crowd favorite? No, it’s not the new Batman v. Superman movie, it’s kitchens v. baths when it comes to your remodeling investment dollars! These are the two rooms that get the most attention when people are looking for ways to make their house more valuable, usually in preparation to sell.
Before you start anything, talk to a real estate agent in your area. They have the most up-to-date knowledge of what buyers are currently looking for where you live, right down to the exact brand of kitchen appliances.Another general rule is: Don’t be too extreme.Keep colors neutral, or even just white, which makes it easier for buyers to personalize things once they move in. With that in mind, don’t get too crazy with expensive specialty sinks, cabinet hardware, and appliances. You may love that 7-nozzle all-over shower booth or hidden wine cellar below the floor, but that kind of stuff not only drives up the price of the house, you may never find a buyer who feels the same way about them that you do.
Now let’s take a look at some good upgrades for the kitchen and bath that give you a good return on your investment:
What’s Hot in the Kitchen?
Granite counter tops (or composite lookalikes) are still tops, and people expect them when shopping for a new house, but any nice-looking grade has the same value so you can stick with inexpensive here. Tile with grout is very hard to keep clean and cracks easily, so that’s a bad choice. Laminate counters went out with rotary dial telephones and are not considered any kind of upgrade at all, no matter how new.
This is a good time to add nice little features like under-cabinet lighting, a pull-out spice drawer, a small wine rack, device charging stations, dimmer switches, or even a dining island if you have the space. It’s the clever little touches that impress younger buyers and can make a sale without much cost at all.
Don’t Take a Bath On Your InvestmentA big fancy bathtub looks great in photos, but young couples don’t have time to take a bath! It’s sad, but true. If given a choice, most buyers will opt for a nicer shower and a nicer sink. Cabinet space is another important feature that some bathroom remodels seem to forget about. Sure, that pedestal bowl sink with the big round mirror look great, but where are you supposed to keep your toothbrush and deodorant?
Like counters in the kitchen, a new floor in the bath can make it look really great and modern… if you use great and modern flooring. Cheap vinyl flooring looks, well, cheap. And it doesn’t last very long. Tile remains a good investment because of its durability and water resistance, and there are so many fun and beautiful choices in colors, shapes, sizes, and materials!
But Which One Has the Best ROI?
Ah, but which one is the best in our battle between kitchens and baths? And the winner, for best return on investment is… kitchens! But only if you don’t go crazy with expensive features. A simple facelift is the way to go. New cabinet fronts and knobs/pulls, an inexpensive granite counter, some additional electrical and USB outlets, some modestly-priced appliances, new flooring, and a fresh coat of paint (don’t forget the ceiling!) will more than pay for itself when it’s time to show the house to potential buyers.
Of course, The Fix-It Professionals can give your kitchen, bath, or any room in the house the facelift it needs! From floor to ceiling, we can install light fixtures and appliances, get that new flooring put in, and add the nice little touches that are so popular right now, like device charging stations. Not to mention, clear out the stuff to get it all going.
Spring and summer are the prime house-buying seasons, so give us a call today to get your place in ship shape, and ask about hiring us on retainer for the very best price.
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