(Guest Post)
If you are trying to add resale value to your home, you have to consider several different factors that go into selling a house - initial impressions which include both curb appeal outside and sense of space inside the house; and comfort, which translates to the warmth and usability of that space!
The interior of the house should be clutter free, and comfortably furnished with pieces appropriate to the style of the house. Avoid any décor that is overtly flamboyant - you want the prospective buyers to see the house, not the trappings. Use high wattage light bulbs to make everything brighter.Walls can sometimes be scrubbed if the quality of the paint is good - try one room and see if it looks adequate or if a fresh paint job should be applied. High quality latex paint is the best option; be sure you use a primer coat first, then one or two coats of paint, sanding and wiping away dust with a damp cloth in between coats.The floors should be looked at as well; new carpeting may be needed in high traffic areas, or you can opt for wood or tile as an upgrade.
Kitchens and baths can be dramatically changed for the better with tile floors, increasing the value of your home. If your house is older, check under carpet for original solid hardwood - often vintage flooring can be refinished and this is coming back into style!Trim out each room as it is completed to create a finished look. Crown molding at the ceiling, baseboard at the floor. You can replace door moldings, light switches and fixtures, and add chair railing if desired.
Railing allows you to spice up hallways or bedrooms with a two tone effect on the walls, but keep the colors neutral for wider appeal.Old faded curtains should go, as well as blinds. New blinds or window treatments should be installed, and the windows washed then scrubbed with newspaper for a streak free shine. Ceiling fans are a must for Southern residences to keep the air moving on muggy days. Ensure that all windows open and close properly, too.
Modern bathrooms are expected to be spacious and bright. This can be difficult when working with houses built half a century ago. If there is space to expand a bathroom, it could well be worth the investment. If not, bright new tile, pale colors and updated furnishings can make the room seem larger. Make sure the hardware for the sink and bath are updated - a fancy shower nozzle can make all the difference! Make sure the toilet is modern and has a high enough seat for comfort.
The kitchen is the gathering place for many families, and the first place the homemaker half of a couple looks at. Kitchens sell houses. If you can update the kitchen to form a cheerful, open, welcoming place then the house is halfway to being sold. The same policy that applied to the bath applies to the kitchen - if it narrow and cramped, consider expansion. Dark cabinets and wallpaper can make a small kitchen feel smaller, so lighten the shades and replace the hardware.A new sink will make anyone look a kitchen favorably, so make that your first replacement. A double basin is a must, and it should be deep enough to soak a load of dishes. Add a new faucet with a spray nozzle while you are at it. A garbage disposal and dishwasher are almost required. You can use an epoxy to refinish countertops to look like new, or tile them and add a matching backsplash.
Appliances that must be removed should be replaced with energy efficient ones, and the entire room should sparkle with cleanliness.The outside of the house provides a first impression, and should match the inside. A well kept lawn and landscaped yard with properly pruned trees and bushes will offer great curb appeal. Consider planting a flowerbed, and edging the walk with river rock or pavers. The porch should be clear of clutter and debris, and the mailbox and doorbell in good condition. If the front door has seen better days, a new one might be in order.The roof should be inspected in case a new one is needed, and gutters checked and cleaned.
The whole house can be power washed to remove dirt and grime, and the outside windows cleaned. Shutters can be taken off and cleaned or repainted. The driveway should be scrubbed and any outside patio furniture replaced if it is not in good condition.Houses sell for hundreds of dollars per square foot. Many old houses are incorrectly recorded having less square footage than they actually do have.
It is worth a few hundred dollars to have a professional assess your house’s square footage if you could potentially make back thousands. A professional will also need to appraise your home after you finish renovating, to let you know how much all of your hard work has been worth. If you have diligently stayed on your budget and done most of the work yourself, you will probably be looking at a substantial improvement in your home’s value, far outstripping the money you put into it!
The interior of the house should be clutter free, and comfortably furnished with pieces appropriate to the style of the house. Avoid any décor that is overtly flamboyant - you want the prospective buyers to see the house, not the trappings. Use high wattage light bulbs to make everything brighter.Walls can sometimes be scrubbed if the quality of the paint is good - try one room and see if it looks adequate or if a fresh paint job should be applied. High quality latex paint is the best option; be sure you use a primer coat first, then one or two coats of paint, sanding and wiping away dust with a damp cloth in between coats.The floors should be looked at as well; new carpeting may be needed in high traffic areas, or you can opt for wood or tile as an upgrade.
Kitchens and baths can be dramatically changed for the better with tile floors, increasing the value of your home. If your house is older, check under carpet for original solid hardwood - often vintage flooring can be refinished and this is coming back into style!Trim out each room as it is completed to create a finished look. Crown molding at the ceiling, baseboard at the floor. You can replace door moldings, light switches and fixtures, and add chair railing if desired.
Railing allows you to spice up hallways or bedrooms with a two tone effect on the walls, but keep the colors neutral for wider appeal.Old faded curtains should go, as well as blinds. New blinds or window treatments should be installed, and the windows washed then scrubbed with newspaper for a streak free shine. Ceiling fans are a must for Southern residences to keep the air moving on muggy days. Ensure that all windows open and close properly, too.
Modern bathrooms are expected to be spacious and bright. This can be difficult when working with houses built half a century ago. If there is space to expand a bathroom, it could well be worth the investment. If not, bright new tile, pale colors and updated furnishings can make the room seem larger. Make sure the hardware for the sink and bath are updated - a fancy shower nozzle can make all the difference! Make sure the toilet is modern and has a high enough seat for comfort.
The kitchen is the gathering place for many families, and the first place the homemaker half of a couple looks at. Kitchens sell houses. If you can update the kitchen to form a cheerful, open, welcoming place then the house is halfway to being sold. The same policy that applied to the bath applies to the kitchen - if it narrow and cramped, consider expansion. Dark cabinets and wallpaper can make a small kitchen feel smaller, so lighten the shades and replace the hardware.A new sink will make anyone look a kitchen favorably, so make that your first replacement. A double basin is a must, and it should be deep enough to soak a load of dishes. Add a new faucet with a spray nozzle while you are at it. A garbage disposal and dishwasher are almost required. You can use an epoxy to refinish countertops to look like new, or tile them and add a matching backsplash.
Appliances that must be removed should be replaced with energy efficient ones, and the entire room should sparkle with cleanliness.The outside of the house provides a first impression, and should match the inside. A well kept lawn and landscaped yard with properly pruned trees and bushes will offer great curb appeal. Consider planting a flowerbed, and edging the walk with river rock or pavers. The porch should be clear of clutter and debris, and the mailbox and doorbell in good condition. If the front door has seen better days, a new one might be in order.The roof should be inspected in case a new one is needed, and gutters checked and cleaned.
The whole house can be power washed to remove dirt and grime, and the outside windows cleaned. Shutters can be taken off and cleaned or repainted. The driveway should be scrubbed and any outside patio furniture replaced if it is not in good condition.Houses sell for hundreds of dollars per square foot. Many old houses are incorrectly recorded having less square footage than they actually do have.
It is worth a few hundred dollars to have a professional assess your house’s square footage if you could potentially make back thousands. A professional will also need to appraise your home after you finish renovating, to let you know how much all of your hard work has been worth. If you have diligently stayed on your budget and done most of the work yourself, you will probably be looking at a substantial improvement in your home’s value, far outstripping the money you put into it!
Author’s Bio:
Cedric Crumbley lives in Des Moines, IA and is the publisher of eminent-kitchen-sinks.com. Growing up he gained an admiration for undermount kitchen sinks because of their ease of cleaning and attractiveness. His hobbies are running and reading. He is also a devoted husband to his beautiful wife Angelica.
Cedric Crumbley lives in Des Moines, IA and is the publisher of eminent-kitchen-sinks.com. Growing up he gained an admiration for undermount kitchen sinks because of their ease of cleaning and attractiveness. His hobbies are running and reading. He is also a devoted husband to his beautiful wife Angelica.
No comments:
Post a Comment