Whether you are about to put your home on the market or just feel it needs “something” to rekindle that old love, you don’t necessarily have to spend a huge amount of money to effect a big change. There are certain things that have an impact well beyond their dollar amount, and in a lot of cases can be done by a skilled DIYer!
To maximize return-on-investment for renovations and upgrades your priorities should be:
- Paint outside and inside. Use modern neutral colors that won’t lock people into your style.
- Upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms. If they are dated or tired realize that kitchens return between 79%-88% and bathrooms between 82%-96% of their cost. One of the best improvements you can make is to add a second bathroom to a one bedroom house if there is existing space under the roof. This should only be done if the new bathroom fits organically into the existing floorplan and doesn’t scream “this space used to be the other half of a bedroom”. It has to flow with the house.
- Improve light fixtures, faucets, shower heads, cabinet knobs and pulls, light-switch and outlet covers, a/c grills, door knobs and anything that looks too used.
- Curb appeal. Don’t go overboard on expensive landscaping but make sure the first impression is great. Some inexpensive seasonal plants from the garden store will work wonders.
- Fix what is obviously broken. Fix screens, leaky faucets, leaky ductwork, fences, mailboxes, non-functioning blinds and shades, window locks and door knobs. Some of these may not be broken, but look at everything with an impersonal eye . Polish, tighten, glue, nail down, shore up, and do anything else that will make your home look fresh and well-kept.
Not on the list above because they aren’t an upgrade or renovation but they have maximum impact is to clean like the Queen of England is on her way over and declutter, declutter, declutter. You will wish you’d already done this when you pack for the move and they are 100% free!
Before doing any work, design carefully and plan the execution in detail. Use good materials. Don’t expect to get you money back on highly-customized work. Most of all, don’t eliminate options for the next owners when you upgrade.
And do keep in mind that if an upgrade will improve your standard of living and enjoyment it might be worth doing even if you don’t get it back!
I have a record of helping my clients make huge changes to their homes with very little money. I’d be happy to consult with you, too. Give me a call at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.
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