With less and less cash flow coming in, we find ourselves letting go of the things that may seem somewhat extravagant. You may want to update your kitchen, your bathroom, and even the curb appeal, all in the name of adding value to your home, but just can’t justify the costs right now.
More and more people that were planning on putting their homes on the market are now investing in improving their homes to add value for better times to come.
The most common phrase we hear from real estate agents is that kitchens and baths sell houses. Indeed it is the truth but renovation can cost upwards of $30,000 dollars or more for each. I have a few tips that will help you add value to your home, specifically for the kitchen and bath, and actually bring a smile to your face when you are done.
Update the Outdated
If you have wooden kitchen cabinets that look tired and worn out, give them a fresh coat of paint. This takes a bit of elbow grease to do, but is a major money saver and will have a significant return on your investment. Start off by removing the cabinet doors. Lightly sand, and then prime the cabinets and frames. Once dry, apply a coat of paint in a semi-gloss finish. Black, navy, charcoal, and white are true classics in color. Hang the doors up and for under $200 bucks, you have just given your cabinets a $30,000 makeover! Take it a step further by adding new hardware to the cabinets. A good tip is to make sure that the new hardware has the same spread as the old ones. This makes installation a cinch.
Backsplashes draw a lot of attention to a kitchen and allows the opportunity to add a little flavor to the heart of the home. Consider a DIY project of tiling your backsplash – many home centers have workshops that will show you how. If tile isn’t your look, hang a modern print vinyl wallpaper that is easy to clean and makes a bold statement in your kitchen, and for the final touch, use butcher block countertops. They are affordable, easy to cut, easy to install and look fabulous! With all things in place, your new kitchen will cost you around $1500. Now that is bang for your buck.
For bathroom spaces, try changing out the fixtures for a fresh new look. Simply replace the old faucet and light fixture for a new one and see the sparkling change immediately. Apply a fresh coat of paint in an eggshell finish and hang a new shower curtain. These simple quick fixes can do wonders for a small space!
Luring Landscape
Now that the kitchen and bath have been updated, we need to make sure that a potential buyer will want to set foot inside the house. Think of your home as a product in a supermarket. The colorful cereal boxes are appropriately placed right where the demographic market will see them. That’s right, the kids! You need to have the same visual appeal to your demographic market when sprucing up your home for sale. Who wants to enter a house when it is unruly on the outside? Give your house a bath! If you do not own a power washer, rent one. The changing seasons and pollution can put your home through the ringer.
First impressions pay. Focus on your curb appeal by giving the front door a new coat of paint. Try changing out the doorknob and adding a new welcome mat. And the ultimate spruce- up for your landscape is to water the lawn, add fresh sod in areas where grass does not grow, and liven it up with fresh flowers and mulch.
A lush lawn, shiny entry, updated kitchen, and beautiful bath are sure to keep you and your wallet happy.
Ceramic Tile Accent Statements Add Value
An Accent Statement from the Artistic Collection of our Ceramic Tile can provide an easy and affordable boost to the value of your kitchen.
A Ceramic Accent Strip is particularly helpful when used to enliven an otherwise drab backsplash or countertop.
You don't have to break the bank to spruce up your kitchen. All it takes is finding a subtle way to highlight the best features- and Mohawk Ceramic Tile is an excellent way to do so.