by One of the first steps to selling your home is making sure that it is in show-ready condition prior to hitting the market. It’s a lot of work, takes money and time, and you want to do everything you can to get it right. You have probably carefully planned the renovations on your house and are disappointed that you may not finish everything before listing it for sale. It can be difficult within a limited budget when trying to sell a home that needs major repairs, but there are ways that you can still spruce up your house.
Declutter and Remove Extra Furniture
Many people buy more furniture than they need. They end up filling their closets and hallways with pieces of furniture even though they will never use them. Too much furniture in a house makes it look smaller than it is. A cluttered home can feel cramped, uncomfortable and even unsafe at times. Storing surplus furniture will cost you money and time. You may want to ask family members if they would like any items for their homes. If not, donate the extra furniture to local charities. Removing excess furniture from each room will add volume to your home and more storage in your closets, cabinets, and pantry.
Clean Up
A great way to give your home a fresh look before putting it up for sale is to clean the inside and outside thoroughly. Buyers are far less likely to offer a house if it is dirty, smelly or cluttered. The first thing potential buyers notice when they walk up to your home is the windows and entryway doors if they’re well maintained. Your landscaping comes into play here, too. If you can’t afford to hire professional help, your family members can assist you and even pitching in to help can turn into valuable family time. A thorough cleaning is well worth the time and effort when listing your house for sale.
Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrade
An updated kitchen with stylish cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting and appliances can make all the difference in the world to the value of your home. You don’t have to gut your kitchen to make it attractive. Resurface or paint your cabinets for an inexpensive facelift. You’ll be amazed at how different your kitchen will look! A less expensive option is to refinish them. With some time and elbow grease, you can erase years of use and damage from your cabinets by lightly sanding them down and refinishing them with a new coat of paint or stain.
Consider replacing outdated appliances with new ones that boast energy-saving features while providing a new look. You may even qualify for tax credits or rebates by purchasing energy-efficient appliances, which will offset some of the cost while saving you money on utility bills over time.
DIY Paint the Interiors
A fresh coat of paint can give any room in your house a new look and feel, but the cost of hiring a professional painter is often not worth it. Hiring a professional to do the job can be expensive, so try painting the rooms yourself if you have some extra time on your hands. It’s not as hard as you think!
Before beginning, always use drop cloths and painter’s tape to protect your surfaces. You’ll also want to make sure that the room is well-ventilated, as paint fumes can be harmful to inhale. When you’re ready to start painting, begin by repairing any holes or cracks in the walls. Then use sandpaper to smooth out the walls’ surfaces. Once the walls are prepped, apply a coat of primer and then several coats of paint until your desired coverage is achieved.
Freshen the Bathrooms
One of the most considerable costs in a bathroom renovation is the cost of materials. You can save a lot of money on this if you know what to look for when purchasing materials. If you’re buying a complete renovation package from a contractor, you may be able to get materials for free or at least drastically discounted prices. You’ll also want to check with local building supply companies and ask them if they offer discounts for bathroom renovations. Just remember that most contractors charge a markup on materials because they have to pay them extra for providing their services in your home.
The Bottom Line
Preparing your home for sale on a budget doesn’t mean cutting corners. If anything, it means doing things with more efficiency, which cuts costs and increases the home’s return on investment. Getting the most for your money has never been easier with the above tips.
