Whether you’re sprucing up your home to sell in the competitive summer real estate market, investing your tax return in some overdue repairs, or just giving your space a fresh new look, keeping costs reasonable may feel like an impossible feat. Luckily, you can still make a big impact by investing in a few simple upgrades that’ll keep your bank account at a comfortable level. Read on for nine inexpensive ways to boost the value of your home.
Curb Appeal
Impressions begin with the first look, so it’s important that your home looks fresh and well kept from the outside. Keep the lawn tidy and make sure all trees and shrubs are trimmed. If the exterior of your home is looking a little grimy, an afternoon with a pressure washer can really make it shine. If the paint itself is a little tired, a fresh coat can truly brighten up the whole block.
Charming Entry
Once guests or prospective buyers have decided they’re impressed with the exterior of your home, it’s time to ensure they feel the same about the inside. Make sure your front door has a nice set of hardware and a good coat of paint or stain. Take some time to give the entry a deep clean so the space looks fresh and inviting.
Break Out the Paint
When you’re in need of a quick change, a fresh coat of paint can certainly get the job done. Whether it’s an all-over color or just an accent wall, painting can totally transform a room.
Hit the Lights
Poor lighting can make your space look tired and unwelcoming. Simply opening the blinds can brighten up your home, but updating old fixtures and dim bulbs can make a lasting difference. New lighting isn’t costly, and a brighter bulb can bring definition to a room that’s lacking.
Keeping Up with the Kitchen
Often, the room in need of the most updating is the kitchen. Total transformations can cost thousands, but a few smaller updates can still have a big impact at a fraction of the cost. Painting older cabinets a modern color and installing new fixtures are just two easy ways to update on a dime. Adding a backsplash and coordinating your appliance colors can totally tie the whole room together.
A Better Bathroom
In addition to the kitchen, bathrooms are typically quite easy to update on a small budget. A few new fixtures can totally transform a dated restroom – even just a new towel rack and mirror can give a tired room new life. For an even greater “wow” factor, upgrade the sink to a more modern style and give old tile a makeover. Make your existing shower feel like a luxury spa with a rain-style showerhead – there are many affordable models that are easy to install on your own.
Cut the Clutter
Don’t have the cash to do lots of updating? Take a look around your home and think about what items you could do without. A cluttered home can make you, your guests and prospective buyers feel overwhelmed. Get rid of unused, unwanted items for an easy (and free!) way to clean up your humble abode.
Fix it Up
Leaky faucet? Burnt out bulb? Small fixes are easy to put off, but taking a day to knock them out will be a major relief. Make a list of DIY updates and finally check off those honey-do’s.
Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient upgrades aren’t just trendy – they can do wonders for your utility bills and make a home that much more appealing to buyers. For a quick, inexpensive update, start by swapping incandescent light bulbs for LED or CFL bulbs. Plug up any heating and cooling leaks around windows, doors or other drafty areas. If you’ve got extra cash in your budget, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can offer a lifetime of savings on bills.
Emerge Financial Wellness 