September 12th, 2011
Contrary to popular belief, you don?t have to spend a fortune on renovations to ensure a faster sale at the best price. In fact, some of the most effective fix-ups are also the least expensive. So, get ahead of the game with these five frugal and fast fixes that will increase the value of your house without breaking the bank.
- Curb Your Enthusiasm ? Curb appeal is extremely important because it gets homebuyers excited to see inside. A nice yard can add 5 percent to 10 percent more to your property relative to similar homes in your neighborhood. Realtors even suggest adding something memorable like large flowerpots or an antique bench to help homebuyers remember your home. COST: Landscaping could cost you anywhere from a couple thousand dollars for professional landscaping to around $40-$50 for the neighbors? kid to mow your lawn every other week. ?For the do-it-yourself gardener, stop by Home Depot and pick up some nice planters for a under $300.
- Color their Memory ? Painting is one of the fastest and most inexpensive ways to freshen up the feel of a room and increase the value of your home. Real estate professionals suggest painting your walls a welcoming color such as a soft yellow, green or neutral.
COST: Paint costs anywhere from $12-$50 or more a gallon, depending on the quality, and most rooms require two gallons of paint for the walls alone. Do-it-yourself painters should also plan on budgeting $10-$50 for primer, brushes, rollers, drop clothes and other supplies. If you?re hiring a professional, plan on paying around $200-$400 to have a 12 x 12 foot room painted by a contractor with brand-name paints. - Crowning Glory ? Crown molding is easy to install and makes a room feel more formal and appointed. Make sure the molding is at least six to nine inches in depth, proportional and architecturally compatible with the room. COST: Professionally installed standard crown molding costs around $8-$12 a foot or about $300-$500 for the average 10 x 10 foot room. Installing molding is relatively easy, and those with the know-how and tools can save a great deal of money on labor costs.
- Fix Up Floors ? Homebuyers favor hardwood floors over carpet, but refinishing is costly and time-consuming. Consider screening your hardwood floors, which entails a light sanding and a fresh coat of finish. This process cuts dust, time, and expense while highlighting one of your home?s best assets.? If you do not have hardwood floors, make sure the carpets are presentable and professionally cleaned. If the carpeting is old, simply replace it with a decent quality carpet in a neutral color. COST: Floor screening costs about ninety cents to $1.50 per square foot, depending on how much sanding needs to be done and whether the floor needs one or two coats of finish. Again, if you are experienced, you can save money by renting the equipment needed and doing the job yourself. If replacing a carpet, leave this to the professionals and budget about $3-$4 per square foot for a quality carpet and a good pad.
- Clean & Lean ? The most important, fastest and, possibly most frugal home improvement is to keep your home as clean and lean as possible. This means cleaning every nook and cranny, throwing out or storing unnecessary or distracting items such as clutter, knickknacks or furniture, and organizing everything, especially within the kitchen, bathroom and closets. This allows the homebuyers to imagine how their own belongings will look in the space. COST: Most people choose to clean and organize their own homes and save money while doing so. However, professional help is available.? A one-time clean typically start at $100-$200 for an average sized home.
Source: http://blog.prufoxroach.com/2011/09/12/five-fast-and-frugal-fixes-to-increase-home-value/
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