Are
you planning on moving in the distant (or not-so-distant) future? Then these
upgrades could improve the value and attractiveness of your house.
Or,
let’s say you’re living in a starter home. You don’t plan on being there
forever, but you also aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. You’d like to make
some home improvements, but you’re worried you won’t get much return on your
investment when you’re ready to sell.
To
prevent that scenario, you can make some very effective cosmetic changes to,
say, your kitchen that will add enjoyment to your every-day living, and they
won’t drain your bank account.
The
projects we will show you are around $5000 or less might make your house so
nice you will never want to leave! But in case you want to sell, call Janet
Rabe-Meyer, Realtor, G.R.I. to get the job done!
1.
Swap
out your kitchen counter tops
Though granite has been considered the queen of counter tops, it is not as special as it was because every kitchen has it now. For a modern ‘wow’ factor, you could go with recycled glass (around $85 per square foot). Quartz is less expensive and has a clean, bright look, especially if you go with neutral colors like white, pale gray, or oyster shell. This will make it easy for potential buyers to envision their own style when viewing.
Upgrading
your back splash with something unique like subway tile arranged in a fun
pattern, will also add to the upgraded look of your kitchen.
2. Increase
your living space with decking
You
can use decking materials to create patios, outdoor living rooms, and outdoor
kitchens. This way you extend your home for a perfect space to entertain guests
or relax with your family. Especially in Florida, where the weather is good
most of the year, you can get a lot of use out of a well-crafted outdoor space.
Check out DeckingHero for fabulous resource guides and ideas.
3.
Add low-voltage outdoor lighting
Create
some outdoor magic with lights along your driveway, walkways, and patio, and
uplights on trees. This makes for incredible ambiance in the evening,
especially when entertaining. Additionally, lights make for fantastic
photographs when you get ready to sell. As an additional perk, you can install
timers on the lighting system, which will help in deterring burglars.
4.
Give your exterior a makeover
Have
your house exterior and front porch professionally power-washed, upgrade light
fixtures (this can be as simple as replacing the bulbs with Edison-style ones,
which instantly ups the cool quotient of your current fixture), swap out the
hardware on your front door, upgrade your mailbox, replace worn-out or broken
shutters, and freshen up your landscaping. These simple changes outside will
pack a punch without crushing your budget.
BigValue Garden Center
has a large selection of great pottery for your front and back yard. Experts
can help you with salt tolerant and drought resistant plants as well. Lindley’sNursery in New Smyrna Beach also has a great
selection of plants and pottery specifically suited for coastal Florida living.
Both nurseries can design and install your new landscape for you.
5.
Install a water feature or fire pit
A
water feature - a pond or fountain – adds immediate atmosphere to your outdoor
space. The gurgling water has been proven to be soothing for the nerves. That
will be lovely for you, your guests, and prospect buyers when you are ready to
sell.
A
raised or sunken fire pit made of stone or metal increases the quality feel of
your home. During the cooler evenings in the fall, sitting around the fire with
friends is one of the best things in the world.
You
can get a fountain and a fire pit very inexpensively, especially if you install
it yourself.
All
of these improvements will make you feel much more at home – or, they might
inspire you to think bigger and get a new home! When you are ready to sell, get
in touch with your realtor, Janet Rabe-Meyer, G.R.I!
