How to Upgrade on a Budget
1. Focus on first impressions
The feeling buyers get when walking through the front door of their potential forever home might be the number one thing that sticks with them about the house. When creating the initial impression, ask yourself these questions:
- What do I want buyers to experience?
- What tone do I want to set right away?
- What mood do I want people to be in when they enter my home?
But guess what? First impressions start before potential buyers even walk in the door. They begin outside your home, starting with the curb appeal, the exterior colour and texture, the state of the landscaping. Even your address makes an impression. Consider swapping out your house numbers for a more modern font, add a pop of color with low-maintenance seasonal flowers, or pick out a friendly welcome mat.
2. Paint cabinets and cupboards
It is no surprise that kitchens are often the most expensive room to renovate. Even smaller projects can add up quickly. One easy way to brighten up your cooking area is to paint the existing cabinets with Men@WorX. Opting to paint cabinets instead of replacing them all together will save you loads of time, money, and stress. This home hack isn’t exclusive to kitchens!
Similarly, one way to update a bathroom on a budget is to add fresh paint to bathroom vanities or shelving. Men@WorX recommend sticking to bright neutrals when painting to sell as it creates a blank slate for buyers to imagine their future. So as much as you may love lime green accent walls or terra cotta rooms, they won’t help you achieve the home sale you’re hoping for. Ditching the colour and embracing the neutrals will drive home value without undergoing extensive and unnecessary home updates.
3. Paint or replace exterior doors
First impressions start at the curb, remember? And there is something deeply charming about a home with an accent door. Although we walk through our front doors almost daily, when it comes to updating a home, they are often overlooked.
Paint is one of the cheaper updates you can make on the exterior of your home but it can go a long way towards increasing home value. A boldly colored front door exacts character from homes of all kinds, even newer builds. You can impart character with just a half-gallon investment, and it pays dividends. Painting or replacing exterior doors is a great way to guarantee a positive first impression from your prospective buyers. And psst, don’t forget about the garage!
4. Shed some light on great windows
Men@WorX recommends replacing your windows every 15-20 years, but new windows can be a hefty investment. There are more cost effective ways to ensure your windows don’t deter potential buyers. Remove any broken or yellowing blinds and opt instead for soft, neutral curtains. You can touch up paint on the trim if it is chipping and, of course, make sure your windows are crystal clear and clean. If you opt for upgrading your blinds, Men@WorX will gladly assist with a range of colours, and styles.
In addition, bigger windows offer an opportunity for more natural light to spill into your home, so if it’s already on your list to repair them – consider enlarging them too! More modern windows are a huge attraction and add instant value to a home. If you don’t have the wall space or the time, something as simple as painting the window casing to match the wall can make a huge difference. Removing window casing contrast makes the home appear more timeless and less dated. Sometimes it’s not just about what you add to a home, but what you subtract as well!
5. Power-wash siding and walkways
You never know the value of a power-washer until you’ve used one on your home. Simple things, like your walkway, would never be called a “focal point” of your yard. But after you power-wash it? It becomes the main attraction! The star! That’s because we can easily forget how dull things have actually gotten when we see them every day. It’s only when we give them a deep clean that we remember their fullest potential. (Yes, we are still talking about walkways.)
Replacing or painting siding can get pricey, fast. Brighten up your home – literally – by power-washing the exterior. Whether it’s brick, limestone, siding, or stucco - you will see an immediate transformation that will not let you down.
6. Refinish hardwood floors
Hardwood floors are loved for their longevity and durability, which often makes them look scuffed or dated from years of wear. Can you believe there were even decades in the not too distant past that people covered them up with tile, carpet, or vinyl? Yikes. These beauties are diamonds in the rough and with minimal investment you can maximize value on your home.
Instead of replacing it, refinishing your hardwood floors with Men@WorX will give your buyers the sophisticated look they’re looking for – while still retaining all your home’s original charm.
7. Install a kitchen backsplash
A modern backsplash is an effortless way to update a kitchen on a budget with Men@WorX! One of the most common trends is subway tile backsplash, which offers needed texture and color. There are dozens of types of tiles, from Moroccan-inspired pieces to surprising shapes, each offer a different flavor in your cooking, living or working space.
The best thing about tile is it’s not too hard to DIY, or call Men@WorX for a quotation! You can get the assistance with Men@WorX to add value to your home on a budget. And don’t forget about the grout! That’s an opportunity to play with contrast, color, and design that many homeowners overlook.
8. Upgrade light fixtures
Aside from wood paneling and popcorn ceilings, old light fixtures are a sure-fire way to date your house. You can swap out antiquated lighting with something more sleek on a budget.
Light fixtures are also a great way to showcase home trends in your area. If modern homes are selling for more, then consider a minimalistic look when selecting fixtures. You could also lean into industrial, farmhouse, traditional, or something completely unexpected.
9. Prioritize landscaping
Spending a day or two on landscaping can significantly increase your home’s value. If a couple days of your time and a minimal budget can yield a higher profit on your home sale, it’d be a no-brainer right?
So get your gardening gloves and get out there. Focus on trimming shrubs, mulching in flower beds and around trees, and showing the lawn a little love by reseeding or mowing. For bonus points hire a tree-trimmer (don’t DIY) and remove any branches or debris for maximum appeal.
10. Swap out hardware
Hardware is the jewelry of the home! Upgrading hardware in the kitchen and throughout the house is the most inexpensive update that is guaranteed to bring you an impressive return on investment. From everything to drawer pulls in your kitchen to the door knob in your bedroom, hardware is, generally speaking, on the cheap side for home updates with Men@WorX.
When selecting new hardware, keep an eye out for brushed metal finishes that are trending now, like chrome or muted brass.
11. Deep clean grout
You would be surprised at how quickly grime can build up in the nooks of your tile floors, even with routine cleaning. Putting in the elbow grease to scrub down grout can make your floors look brand new without the high price tag or headache of installing new flooring.
12. Address any deferred maintenance
No matter how many years you have been living in your home, there are bound to be minor repairs that you’ve been putting off. Now is the time to have that closet door fixed that has been sticking for years, the broken basement window, or the peeling paint in the pantry. While these issues all have relatively simple fixes, leaving them for the buyer to take care of could be what makes or breaks your sale.
Men@WorX is at your service for any Home Improvement Services from Roof repair, and new installations, kitchen and bedroom cupboards, interior and exterior painting including Nutec Houses, and Container Homes - We get it done!
Men@WorX - Call or WhatsApp 063 193 3939 Email : [email protected]
Visit us on www.men-at-worx.co.za
