We help people stage their homes before they sell, but sometimes they need more than just staging…..sometimes they need to update a few areas that might be dated or in need of repair.
My advice is to invest the smallest amount of money possible and still make the house look fresh. So today, I'm going to share a few of the things that we help people do for a reasonable cost.
Paint
- I've talked about it so much, but there's nothing like a couple coats of paint. It's so cheap and easy to do. Neutral works best, but I've been known to use a few trendy color here and there. Just make sure to discuss color with your Realtor or Stager, as some colors don't photograph well.
Floors
- If you need new carpet, there are some great deals out there. Most 20 somethings like a frieze style which is a little less formal, wears well and hides footprints.
To cover a kitchen floor, I absolutely love floating vinyl floors. This product comes in 12 foot widths, so if your floor is less than that, it's great to use. You litterally set the vinyl over your floor and attach it with quarterround on the edges. This product can be used in bathrooms too.
If your floor is more than 12 feet wide, I recommend installing a floating laminate floor. Again, it can go right over your existing floor and simply locks together. For a small entryway, I usually install ceramic tile. You can often find small amounts of nice tile on sale at most of the home centers. You do need to read up on the installation of all of these products as there are some complexities that need to be considered.
Countertops
- You can replace your countertop with new laminate that looks like granite.
These tops have come a long way and really improve the look of the kitchen. If you do want to invest a little more and use granite, there are thin granite tops that go right over the existing countertop.
Bathtubs
- If you can't clean the tub enough to make it look new, you can always replace it. But that can be an expensive undertaking. There are acrylic products that can be place over the entire area. An average price for that type of remodel is about $4,000, which is a significant investment. Sometimes that has to be done, but if the walls look good and it's just a tub issue, I recommend a tub refinish. You can typically have that done for about$450 and they look great.
So that's a few tips for today. There is usually so much to do to get a home ready to sell, but done correctly, you will sell your home much faster by investing reasonably up front.
