Many realize the importance of improving their home’s value, sometimes even to a fault. Although upgrading is a good investment, there are more basic and more important things to prioritize. Ask a realtor about them. After all, home is a place where a person can feel relaxed and comfortable.
There are many ways to go about improving a home as a living space while improving its value, too. These changes are in the lower price range, but they make a big difference in the home. Here are seven ways to hit two birds with one stone.
Paint Away
Getting a fresh coat of paint is often underestimated. Painting is one of the easiest yet cost-effective ways to transform a place. It can easily brighten a room and make it look updated. Keep a strategic eye when choosing a color scheme.
Although bold and bright colors are great for shock value and personality, consider going for a more versatile and flexible route. The safest bet is neutral colors. They’re in with the times, easy to look match with furniture, and appealing to the majority.
Buff Your Wooden Floors Regularly
Wooden floors are lovely to have but only as long as they’re well-maintained and looking fresh. Buffing wooden floors are essential for this. Buffing targets the damage and imperfections acquired from years of wear and tear. The protective layers of the hardwood floors tend to look scratched and worn out over the course of time. To put some luster and youth back in them, buff away!
Unlike sanding, buffing is concentrated on the problematic areas of the wooden floor where scratches and damage are obvious. Although this can be done by hand, it’s a tiresome job. There’s always the option to rent an electric buffing machine to make the job easier.
Low-maintenance Landscaping for the Front Yard
A well-kept yard leaves a good impression, but having a beautiful landscape takes it a step further. Having a colorful display of plants and shrubs on the front yard increases curb appeal. Although this is one of the oldest tricks in the book, it works every time.
Since this is an investment, you have to be smart about it. Choose plants that are native to your region, require less water, are drought-resistant, and are overall easy to maintain. While still planning for the layout of the landscaping, take note of the growth.
For example, avoid planting trees and installing topiaries too close to the exterior of the house, as this can create major (and costly) problems as these plants grow.
Install Water Infiltration System
Something as simple as a water filter can be a game-changer. Having one at home means having to spend less on grocery trips for bottled water. It’s a simple and inexpensive addition, but it’s convenient, cost-effective, and essential. It’s a lot more eco-friendly, considering the number of bottles you’re not taking home from grocery store shelves.
Deep Clean Grout Lines
One of the factors that bear weight in many home buyers’ decisions is the kitchen and bathroom, specifically, the size and overall condition. One of the things kitchens and bathrooms have in common is tiles. With that said, the hard-to-reach gaps between tiles are something to watch out for.
The tendency of grout lines is that they darken over time. Most of the time, the discoloration is noticeable in the bathroom. Water and soap flow into the grout lines, carrying the dirt, suds, and more. This accumulates over time, making the grout lines appear darker and darker.
Other factors, such as grime, oils, and even mold, can all add to the darkening. There are multiple ways to get rid of dirt in the grout.
Take Care of the Little Things
From functioning light switches to intact cabinet door handles, having these details covered is an important step. A buyer doesn’t notice these little things until they’re not there. Buyers are hyper-critical about what they see in a house. Unsightly things send a negative message their way: This house might not be as well-managed as it looks. A house that’s cared for will always be attractive. Be sure to cover these basics to prevent raised eyebrows.
Save the big renovations for later. Get to them once the basics are covered. You might realize that some planned upgrades weren’t needed after all.
