Be a Warrior, Baths and Kitchen Home Improvements That Sell!

Weekend Warriors Unite for Home Improvements!

So it is pretty common knowledge that when looking at home improvements that will get your home sold quicker, it is kitchens and bathrooms. Still, even small home renovations can be pricey if you are not careful. So the best option is to figure out what is easy to do, cost effective and can be done in a timely manner. Still stumped? Well check out these tips for the kitchen and bath “weekend warrior” home improvements that sell without costing you an appendage.

Freedom! You Can Do This!

Okay so kitchen and bathroom renovations can be pricey at best when having a professional do all the work. But there are some options to consider for even the most green of homeowner weekend warriors.

A Fresh Coat of Paint – Painting is one of the easiest DYI (Do It Yourself) projects. Invite a few friends over and make it a party. Just keep the colors subtle, use neutral tones.

Accessorize Well – Clean up the place and add some new linens. Check out Pinterest for some neat home décor tips. Sometimes unique, affordable accessories can be found for cheap at yard sales and Goodwill stores. Explore the vintage-retro revolution and play up the nostalgia of your older home. Last, do not forget the perks of Home Staging, it works trust me.

Change Out the Olive Green Stove – Oh yes those of us around in the 1970s remember fondly rocking the mushroom yellow, avocado green and dirt brown appliances; now, not so much. Out-dated appliances are definitely a turn-off for potential home buyers. Yes, appliances can be costly, but check out scratch and dent sales for closeouts; ask about store floor models at the local home improvement store. In the end having a lower-end stove that is black is more acceptable than any 1970s colored offerings. *Remember too another option is to offer a stipend for the purchase of a new appliance off the sale price.

Get Creative with Some Showstoppers – Turn a new eye on your space and look for ways to create a showstopper effect. Shop the clearance-discount aisles at Home Depot and Lowes for great deals on everything from markdown laminate flooring (which can be put down by yourself if you are in warrior mode and have the knowledge) to great stand-alone sink cabinets and basins. Add some creative tiling and you have a masterpiece.

If you have a small kitchen, you may find a great deal on remnant granite counter top pieces. No budget for granite, try painting your old laminate counter top with a granite effect counter top coating paint. Try some not-wallet busting ideas like upgraded shower heads, installing a new shower stall enclosure or fancier faucets. Did you know that you can get floor heaters for around $600? These are great selling features and pricing is workable.

Split the Work with Your Contractor – Need more of a professional for some parts of a renovation? See if your contractor will split the job. Hire a contractor for the expert needs like electrical, plumbing or drywall work but contract it to stop there. Then you take on the accessorizing, design work. Hang lighting fixtures yourself and check into easy installation options like re-facing cabinets. Ikea offers a lot of options for kitchen cabinetry and counter top renovations at affordable prices, if you have a “Braveheart”.

In the end remember that while kitchens and baths sell, no home buyer is going to look past bigger, more urgent home improvement needs. Make sure that your home’s HVAC is working properly and has been maintained. Roofs, siding and wooden stairs that are in ill-repair will not be overlooked. Some home buyers have the weekend warrior gene themselves, so they may be willing to overlook some outdated areas if the main necessities are in good shape and the price is right.

After you have your house in good, operating condition structurally, bath and kitchen improvements can definitely put your home at the top of the housing market and garner more traffic. So grab your home renovator warrior flag and forge ahead. You have nothing to lose but gold-flecked Formica and olive green stoves.

If you need advice on what home improvements will make your unique home standout on the home sellers market, contact me, Pam Santoro. I am a realtor who is always watching the housing trends and has experience with attracting home buyers. Please visit my site at http://www.pamsantoro. com/ or contact me at 678-656-6627. As an experienced member of both the National and Georgia Board of Realtors, I can answer any questions you have about local market conditions, financing or selling your home for the best market value.

Remember, no one sells a home like a Mom!