Are You Thinking About Selling or Updating Your Home? There Are Affordable Upgrade Options
Upgrades that cost under $500 can have a dramatic impact on both the style and function of your home. Here are a few ideas:.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Appliances are an often-overlooked home improvement project that can increase property values. New appliances can enhance curb appeal and give kitchens a fresh new look; choose energy-efficient models which will also benefit the environment while saving on utility costs.
If your appliances are outdated, they could pose a safety hazard or have features that conflict with current regulations. Furthermore, old models can be costly to repair or require frequent replacement parts – upgrading would save both you and future buyers money in the long run and is well worth considering as an investment in both your own future as well as theirs.
Before investing in costly upgrades, understand which features potential buyers will appreciate. For instance, many prefer gas or electric ranges; therefore it is wise to weigh your options when selecting your model. Furthermore, make sure not to overspend on unnecessary features that won’t get used.
If you plan to sell your home soon, it is essential that you focus on affordable upgrades that will add the most value. When doing this, compare your home against similar properties in the area; under conditions of seller demand you may even get away without upgrading appliances!
An updated deck can be a fantastic selling point. To maintain its appearance and keep it looking newer for less, power washing and applying fresh stain are two cost-effective strategies to keeping it looking its best. Professional services may charge several hundred dollars while DIY options provide even greater affordability for home improvements. Adding stairs runners will add color and interest to the space while premade runners can be purchased from many carpet stores or you can make one yourself for even less than professional installation would cost.
Power Wash Your Deck
An attractive deck can add substantial aesthetic value and increase overall property values while providing a space where family and friends can gather. But an unmaintained deck covered in dirt, mold, mildew or other debris poses serious safety hazards to both you and your guests; slippery deck surfaces pose risks of falls for seniors and young children, leading to accidents on slippery decks and injuries as a result of slipperiness. Having your deck regularly power washed by professional cleaners will remove potential slip hazards while prolonging its life as outdoor wood surfaces.
If your deck’s desert tan or chestnut brown hue has faded to gray, consider having it re-stained. A fresh coat of stain could extend its lifespan without incurring replacement costs that could surpass $14,000. Before applying the new coat of stain however, make sure it is cleaned first; old and weathered stain attracts dirt and moisture that can lead to premature wood damage including warping, cupping and cracking if left on too long. A thorough power wash using professional wood care solutions is vital in order to remove stubborn stains as well as age related damage from its surface – be sure hire a service who specialises in power washing wood care as power washes are an invaluable way of revitalizing old wood surfaces!
Professional power washers often offer soft washing services, using low-pressure nozzles and biodegradable chemical solutions to safely cleanse surfaces without harming plant life or wood structures beneath. This method is especially helpful in cases where there’s risk of deterioration to decks that could otherwise splinter or rot over time.
If you prefer DIY power washing, begin by testing the water pressure in an inconspicuous area of your deck; some models of power washer nozzles may cause scoring or damaging to wood. Connect a hose to your power washer, and spray evenly in circular motions without making zig-zag movements that could score wood or cause discoloration of your deck surface.
Once your deck has been thoroughly cleaned and dried for at least 48 hours, allow it to fully dry for at least another two before walking on it. After that, test its strength by pressing on several boards – if they feel hollow or spongy they need additional time for complete drying before being used again.
Install a Stair Runner
Stair runners bring warmth and polish to a staircase while providing safety benefits. If your staircase contains potential tripping hazards like loose weave carpet, high pile carpeting, paint chips or loose pieces of debris such as loose weave carpet, high pile carpeting or paint chips then installing runners will protect your feet from becoming less slippery while covering up scratches or discolorations in the wood surface.
Installing a stair runner may seem complicated, but it’s actually an achievable DIY project even beginner DIYers can tackle with the proper tools. First, clean your staircase using Simple Green or another degreaser to remove dirt and residue before cutting a strip of double-sided carpet tape slightly shorter than your desired width of the runner and placing it under each bottom riser to secure it to wood and prevent its movement down the steps when installed. This will prevent it from moving downhill when in position.
Now, select the style of runner you prefer. There are two primary installation styles for runners: waterfall and Hollywood. In both instances, the waterfall method involves placing the runner directly over each step for a casual aesthetic, while Hollywood installs wrap the carpet over the nose of each stair for a tailored finish. While waterfall works better with patterns than Hollywood installation would – both are great ways to add dimension.
Assemble the width of your stairs by measuring the width. To do this, divide each stair width in half to determine how wide a runner should be on each step and mark this point using a pencil on every stair, leaving about 4 inches between steps for ventilation purposes.
Once your runner is stapled down, install your new stair rods. These slim metallic tubes should be placed at either end of your runner to help it remain in its place without nails or staples being needed to hold it down. Basement staircases may require these particular rods.
Paint Your Interior
A fresh coat of paint can transform any room. As one of the more economical home improvement projects available to you, painting your house with fresh coats of color will quickly make any room feel brand new – and increase its resale value without spending thousands on extensive renovations. Potential buyers will see that your property was well cared for while knowing they are getting an exceptional deal when purchasing it.
When selling a home, prioritizing projects that will provide maximum returns should be top of mind. Painting the interior can be an inexpensive yet time consuming and frustrating way to increase its resale value; however, with work, family activities, and other responsibilities consuming time from your schedule you may lack enough energy or commitment for such a task.
Hiring a professional Pittsburgh interior painter can be a quick and convenient solution that saves both time and money. Before beginning, however, it’s essential that the area in which you plan to paint be properly prepared by washing walls, patching holes, spackleing any spots needed with spackle, and sanding any surfaces as you prepare the area to paint. Also important: remove light/outlet face plates before beginning and store screws in a zip-top bag so as to save yourself the trouble later when it comes time reassembling them later on reattaching them – saving both time and headache!
Low-VOC paint should also be considered in order to limit the release of harmful chemicals into your home environment, and is becoming more widely adopted among homeowners and homebuyers.
Addition of storage space in the entryway can significantly enhance its functionality and resale value, whether that means including benches or storage units that hold shoes, bags, and other items – making your entryway more welcoming for prospective buyers and keeping clutter under control.
Many homes lack an effective entryway, which can create clutter and frustration. An inexpensive solution to this issue is adding coat racks, wall hooks, shoe benches or other storage solutions to the entryway – these solutions will help keep items secure in one location while discouraging potential buyers from losing or having them stolen from within the space.