Here are a few cheap and easy upgrades for a fixer upper.
Change the lighting fixtures. That old-fashioned gold chandelier is out of date. What seems to be very popular than these days is lighting fixtures that are oil rubbed bronze. If you’re changing fixtures, change them all to a similar color and pattern.
There is nothing like the smell of new paint to a buyer. Don’t forget to use colors, White or off white are dreary and lackluster. More about painting. So many people forget to repaint the ceilings. They are usually white but most people don’t realize that’s ceilings can get dirty and faded. Put a fresh coat of paint on the ceiling. Remember paint is cheap and easy.
Look at your plumbing fixtures. Just like the lighting, your plumbing fixtures can also make the home seem outdated. If you change the lighting fixtures to oil rubbed bronze, use the same for the fixtures in the kitchen and baths.
What will you do with the kitchen cabinets? If you can afford new cabinets, go for it. If that’s not in the budget, and here’s two ideas. You can paint them, just be careful and do a good job. There is special paint that is self leveling that will not show the brush strokes. Another idea is refacing. With refacing they cover the bodies with formica and install new doors and drawer fronts that match the formica. If you’re handy, kits are available to do it yourself.
Get rid of the old carpet. Today’s buyers want hardwood. If there’s hardwood floors under the carpets get them refinished. If not install hardwoods if the budget allows. If not, try laminate floors.
You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Make it a good one. Clean out the landscaping around the house, get some flowers in there to get some color. If the house needs paint, paint it. And don’t forget to replace the ugly old mailbox if needed. Look at the exterior of the house. If there’s aluminum siding, it’s probably dented and faded. A nice vinyl siding is always a good alternative. Considering using brick or stone in the front. Another nice look is the final version of cedar shakes.
Old windows are ugly and energy inefficient. New windows will pay for themselves over the long run.
Check the heating and cooling system. If you fix the house up entirely, but don’t touch the old heating heating and system, you will be scaring your buyers away. They will thank that they’ll soon have to dig deep into their pockets to replace it. If the systems are are still good, change the air filters. This will give prospective buyers the impression that the house has been well cared for