10 small renovations that increase the value of the property
A major renovation isn't always necessary to increase a property's value: fresh paint, good lighting, neat details and deep cleaning can make a big difference in how a home is viewed by a buyer or tenant. Below we have collected 10 small renovations that can be done at low cost and help the house look better.
Walls and light: the basis of the first impression
1. Paint the walls fresh. Stained, yellowed or too brightly colored walls make the house look old and small. Light and neutral tones, such as white, cream or light gray, make rooms appear larger and brighter. Such colors also allow people to imagine themselves in this house during viewing. Do not forget to fill small cracks and nail places with plaster before painting.
2. Update the lighting. Replace burnt out light bulbs and use light bulbs of the same color tone in all rooms. Adding an additional light source to a dark hallway or kitchen instantly makes the home look more comfortable. Replacing worn or broken chandeliers with simple, modern models is usually not a big expense.
Kitchen and small details
3. Replace door handles. Worn, loose, or mismatched handles on bedroom doors and cabinets detract from the overall look of the home. New handles, selected in the same style, are installed in a short time and show that the house has been taken care of. While doing this, also check the door jambs: a door that squeaks or doesn't close properly is an unpleasant sight to behold, while adjusting it is a matter of minutes.
4. Refresh the kitchen facades. Completely changing the kitchen can be expensive, but painting the fronts of the cabinets, covering them with a special coating or just replacing the damaged ones gives the kitchen a new look. Check that the lids close properly, and adjust any bent or squeaky parts. The kitchen is one of the areas that buyers look at the most.
Bathroom and flooring
5. Update the silicone and fixtures. Darkened silicone around the tub and sink is the most visible sign of neglect. It is a simple task to remove the old silicone and apply a new one. Changing out dripping faucets, a scaled shower head, and loose fixtures can also instantly make a bathroom look fresh.
6. Eliminate defects on the floor. Lifted laminate, creaking parquet, broken tiles or torn plinths definitely attract attention during inspection. It is not necessary to change the entire floor: it is often enough to restore the damaged parts, polish the parquet or fix the plinths in place.
Entrance and yard: when approaching the house
7. Pay attention to the front door. The first time the buyer gets to know the house is the entrance. A clean and painted door, easy opening of the lock, working doorbell and good lighting of the entrance make a positive first impression. In apartments, clean the wall around the door and the floor.
8. Tidy up the yard. In courtyard houses, the yard is considered as an extension of the house. Clear dry grass, cut tree branches, remove old objects and construction debris, sweep paths and stairs. In the dry and hot summer of Nakhchivan, timely watering of the greenery in the yard also helps the yard to look well-maintained.
Final touches: windows and cleaning
9. Adjust the windows. Windows that are hard to open, won't close, or let in drafts raise questions about heat loss in the buyer. Fixing plastic windows and replacing worn-out rubber seals is usually inexpensive, and helps keep the house warm during the winter months.
10. Do a deep clean. This is the cheapest but most effective step. The house looks brighter and more well-maintained when window panes, kitchen surfaces, bathroom tiles, radiators and light switches are cleaned. Clearing away excess items makes rooms look more spacious. If there is an unpleasant smell in the house, ventilate the rooms well and do not forget to clean the curtains and carpets.
- Start with the most noticeable defects first.
- Make a small to-do list for each room and record the work you have done.
- Entrust the electrical and plumbing work to a handyman for safety.
- After all the work is done, take a photo of the house again.
Which work start?
It is not mandatory to complete the entire list at once. First, take a tour of the house through the eyes of a visitor: starting with the entrance, note the first flaw that catches your eye in each room. Then divide these defects into two groups: issues that the buyer will notice right away (stained wall, blackened silicone, bulb that won't light) and issues that are revealed only upon careful inspection. The works in the first group should always be done in the first place, because the impression made in the first minutes of the inspection also affects the subsequent negotiations.
When planning the budget, getting several quotes from masters for each job and preparing materials in advance saves time and money. The goal is not to completely renovate the house, but to make it look clean, tidy and ready for living.
It is also important to present the house with good photos after the renovation. We talked about this in detail in our article house photo shoot for sale.
Frequently asked questions
Does it need to be overhauled before selling?
Not often. Small repairs and a deep clean make a home look better, and many buyers want to make decisions about major renovations based on their own taste.
What color is the best choice for walls?
Light and neutral tones are the safest choice. They make rooms look more spacious and suit different tastes.
Can I do it myself?
You can often do things like painting, cleaning and replacing handles yourself. For safety reasons, it is better to entrust electrical and plumbing work to a master.
If you are planning to sell or rent your home, Evim Imlak experts can determine with you which work will be most beneficial. contact us for advice.
