Let’s get down to business! The new year has arrived, we’re all re-evaluating our goals and mission for the year, and for some of us, that includes reorganizing our finances and investments.
Oh, but I don’t ‘invest’ you say? We say—you have a house, right? That is probably one of the most significant investments that ordinary people will ever make, and unlike the stock market—one of the safest.
Property ownership is still the preferred vehicle for wealth preservation and transfer in the west and increasingly around the world too. So, when you’re thinking about upgrading your home specifically to increase its value, there are three areas that you want to give some special attention to.
KITCHENS
We start with countertops. Damaged or scratched surfaces are not just uneasy to look at, they’re also harder to keep clean. Upgrading your worksurfaces and countertops will give your kitchen a fresh appeal and automatically make the space look more hygienic as well—it also shows that as a homeowner you take that sort of thing very seriously. Stone and Granite counters or other surfaces made from natural materials are the way to go, they look great and even though you may need to shell out a few more dollars than you might have planned on doing, you’ll get it back in spades.
Cabinets are your next step, and while you don’t necessarily need to replace them (unless you do), a solid refurbishment could do the trick. Creaky doors, rusted hinges, and peeling paint—are all relatively easily fixed, and have a pretty decent effect. If you do need a full upgrade, check out affordable kitchen cabinets.
Appliances are the last word in kitchen upgrades, but possibly some of the most important—if you can afford them. Everyone would like to have the latest SMEG or Bosch, but realistic—if you don’t live in that kind of house—don’t try and make your kitchen something it’s not. Just make sure that all of your gas connections are tight and work safely, your implements are rust and oil-free, and replace the tops and grills.
Could not be easier. Add some solar lighting along walkways, get that lawn up to date – even if it means delaying listing for a few weeks (repeat—get that lawn up to date!). Make sure that any outbuildings are painted, sanded, and varnished, that your garden furniture—doesn’t have to be the newest, but has decent cushions that make them look good. It doesn’t hurt to leave a few toys lying around if you have kids, a few mind you—not the lot.
BATHROOMS
Lastly, bathrooms have moved from just being places you clean your body, to sanctuaries where you heal your soul, and you don’t have to have a million-dollar budget to do it. Fresh towels, clean grouting, LED lighting in your shower, scented candles, hanging plants, and organized shelves will work wonders on basic spaces—so much so, that you might just end up falling in love with your own home all over again.
As you’re staging your home for sale, the bathroom is the one room that can either enhance or hurt your home’s value. In case your restroom needs a professional, search a plumber near me to get rid off any issues that may lower the overall quality of your home.
Here are a few other ways to upgrade your bathroom:
1) Clean the bathroom.
Yes, this may seem obvious, but cleaning your bathroom is one of the easiest ways to instantly update it. Wipe down tiles, scrub toilets, and mop the floor. Scrub away mildew from grout, and deep clean your fixtures. You don’t have to spend hours scrubbing – just give the room a good overall cleaning.
2) Add new fixtures.
If your bathroom fixtures are outdated, cracked, or show signs of wear and tear, replace them. That includes the tub or shower, toilets, sinks, and cabinets. Look for fixtures that are modern, clean, and fit the style of your home.
3) Add paint. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way in this home improvement project. Choose a neutral color that matches the rest of your home. Be careful, though: Avoid painting the bathroom a brighter color like yellow, which can make a small space feel even smaller.
Mia Guerra
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