Home Updates That Pay for Themselves

When you’re thinking of selling your home, there are two areas that you need to be sure are as updated as possible. They are the kitchen and the bathroom(s). These two home updates will return any money you have laid out for them when you sell your home.

Home Updates on a Budget

With the world economy the way it has been, home updates of any kind are usually the last thing you tend to add to your budget. Keeping a roof over your head takes precedence. When you do think of making repairs or improvements, you want assurance that wherever you spend your money, you will profit from that expense when you sell your home. Here is a list of ways to make home updates that will be eye-catching and bring big returns with minimal out-of-pocket expense.

Home Updates in the Kitchen

A complete kitchen remodeling can cost up to $25,000, but if you focus on individual areas that might need updating you will be amazed at what a difference it will make and how much lower the price tag will be. Consider these areas:

• Cabinets: Rather than replacing existing cabinets consider instead refacing or even painting them. You can achieve a completely new updated look for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
• Sinks: Replacing a worn, outdated sink with a more modern shape and size can do wonders. You might want to consider material options like concrete, copper or stone. Think creative.
• Appliances: Models that are energy efficient and modern will go over big. Both your energy bills and the new homeowner’s will benefit.
• Lighting: Replacing or updating lighting will not only add additional brightness, but will also change the look of your kitchen and enhance your work areas.

Home Updates in the Bathroom(s)

When you are talking about updating a main bathroom, you are looking at a cost of around $10,000. But here again, a little updating can go a long way. For budget updating in a bathroom, think the following:

• Installing a shower: A new spa or rain showerhead with adjustable and temperature control settings will impress any home buyer.
• Installing a bathtub or Jacuzzi: Consider adding options like in-line heaters, foot rests, foot massage jets and adjustable jet speeds.
• Updating faucets: Sometimes just changing your faucets to more modern materials like brass or plated nickel can enhance the whole bathroom and update it to look like new.
• Updating flooring: A bathroom floor gets a lot of wear and when it gets worn looking it is time to consider replacing it. If you currently have a vinyl or linoleum floor, consider switching to tile or bamboo.

Small improvements like regrouting tile and adding a new medicine cabinet or refacing counters and cabinets will update your bathrooms and add more value to your home. And don’t forget a bathroom shower and tub that sparkle with cleanliness. They will always catch the attention of any potential homebuyer.

As you can see, you don’t need to spend mega bucks to get mega returns on home updates. Just follow the suggestions above.