Small Home Projects with a Big Impact

Because we have spent many years remodeling and flipping homes as central Austin realtors, we often get questions this time of year from clients getting ready to sell their homes in the spring. What should they do now to prepare an outdated Austin home to sell in the Spring?  Here are some projects that each cost under $2,000 that will cause a big impact in terms of buyer appeal. And if you do it now, you will actually get to enjoy the projects!

• Are your kitchen cabinets outdated? Reconditioning the cabinets will take out the nicks and scratches that years acquire. Add new hardware (I love the Restoration Hardware Outlet for hardware), and your kitchen will feel much cleaner. Or, paint the cabinets for a whole new look.
• Open up your floorplan. This may be easier said than done or it could be really easy and you didn’t know it! If your kitchen is separate from your family room, taking out even half a wall and adding a breakfast bar or island will modernize the floor plan. I have found some amazing deals on breakfast bars on Craig’s List. Joe and I would love to look at your kitchen to see if this is a feasible option.
• You may have an 80’s bathroom and think you are stuck with a $5,000 bathroom remodel. Actually, regrouting, replacing old faucets, light fixtures, and vanities, will create the feel of a new bathroom for under $500. Add a cute shower curtain (here are some cute ones from Anthropologie), and monogram some towels. Instead of a bath rug, buy a fun rug that covers up the outdated tile from Pottery Barn Teen like this one . These are all things you can take to your new home, but will help sell your current home in the mean time!
• Replace outdated light fixtures. If your house doesn’t have any recessed lighting, consider adding it to the living area and kitchen.
• Replace brass fixtures and door knobs.
• Add an interesting backsplash if your kitchen doesn’t have one. Kitchen backsplashes are fun because it is a smaller surface area that requires less tile so you can be creative and spend less money. I LOVE Ann Sacks tile! We have plenty of samples if you would like to see them in person.

In this economy, spending money when you are unsure about the return feels risky. Contact Joe at JH Residential so that he can provide you with a market analysis on your specific area of town and let you know a wise way to update your home.