Consumers and Home Owners - Before you put your home on the market, make sure you read the following home improvement ideas recommended by St Louis real estate agents and how you can spruce up the old place without spending a complete fortune.
1. Heat Up Your Kitchen
Depending on your budget, why not start with the less expensive type of replacements that will make your old kitchen look like new. Remember, this is probably one of the most important rooms in your house to show off to the new family. Start with some new lighting fixtures and do not forget to replace the old cabinet door handles. A new sink or kitchen faucets will do wonders for the perfect open house. And if you have a larger budget, think about re-facing your kitchen cabinets which is still less than buying new ones.
2. A Face-Lift Will Make Your Home Look Younger
Another eyesore you want to avoid is if your kitchen appliances do not match. A simple solution would be to order new doors or face panels from the manufacturer. Most people don't realize this but many dishwasher panels are white on one side and black on the other and they are easy to change.
3. Give Your Bathroom Some Style
The bathroom is another important room in the house that may need updating. And it doesn't have to mean mortgaging the house, so to say. Consider a new toilet seat or a pedestal sink. They are easy to install and can create a whole new look.
If your floor looks old and dingy, replace it with vinyl or sheet tile. Another tips is to replace old, broken chipped tiles with new ones and do not forget to use new grouting if needed. If you have extra money for improvements, put in a new prefabricated tub.
4. Paint, Paint and More Paint
People seem to forget that painting is not only an inexpensive home improvement, but it can bring an old room alive. It will look new and clean. Paint all trim a contrasting color and do the ceiling!
Here's something new to think about. Paint your walls three different shades of the same color. More and more decorators are suggesting this new type of theme. Put the darkest shade on the bottom third with the next lightest shade in the middle and so forth.
5. This Would Be a Good Time To Look Down
What do you see? Old carpeting? Then you need to take some steps in making this look like new which in turn will reflect the same look on your entire home. This is no time to do-it-yourself. Call a professional carpet cleaner and let them do their voodoo that they do so well.
On the other hand, if your carpet is showing serious wear, a quick cover up could be an inexpensive, strategically placed area rug. Replacing wall-to-wall carpet is not always the best idea since most new homeowners moving in will want to choose their own carpeting.
6. The Entrance Says It All
This is the very first thing you, and your guests, will see as they enter your home. If the door is made of wood and in good shape, then a new coat of paint or refinishing it may be the answer. But if you have a steel door and you notice it is dented, replace it with an inexpensive steel door, a fiberglass door or upgrade to a nice wood grain door.
After you paint or re-finish the front door, think seriously about replacing the door knob, lock set and knocker. Another great tip is placing two large planters on both sides of the new door.
7. Your Home and Curb Appeal
These tips may seem obvious but let's go over them anyway. When new buyers pull up to your address, make absolutely sure the lawn has been mowed and manicured. Make sure any bushes you have are trimmed as well. The inside of your home may be immaculate, but if the outside looks like a complete mess, your odds of selling the home just went down.
Consider talking with a professional landscaper. They will no doubt give you some great suggestions on simple and inexpensive ways to make your lawn a masterpiece. The last thing you want is for your home to remain on the market just because it doesn't look presentable. You won't like this, your agent won't like this and of course, your St Louis mortgage broker won't like these avoidable delays at all.