1) Slapping on Paint
This is the #1 home improvement project homeowners can try to do themselves. There are 2 keys to a good paint job: choosing the paint and prepping the surface. Splurge on quality paint as well as brushes and rollers. If you are not sure of the color you want, rent a sample (yes, most hardware stores will let you do this).
Prep the surface by cleaning walls, sanding them, and patching holes. This accounts for the majority of the work and will make your house show better.
2) Finish the Basement
A family can add as much as a third of the space to a 2story house for a moderate cost by fixing the basement. This is a smart investment strategy that can recoup as much as 80% of the investment upon selling.
Here’s How to Fix Basement – DIY
3) Lose the Kitchen Wall
Many older homes used to have a wall separating the dining room and the kitchen. By knocking down the wall, the space is opened and viola! This kitchen remodeling project and a new kitchen look that can allow to recover 70-80% of the cost of renovation.
The rest of the kitchen may need to be updated with wood cabinets, non-laminate countertops, and non-vinyl flooring. Additional extras popular with home buyers would be island seating, industrial look appliances, and heavy duty hardware.
4) Try Bathroom Remodeling
Keep up with today’s amenities by updating your bathroom with double sinks, brushed nickel fixtures, powerful multi-head showers and toilets in their own alcoves. Rather than spending $30,000 on a complete overhaul, you can purchase a new toilet, sink and bathroom fixtures for $6,000 to $7,000.
Consider getting an acrylic mold shaped in the curve of your existing tub and slipped over the top. Install a new drain and have everything fitted together with a professional looking finish. Make sure there’s no water damage behind existing walls before you go with this bathroom remodeling idea. It can save you a couple of thousands of $$ over the price of purchasing and making room for a new tub.
5) Window Treatments
Name brand windows can be a huge selling point to potential buyers. Investing in window treatments will pay you back a 75% recoup upon selling.