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Wondering if you should renovate your home? These easy remodeling projects can make your home more livable or help it sell for a higher price – and best of all, you can do them yourself.
While not every homeowner is equally capable at DIY, these eight remodels are usually fairly easy to accomplish. All you need are basic tools you may own, can buy inexpensively, or rent, a little willingness to learn, and a lot of elbow grease.
There are many reasons you might think it’s time for a quick home remodel:
That shag carpet and dark wood paneling might have suited your parent’s tastes, but it’s the 2020s now and times have changed. A major reason for a remodel is to update the look and feel of a home to be more modern.
Speaking of modern homes, perhaps you’re tired of washing dishes by hand or waiting in line for the only bathroom in the house. Remodeling can include additions or renovations, but your willingness to dive in can hinge on your budget and your ability as a handy-man or -woman.
Some home repairs can be let go for years, while others must be taken care of quickly before they cause more serious issues. Choose wisely and pick your battles before getting in too deep with a complex repair you don’t understand.
Most buyers want a home that’s ready to move into, so it could be in your best interests to do some quick updates before you put your home on the market. Focus on bang for buck: inexpensive home makeovers that attract positive attention and distract from any flaws. Major remodels before a sale are not advised, as the return on investment may not be as high as you’d think.
Whether you’re planning to sell or stay in your home, it’s best to focus on easy renovation projects with a high ROI. Don’t waste your time on purely cosmetic solutions like ornamental light fixtures, and think twice before splashing out for a full kitchen or bath remodel.
Try these easy renovation projects first, then decide if you have confidence to branch out further.
If you’re working with at least a roomy three or four bedroom, think about taking furniture out and investing in a built-in desk for a workstation. Add extra outlets at mid wall height and usb charging outlets as well to make the space extra functional. Add some high quality lighting and you have an amazing home office to attract work-from home fans.
Don’t get scared: re-tiling a bath isn’t as hard as it looks, and if you do irrevocably mess it up it’s a small area that you can hire a pro to help fix. This one simple process can improve the look and feel of a bath immensely and even help hike the sales value.
Refacing cabinets in your kitchen can instantly elevate the look and allow you to get creative with color. Think about adding a splash of bold tint with bright cheery painted cabinet doors, but only take this route if you’re not selling anytime soon, as your tastes could clash with those of a buyer.
If your home is older, peel up a discreet corner of newer flooring and take a peek. You might find beautiful wood floors hidden away that you can stand down and refinish for a major boost to your home’s appeal.
This one is a little pricier, but way less labor investment, as you can have deliverymen setup your new appliances and haul away old ones. It’s the fastest, easiest way to boost a kitchen profile and make it much more pleasant to use.
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders. Take the time to come up with a solid color scheme that depends on a main color, a supplementary shade, and several more complementary colors. This way you can make your home interesting but also cohesive. Once you’ve gotten your paint brush wet, move outdoors and keep going. You may have to run exterior house paint colors by an HOA, but the entire neighborhood will appreciate everyone keeping their homes looking fresh and updated.
Depending on your water table, you might notice faucets, showerheads and other water exposed items looking a little grungy. Replacing these can give your skins and showers a distinctive update and elevate the feel of your entire house. Look at your door knobs while you’re at it!
Taking a good look at your home from the street and assessing its curb appeal gives you one more area to make improvements. Maybe a small stone garden or a new shrub can make your home that much more appealing.
Can you really improve your home’s value by renovating? Americans spend billions of dollars every year on home renovations, and this number even spiked during the pandemic, when people buckled down to DIY their homes.
In what is now a seller’s market, many homebuyers take the option to buy homes “as is” and do repairs themselves, or even take out a home renovation loan so they can purchase a house and fix it up.
Will that work pay off? The average return on common home renovation projects is just over 66%, but sometimes it’s not about the money. If you plan to live in the home, the enjoyment of having everything just the way you want it could be worth far more than any simple dollar amount bump to overall value ever could.
Taking the DIY approach to home renovation projects can save money. Many of these easy renovation projects are simple enough for homeowners to tackle them on their own. However, before you dive in, make sure you have the following:
At Sammamish Mortgage, we can help you buy the perfect home, whether it’s newly remodeled or in sore need of renovation. The process starts with getting preapproved for a mortgage, so you can shop available homes on the market with confidence.
Sammamish Mortgage has been in business since 1992, and has assisted many homebuyers in the Pacific Northwest. If you are looking for mortgage financing in Washington State, we can help you get pre-approved. Sammamish Mortgage offers mortgage programs in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Contact a loan officer if you have any mortgage-related questions or concerns. If you are ready to move forward, you can view rates, obtain a customized instant rate quote, or apply instantly directly from our website.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.