DIY Projects That Add Value to Your Home or Rental Property

Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  Looking to add value to your home or rental property without hiring a contractor? Here are 10 projects you can do yourself to increase value.

Update Light Fixtures

Lighting can make a dramatic difference throughout your home or rental property and change the way people feel as they enter, increasing the likelihood that they’ll sign on the line. You can change out most light fixtures yourself, but you may need an electrician if you opt to install recessed lighting where there wasn’t lighting before.

Simple, flush mount light fixtures can run as little as $20 a piece, while statement light fixtures for dining areas, entries, and bathrooms start around $100 and go up from there. New light fixtures can make the home feel more modern and improve lighting, showing buyers and renters you have nothing to hide.

Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings make a house look older than it is and turn away buyers and renters. Removing popcorn ceilings requires a little sweat equity and makes your home more modern and appealing. The whole project can be done in a day with less than $100 – but it does require some over-the-head labor.

Simply buy and apply popcorn ceiling remover (yes, that’s a product!) according to the instructions, and then scrape with a drywall knife or utility knife. Sand the ceiling smooth and repaint.

Refresh Kitchen Cabinets

Outdated kitchen cabinets can reduce the value of your property and make it more difficult to sell or rent. For many renters and buyers, the kitchen is one of the most important spaces in the home. However, one of the primary reasons property owners delay kitchen remodels is the cost. Kitchen overhauls can be incredibly expensive, ranging as high as $120,000 with custom cabinets, granite countertops, and high-end appliances.

A quick, easy way to refresh your kitchen for a few hundred dollars? A cabinet refresh. Simply remove cabinet doors, sand according to best practices, and then stain with a more modern stain or paint. Replace cabinet and drawer pulls to finish the project.

If your cabinet faces are too outdated, even refacing your cabinets is much more affordable than replacing your cabinets altogether. Whatever you spend, the ROI on kitchen upgrades is around 54%, making it a great investment.

Lay Down Fresh Paint

A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to modernize a home and make it feel new and fresh again. By repainting, you can cover blemishes and discoloration and hide any evidence of outdated design.

Choose neutral paint colors to appeal to the most broad audience, and choose lighter paint colors to make the home look and feel more spacious. Paint costs around $25 per gallon and it takes an average of two gallons of paint to cover a single room, so you can expect to spend about $50 per room. If you’re using one or two colors for the whole house, you can save money by buying five-gallon buckets instead of one gallon at a time.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

If your thermostat isn’t digital, it’s time to upgrade. You can buy an electronic, programmable thermostat for under $100 and save your potential buyer or renter on energy costs indefinitely (and remove the outdated eyesore that your thermostat has become).

Programmable thermostats allow occupants to set the temperature of the home according to the time of day, so they don’t waste heat or air conditioning when they typically aren’t home, for example. By upgrading your thermostat, you make the home look more modern and make it more affordable and practical for potential occupants.

Refresh the Bathroom

While a bathroom refresh might sound overwhelming, a few small changes can go a long way. Take a look around and consider which of the following will make the most difference in your bathroom:

• upgrading the showerhead to a fixture with added settings
• painting or staining the cabinets
• replacing the cabinet pulls with more modern hardware
• replacing the faucet with a more modern finish
• hanging removable wallpaper on one wall or removing outdated wallpaper
• replacing the light fixture or mirror above the vanity
• replacing switchplates and outlet covers with bright white

Because you may have a shower curtain and rug in place when showing your home, laundering those items can freshen up the room, too.

Add a Backsplash

A backsplash behind the kitchen sink or stove can be installed in a day and add value to your home. To add the most value, choose neutral tile that isn’t too trendy and install in an area prone to splattering food or water to create a protective barrier and make cleaning easier for the buyer or renter. Be sure to seal appropriately when you’re done.

Replace the Flooring

If your home or rental property suffers from outdated, stained, or damaged flooring, it’s going to impact the value. Buyers and renters are often overwhelmed by flooring that needs to be replaced and may simply choose another home because of it. The best way to prevent outdated flooring from ruining the day is to replace it, and some options can be done without a contractor, like luxury vinyl plank, or LVP.

LVP is water resistant and durable and comes in a variety of different colors and styles, making it a top choice for buyers and renters. It’s also easy to install with a little help from YouTube.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is this: to attract high-quality tenants and bring in the rental income you desire, it’s important to present a clean, updated home. While many upgrades require a contractor to complete, there are a number of home improvement projects that you can do yourself to increase the value of your home and the quality of your renters. An open weekend, a small budget, and some sweat equity can go a long way in preparing your home for sale or rent. For more tips check out this Maintenance Checklist to help avoid projects before they are needed.

Click the links below for any posts you have missed:

Reasons to Upgrade Your Bathroom

Why Condos Are Ideal For Young Families

Box Cutters: The Key to Effortless Box Opening and Decluttering

Important Information About Roofing Contractors

When Do You Need to Install Fire-Rated Access Doors?

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Home Exterior

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Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world!  Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!

Toodles,