Bathroom Makeover Tips Before You Sell Your House
When you’re preparing to sell your home, it’s important to remember that the first impressions you give to prospective buyers are often the ones that last. So it makes sense to undertake simple improvements that can be completed relatively quickly and cheaply in key areas. A bathroom makeover is a great way to improve the look of this part of the house — particularly if you feel that it’s an area that lets the rest of your home down and might put off potential purchasers.
Some homeowners decide to go in for a major rehab project before they put their house on the market. But unless you’re sure that you can recoup the expense that you’d be investing with a full bathroom remodel, it may be better to make cosmetic changes and improve the look of the fixtures and fittings that you already have with some simple cleaning and decorating tactics.
So how do you start fixing up your bathroom to maximize its appeal without having to spend a lot of time and money on a major remodeling project? Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Cleaning: it goes without saying that when you’re getting ready to sell your house, everything needs to be sparkling clean — and this is especially important in a bathroom. As well as the bath tub and sink, make sure the floor mats, walls and countertops are clean. Get rid of lime scale around faucets and plug holes, clean grout (you can find a special grout cleaning pen for the purpose) and polish glass shelves and steel or chrome fixtures.
Check Seals and Fixtures: even if major fittings such as the bath, basin or toilet are in good repair, the seals around them may be damaged or cracked, grungy or leaky. You can remove damaged or badly stained sealant and replace it at little cost, often greatly enhancing the overall appearance. If your bath is worn or chipped, consider having it resurfaced if you don’t want to go to the expense of replacing it entirely. If your faucets are old-fashioned or showing signs of wear and tear, it may be a good idea to invest in new ones.
Resolve Bathroom Moisture Problems: water is a key element in the bathroom, of course. But over time, poor ventilation or leaks can cause water stains, peeling paint or even mold growth. A serious mold problem can require professional inspection and treatment, so it’s important to control humidity levels through good ventilation and use specialist cleaning products to prevent mold growth. Blistering paint or other surface damage may also require treatment.
De-clutter: clear away personal items and toiletries from your countertops. Having clear surfaces may make these areas seem larger and will de-personalize the space, allowing house viewers to imagine their own belongings in the room. For the same reason, it may help to replace your favorite patterned towels or shower curtain with plain white or cream alternatives.…
Kitchen Make-Over
The most sought-after or should I say the most popular place in the house is the kitchen. This is where everything starts, from small talks, family matters, day-to-day planning activities to the most important thing… foods are likely to happen here. It is also the very first place to go when we wake up in the morning. I don’t know why it should that be but I know it’s always been.
So being the most sought-after place in the house, it also acquires the most attention of the owners so much so that it is the most renovated place in the new captivating design trends in kitchen cabinets, fixtures, accessories, counter top designs, and kitchen utensil designs, many homeowners are willing to spend in renovating their kitchen in order to squeeze-in that dream kitchen look. A lot of to do list will always comes out in the mind of the owners upon seeing new market trends in the market today.
But any homeowner, one should take into consideration the two major factors in the renovation process such as designs and affordability. In the design process you have to make decisions what fits most to your personality. Homeowners can search in the market the vast array of designs. In this aspect you must bear in mind that good designs need not to be expensive! Of course if you want long lasting kitchen furniture go with the solid wood cabinet designs and marble counter tops. They’re pricey but they should not be very expensive compared to processed wood or reconstituted marble-like counter tops, but you’ve got more value of your money.
But the best approached in kitchen renovations and at the same time saving effort and money is replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts. This is a little bit costly but not as pricey as replacing the entire cabinets. Replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts can be done by using the same material as the original one or maybe something entirely different as the budget permits. Choices range from solid wood or wood-like laminates which are easily accessible in the markets today. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts designs will set the tone of the entire kitchen area, so choosing design style as flat panels, raised panels or recessed panels much be taken into considerations. Choices can be thick, thin, grooved, straight edged and curved ones and most importantly either of these can be matched, mixed and cross-matched as long as they complimented each other. Furthermore, it is also best to change the hinges and handles, not that it is necessary but also to compliment the doors and drawer fronts designs and styles.
This kitchen renovation approach, however minimal can set the mood of the whole kitchen area in particular from traditional look to modern or European look.
And most of all don’t decide hastily. Talk to the experts it will save you a lot!…
Consider A Makeover For Your Bathroom
Whether your motivation is to enhance your usage experience or to enhance your home’s resale value, a bathroom remodel project is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. In terms of maximizing the benefits, few can argue that renovating your bathroom will offer the most bang for the buck in terms of payback when it comes time to sell while allowing you the extra comfort and enjoyment while you are still in your home.
Much like a kitchen, the bathroom tends to be one area where potential home buyers have strong emotions. A functional and stylish bathroom can literally make or break the deal when you put your home on the market. But resale potential is not the primary reason to consider your bathroom renovation. Sure we all would like as much money as we can get, but why not enjoy your home to the fullest while you are still in it? Plus, with the economy in a down trend, more and more people are choosing to spruce up their existing homes instead of moving to a new home. You can save a lot of money by remaining in your home and simply improving it instead of moving. For the long-term, that decision makes a lot of sense financially.
Your renovation project can be as simple or elaborate as you desire. It is amazing what a new mirror and a new coat of paint can do for a bathroom. If your budget and energy allows, you can get really ambitious and knock out walls, install a new tub or shower, add new cabinets, and a number of other things. The only limit to your project will be budget and imagination.
Before you begin any project, you need to plan carefully. the last thing you want to do is begin a bathroom renovation that renders it useless for weeks because you didn’t realize the impact of changes you made or because you ran out of funds before you finished. The best way to avoid these types of planning mistakes is to use the services of a professional contractor. A professional will know the process, know the right subcontractors, and be able to steer you towards a successful completion. If your project is relatively small, then you can probably do it yourself without any help. But when pipes need to be moved or electrical outlets need to be moved, unless you really know what you are doing, do not attempt these types of tasks by yourself. Always leave these types of jobs to the professionals.
A bathroom renovation can make a big difference in your enjoyment of your home while adding potential resale value. If you don’t have the bathroom of your dreams already, look into an upgrade. Whether you want a major facelift or just new counters and lights, you will be happy you did. And the older and more worn your current bathroom is, the more you will probably enjoy your new one. The best part is that there are many options available regardless of your budget, just get creative and enjoy the experience.…