To renovate or not to renovate? That is often the question for homeowners who decide to put their house on the market.
Even if you've taken excellent care of your home, if you've lived in it for any longer than a few years, chances are that tastes have changed.
What that means is that potential buyers coming to look at your house have likely also looked at houses that are newer and more updated than yours.
But how do you know what to change and what to leave? Knowing the answer to that question could save you hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars.
Here are some tips that can help you decide where to spend your money.
Start with the Kitchen but Start Small Unless it is a 1980s nightmare, do not do a complete overhaul of your kitchen.
Kitchen renovations are notoriously expensive and, while real estate agents often say that the kitchen sells the home, that's no reason to go overboard.
You can make your kitchen presentable and pleasing with a few easy and inexpensive changes and the key to doing this successfully is to making moderate changes in stages and then standing back and evaluating whether or not you need to keep going.
For example, don't begin with knocking down a wall; instead, replace your old appliances with new ones and change the hardware on your cupboards and cabinets.
If you still are not satisfied, move on to bigger projects like painting the walls or replacing or refinishing counters with a DIY kit.
Chances are, your kitchen will look almost new and you will have spent significantly less money than if you had opted for a true renovation.
Repair or Replace Outdated Flooring in Selected Areas For your next quick fix, look down and see what's underfoot.
Does your home have old stained carpet, warped laminate or peeling linoleum? If the answer is yes, then you have got some work to do but, luckily for you, flooring choices are more diverse and affordable than ever.
The best way to save money is to purchase a neutral toned berber carpet for the bedrooms because berber is durable, attractive and affordable.
In entrances, opt for an authentic-looking, thick tile-style linoleum.
Then, if you absolutely must tackle your hardwood or laminate floors, do so only in high-traffic living areas and check if it's possible to spot treat.
You might be able to get away with replacing a few boards or a small section without having to pull up the entire floor.
Give New Life to Old Light Fixtures Surprisingly, light fixtures are very influential when it comes to potential buyers judging your house as outdated versus updated.
Just one old, dusty light fixture can effectively ruin a room's ambiance, yet so many people over look them when they are looking to make improvements before putting their house up for sale.
But take another look, are your fixtures horrendous bright orange glass globes from the 1970s that absolutely must be replaced or do they just need a little sprucing up? Have you got an old-school brass chandelier over the dining room table? Here's where a can of spray paint can become your best friend.
Detach the fixture from the ceiling, take it outside, place it on a large sheet of plastic and give it a coat of black, gray or off-white spray paint- depending on your décor- and watch it come back to life (watch out for drips).
You can repeat this process for all the light fixtures in your house if they are salvageable.
The cost to you? Under $50.
Don't let putting your home on the market turn you into a human ATM.
Use these simple tips to make your home look its best and help you save money in the long run.