Add Value and Style With Low Cost Kitchen and Bath Updates

Home owners who have finally made a decision to sell their home may not be thinking about updating and remodeling. But staging — coupled with necessary low cost renovations — are important considerations in a home selling strategy and an investment in getting top dollar for a property.

Older homes, in particular, may require improvements in key rooms such as kitchens or baths to meet today’s buyer demand for a newer or updated, move-in ready home. RealtyTrac’s recent Aging Homes Analysis found more than 70% of single-family homes in the U.S. were built before 1990 presenting a unique opportunity for sellers willing to invest in updates.

Creative, low-cost updates will transform an outdated kitchen or bath and bring tremendous value, boosting a home’s appeal and selling potential in a competitive housing market. Older homes also traditionally have smaller kitchen and baths than today’s homes and when done right, a new color scheme or other modest changes can even brighten and make the room appear larger.

Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost Vs Value report found the best-performing kitchen and bath project is a minor remodel — which includes new appliances and counter tops, a face lift for cabinets, updating outdated vanities and faucets, and adding new cabinet hardware. We do this all the time for our interior decorating and home staging clients and share some examples below.

Low cost renovations are also a smart solution for homeowners who want to update their home today but may be thinking about selling in a few years, or for those who simply need to stretch their remodeling budget.

It’s always important to consider plans to sell when making updates to ensure the home will appeal to future buyers. Ultimately, the cost to update something in the home before it goes on the market will be less than the price reduction buyers will expect as compensation for out-of-date rooms.