If you’ve visited my blog recently, you’ll notice there are a number of new homes for sale on the Lake Nacimiento Real Estate market; which is great news!  Buyers interested in searching out their ideal vacation spot or new permanent residence can really hone in on the type of home they’re after and can find a perfect fit!

However, if you’re considering selling your Oak Shores or Heritage Ranch home, this may seem overwhelming to see these new homes on the market as they’re your potential competition.  You begin to think through all the projects you need to tackle to bring your home up to date, and all of the sudden selling your home seems like a daunting task.

But it doesn’t have to be!  Yes, you want to ensure your home is in great condition and will stand out from other homes on the market, but you don’t have to spend a fortune doing it.  Below are eight cost effective projects, as pointed out by Kiplinger.com, that will give your home a quick boost!  The best part?  Most of these projects you can do yourself!

1. Caulk Windows and Weatherstrip Doorways– Caulking windows and applying weatherstripping to exterior doorways will make your home more energy-efficient by sealing major sources of air leaks. This can help cut down your cooling bills during the summer and heating bills in winter. Both projects are simple enough that many homeowners tackle the tasks themselves.

2. Install Under-Cabinet Lighting in the Kitchen– Adding under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen illuminates work surfaces (a plus for home cooks) and can make the space appear less dated (a plus for future buyers). Since there can be a bit of wiring involved to connect multiple fixtures to each other, not to mention drilling holes in expensive cabinetry, you might want to leave this project to a pro.

3. Add Crown Molding to the Living Room– Crown molding can add a touch of luxury to a living room without a luxurious price tag.  Adding a chair rail can also give a room a finished look says Neil Parsons, owner of Design Build Pros, a Toms River, N.J., remodeling firm. Keep in mind, though, that molding should be added for your own aesthetic enjoyment rather than purely for resale purposes.  As I mentioned earlier, kitchens and baths are what sells homes about what sells homes. If your remodeling budget is tight, focus your resources on those rooms first.

4. Install a Backsplash in the Kitchen– Up the wow factor in your kitchen by adding a tile backsplash. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most popular tile finishes; however, ceramic tile costs less.  This will give your kitchen a finished look and can provide an impressive boost to the overall feel of your kitchen.

5. Update Hardware on Kitchen Cabinets– If you have a limited budget, a full-scale kitchen remodel is not an option. However, you can make small tweaks to help freshen up the space. A project that’s cost-friendly and one you can do yourself is updating the hardware on your kitchen cabinets and drawers.  As long as your cabinets are in good condition, swapping out dated hardware will give your cabinets an instant facelift.

6. Replace Fixtures in the Bathroom– Consider swapping the existing fixtures in your bathroom, such as the toilet, faucets and shower head, for high-efficiency versions. Not only are you getting an updated look in your bathroom, but you’ll also be saving money on your water bill. Don’t forget the hardware in the bathroom such as faucets and the knobs on the cabinetry can provide an updated look as well!

7. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint– Professional home stagers recommend painting the interior a neutral color, such as taupe or cream, to make spaces feel larger. But a whole-house paint job is expensive. To keep the project under $1,000, focus on the most visible areas, such as the entryway, kitchen, main-level bathroom and family room or living room.  Neutralizing the paint colors will help an array of buyers feel comfortable in your home.

8. Replace the Front Door– This project is aimed at homeowners who are in search of the highest payback from a renovation when they eventually sell the house. According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, replacing a front door with a new steel door will result in a nearly 86% return on the investment at resale.  Not able to replace the door?  A fresh coat of paint will provide an updated look and revive a weathered door.

After reading over these tips, take a few minutes to go through your Lake Nacimiento home and look at it through a buyers’ eyes.  Are there a few of these projects you can do before taking the next step in putting your home on the market?

Better yet, I’d love to talk with you!  If you’re considering selling your home, I can walk with you through your home and help determine what will help get your home sold.  As a Lake Nacimiento Real Estate agent for over twenty years, I know what buyers are looking for and can come up with a customized home selling plan for your Oak Shores or Heritage Ranch home!

Contact me today to get started!

Grace Borzini
Your Local Lake Nacimiento Real Estate Expert
Oak Shores Realty

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Oak Shores Realty specializes in Oak Shores at Lake Nacimiento properties. Please contact us today to get more information on Lake Nacimiento lake homes. Oak Shores Realty can also provide you an insiders “Lake Nacimiento Buying Guide” with great information including maps and market information.

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