10 Cheap Ways to Make Your Home Shine

Sellers always want to know the cheapest things they can do to make buyers love their home. These 10 things will make your home shine whether you are trying to sell, trying to impress the neighbors or family, or want to feel more at home in a rental.

1. Entry Way: Touch up the paint on the front door and other areas that are seen first.
2. Clean the Yard: Trim the hedges and trees and plant some annuals in the flowerbeds.
3. Fresh Paint: A coat of light yellow or cream with contrasting white woodwork looks fresh and clean.
4. Refinish the Floors: Buff the hardwoods. Install new carpets – or at least get them professionally cleaned.
5. Fix Structural Issues that are Visible:. If the house needs a roof or the front stoop is crumbling, get them fixed.
6. Get a Home Warranty: Putting appliances under warranty gives homebuyers a secure feeling.
7. Improve Energy Efficiency:. New windows or improved insulation tell a potential buyer the seller is on top of things plus they come with tax benefits.
8. Replace Light Fixtures. Updated fixtures, especially at the entrance way and in the foyer, create a good first impression.
9. Buy a Stove. Home owners whose kitchen isn’t top of the line can jazz it up for a few hundred dollars by buying a new stove, which gives the room a fresh feel.
10. Tidy Up the Bathrooms. Get rid of mildew, replace caulking and replace stained sinks.