Give Your Colorado Springs Real Estate a Face Lift
9 Tips for Home Improvements
We all know how hot and hopping the Colorado Springs real estate market is right now. And while homes seem to be flying off the shelves, so to speak, a little bit of home improvement may bring you an extra couple grand from an offer. Or perhaps, you’ve buttoned down the hatches and decided to stay put for a while. These simple updates will make you feel like you’ve moved into a new place!
1. Power (Wash) Up!
This might be the easiest way to make your home look brand new without having to break the bank or deal with too much stress. This can cost anywhere from $50-$500 depending on if you own a power washer, buy or rent one, or hire professionals to come and do it for you. Just be sure to follow any instructions given with the power washer in order to avoid damage and give that porch, deck, siding, fence, and sidewalk a good shower from all the winter and spring build-up that accrues between summers.
2. Knock Knock…
Another relatively cheap and very effective update for your home could be a new door! Nothing is worse of an eye sore than an unwelcoming entryway. Cracked paint or wood does not send the right message, even if the rest of your home is in tip-top shape. The average entryway door costs $600 and is worth much more than that on the value of your curb appeal.
3. Boost that Curb Appeal
Speaking of curb appeal, landscaping is another great use of your summertime! Though good quality landscaping is not always cheap, it truly makes a difference in your home value. Some studies say that an impressive exterior can make up to 28% of your comprehensive home value. The way your home and yard looks from the outside is your buyer’s first impression of the value of the home, and consequently, of the neighborhood in which you live.
4. Let there be Light
Yes, this window replacement is a bit of a bigger project. But you will be amazed how much replacing your windows could help your house, especially if your windows are 15-20 years or older. The cost varies depending on how many windows you have and what type of windows you choose, but dual-sided windows usually provide the most cost-savings in the long run. Replacing your windows will help make your home more sound-proof, help with heating and cooling inefficiencies, and freshen up your lighting and look.
You can also get more lighting in your home by replacing light fixtures. Having a well-lit home makes an excellent first-impression.
5. Save Money AND Energy
Consider mounting new ceiling fans or installing a programmable thermostat. Running ceiling fans uses less energy than air conditioning and can help reduce electric costs while also giving your house a unique ceiling piece and additional lighting.
Programmable thermostats can help you save on HVAC electric costs when you are not at home or during the night. This is especially helpful if your home is vacant while selling. No one wants to walk through a stuffy empty house, or worse…a freezing cold one! A programmable thermostat can ensure that your home is at the ideal temperature for showings, but then save energy when potential buyers are not there.
6. Take it Outside
With our beautiful year-round weather, a fun and trendy addition to your Colorado Springs real estate is a spiffed-up outdoor living space. This can be as small as re-staining or painting an already existing deck or porch to building a new deck or patio. Or go big-time and install an epic outdoor kitchen! They sky’s the limit with making your yard an entertainment paradise. Keep in mind, renovations such as an outdoor kitchen are certainly on the pricier end, but there are a plethora of outdoor updates you can do without breaking the bank. Check out BHG’s Tips for Outdoor Living Spaces to get started.
7. Color your World
Paint is a cost-friendly way to add value to your home. Freshly painted interiors and exteriors can really be game changers! Before you choose a color though, you may want to check out the trending colors for what buyers in 2020 are wanting to see. Needless to say, a black wall may not add value to your home, where a cool light blue might.
8. Raise the Roof
This is a costly renovation that is also time consuming and most likely not one you want to take on yourself. However, if your home is in need of new roofing, NOW is the time. Trying to fix roofing issues in the winter is not safe, and it is often raining in the spring and/or fall. So summertime may be your best shot for roofing renovations.
9. The Big Kahunas
When you hear the word renovation, you probably think immediately of redoing your kitchen or bathroom. These are the biggest cost and labor intensive commitments, however they do usually yield the greatest return on investment when selling. Just beware, once you update your kitchen or bathroom, you might start thinking every room in the house needs an update to fit the new look! It can become quite a process.
If you think this type of renovation might be for you, perhaps start smaller with redoing cabinetry, adding a backsplash to your sink wall, or installing an island. For bathrooms, try a nicer vanity setup or add more counter space before you overhaul all the tile and shower etc. If in doubt, talk to your Colorado Springs real estate agent to take advantage of their years of experience selling homes.
Looking to buy or sell Colorado Springs Real Estate? Give us a Call!
If you are looking for trustworthy real estate agents to help you navigate your move to or from Colorado Springs, or to make recommendations for projects to increase your home value, give Krakofsky Team Realty a call at (719) 231-9544.
As retired military, Jamie thoroughly enjoys helping others buy and sell their homes. He and his wife, Bianca, raised their 3 kids in Colorado and they plan to stay here, serving the Colorado Springs and surrounding areas until he truly retires (which may never happen). When not laughing with his clients and negotiating killer deals, Jamie spends all his free time with his family – hiking, camping, boating and traveling.
Jamie is a certified MRP (Military Relocation Professional) and was just recently awarded the Chairman’s Award by Re/MAX, which names his team in the top 1% of Real Estate agents in the world.
What Jamie loves most is helping his clients have a successful and truly enjoyable real estate experience.