Inexpensive Upgrades
Modernizing for Great Returns on Your Investiment
The housing market is revving up again even though it seems we just said good-bye to the holidays. If you plan to list your house in another month or so, now is the time to start prepping.
Very few people build or buy a brand new home just to turn around and sell it shortly afterward. We stay in our houses until we add children to the mix, a job location changes, or the kids grow up and move out. And when we do decide to get a bigger house, move to a different city, or down-size again, what we never noticed before may be a glaring eye-sore to potential buyers.
Let’s talk about three upgrades to modernize a house without breaking the bank.
1. Flooring. My husband and I have a son
graduating from high school this spring so
of course, I’m starting to notice the wear
and tear that seems to have just
appeared on our hardwood floors.
New flooring is a great way to modernize
whether it’s refinishing hardwood,
replacing old vinyl with the popular,
durable, and attractive luxury vinyl planking
and tile, or laying new carpeting. Home Depot,
Lowe’s, or Menard’s all have a good variety
of flooring options at economical prices.
Many stagers are also able to get whole-sale
pricing for you at specialty vendors.
2. Lighting. We live in an older home that I
think still has some of the original, antiquated
light fixtures in it. Since we have 9 foot ceilings,
I don’t spend much time looking up at
the lights. Until I became a home stager,
I never even considered updating them.
Currently any brass fixture is outdated.
Choose a fixture that not only works with
the style of your home and furnishings
but definitely modernizes the room.
Also consider the size of the space and how
many bulbs are necessary to adequately
light that area. Again, the big-box stores
will be your best value.

3. Painting. Lighter, neutral wall colors make
rooms look bigger and when it’s painted
throughout the house, flow is created from
room-to-room. I’m not saying every room
has to be the same light gray or beige color
but priority rooms like the entry, kitchen,
living, and dining room that usually flow
into each other should all have the same
wall color. Grays are still popular but beiges
are starting to trend also.
By not making these three upgrades, you risk the chance of having to lower your asking price. But by investing a small amount in these major, modernizing features, not only will you get your money back, but you’ll be able to substantially increase your list price and for a faster sale.
I can hardly wait for our tax return to come so I can get some beautiful, updated light fixtures. Getting the house spruced up for those graduation parties isn’t really for our guests. It’s for us hosts and I will use any reason to spruce up our home!
Let’s Talk!
Roberta Peters
Birch Hill Interiors
651.500.7650
Twin Cities
Inexpensive Upgrades
Modernizing for Great Returns on Your Investiment
The housing market is revving up again even though it seems we just said good-bye to the holidays. If you plan to list your house in another month or so, now is the time to start prepping.
Very few people build or buy a brand new home just to turn around and sell it shortly afterward. We stay in our houses until we add children to the mix, a job location changes, or the kids grow up and move out. And when we do decide to get a bigger house, move to a different city, or down-size again, what we never noticed before may be a glaring eye-sore to potential buyers.
Let’s talk about three upgrades to modernize a house without breaking the bank.
1. Flooring. My husband and I have a son
graduating from high school this spring so
of course, I’m starting to notice the wear
and tear that seems to have just
appeared on our hardwood floors.
New flooring is a great way to modernize
whether it’s refinishing hardwood,
replacing old vinyl with the popular,
durable, and attractive luxury vinyl planking
and tile, or laying new carpeting. Home Depot,
Lowe’s, or Menard’s all have a good variety
of light fixtures at economical prices.
Many stagers are also able to get whole-sale
pricing for you at specialty vendors.

2. Lighting. We live in an older home that I
think still has some of the original, antiquated
light fixtures in it. Since we have 9 foot ceilings,
I don’t spend much time looking up at
the lights. Until I became a home stager,
I never even considered updating them.
Currently any brass fixture is outdated.
Choose a fixture that not only works with
the style of your home and furnishings
but definitely modernizes the room.
Also consider the size of the space and how
many bulbs are necessary to adequately
light that area. Again, the big-box stores
will be your best value.
3. Painting. Lighter, neutral wall colors make
rooms look bigger and when it’s painted
throughout the house, flow is created from
room-to-room. I’m not saying every room
has to be the same light gray or beige color
but priority rooms like the entry, kitchen,
living, and dining room that usually flow
into each other should all have the same
wall color. Grays are still popular but beiges
are starting to trend also.
By not making these three upgrades, you risk the chance of having to lower your asking price. But by investing a small amount in these major, modernizing features, not only will you get your money back, but you’ll be able to substantially increase your list price and for a faster sale.
I can hardly wait for our tax return to come so I can get some beautiful, updated light fixtures. Getting the house spruced up for those graduation parties isn’t really for our guests. It’s for us hosts and I will use any reason to spruce up our home!
Let’s Talk!
Roberta Peters
Birch Hill Interiors
Twin Cities