Inexpensive Fixes to Sell a Troubled Home

Selling a troubled home can be a challenging task, especially when it is in need of so many repairs or renovations before it can be sold. Fortunately, with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can make inexpensive fixes that can increase the appeal of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers and increasing the chances of a quick sale.

The first step to getting started on your low-cost repairs is identifying what needs to be done. You may find that some areas of your home just need minor touchups like painting or landscaping work while others may require bigger projects such as replacing windows or fixing damaged flooring. Once you’ve identified the problem areas and estimated costs for each repair job, you can determine which fixes are essential and which ones would just be nice extras. 

Here are some of the most visually effective and cost-effective fixes to sell a troubled home.

Clean and Declutter

Messiness and clutter are two of the biggest turn-offs for potential buyers. A clean, decluttered home will give a much better impression to prospective buyers, and make it easier for them to imagine themselves living in the space. 

The best part is, cleaning up around the house doesn’t have to cost you a thing. There’s no need to hire a professional organizer, interior designer, or Marie Kondo to “spark joy”. By sorting through your things, you can easily reduce clutter and tidy up your living space to create a more pleasing look for free. 

Once you’ve reorganized your space, clean all surfaces, including countertops, floors, and bathrooms. Donate or throw away items you no longer need, and remove any clutter from countertops and floors. Use bins and baskets to hold household items that tend to clutter up flat surfaces, and display only a few decorative items at a time. 

Paint

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a troubled home and is one of the most inexpensive fixes a homeowner can do. Painting is an easy and affordable way to refresh the interior or exterior of your house. 

You can use color to “transform” a room. Neutral colors, such as beige or white, are best for selling a home as they appeal to a wider range of buyers. Painting the walls and window trim (including molding) a bright neutral color in a room that feels small, dark, or outdated, can breathe new life into the space, giving it an instantly more open and brighter feeling. 

Before you start, be sure to choose high-quality paint and hire a professional for the job if you’re not confident in your own painting skills. Not only will it cost less in the long run, but it also ensures that the job is done right.

High-end paints are designed to cover better than cheaper brands and last longer, meaning they won’t have to be applied as often. This will save you from having to purchase enough paint for several coats. Professional painters have plenty of experience and can apply the paint evenly with no streaks or brush strokes, which makes all the difference when it comes to getting a quality finish.

Update Light Fixtures

Updating light fixtures is an inexpensive way to give your home a new look. You can find many affordable light fixtures at home improvement stores or online. This simple change can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your home.

Light fixtures come in many shapes and sizes, so it’s easy to find one that suits your space. Changing out outdated or mismatched lighting is an easy way to brighten up any room. Whether you choose something traditional like pendant lights or something more modern like wall sconces, updating the light fixtures in your home will give it a completely refreshed look without breaking the bank. 

You don’t have to go all out with expensive lighting either – there are plenty of affordable options available to suit any budget. Also consider replacing dirty or mismatched lightbulbs which can also help unify a space. 

How to Tone Match Lighting

The “tone” of a light bulb refers to the color temperature, which is measured in Kelvins (K). The color temperature of a light bulb can affect the overall ambiance of a room and impact how objects appear to the human eye.

To determine the tone of a light bulb, look at the label or packaging. It should indicate the color temperature in Kelvins (K). Here’s a general guide to help you understand the different tones:

• 2700K-3000K: Warm white, a soft, cozy light often used in bedrooms and living rooms
• 3500K-4100K: Neutral white, a versatile light that works well in many rooms
• 5000K-6500K: Cool white, a bright light that is often used in bathrooms and kitchens

If you’re trying to match the tone of an existing light bulb, simply look for the Kelvins rating on the old bulb and look for the same rating when purchasing a replacement. If the old bulb doesn’t have the rating, you may need to take it with you to the store to match it to a new bulb.

Landscaping

Having a well-manicured yard can be the key to making a troubled home look more appealing. A few simple, inexpensive fixes can go a long way in sprucing up the exterior of your property. Here are some tips on how to increase your curb appeal for potential buyers by landscaping without breaking the bank. 

• Begin by mowing and edging your lawn regularly. This will make it look freshly manicured, eliminating any dead grass and overgrown areas that may have gone unnoticed previously. 
• Trim all hedges and shrubbery so that they’re neat and uniform in height.
• Add some color with seasonal flowers or plants along walkways or beds around the perimeter of your home.

If you don’t have the time or expertise to do the landscaping yourself, consider hiring a professional landscaper. Be sure to compare quotes to ensure you’re getting the best price for the work you hire them for. 

Repair and Replace

Address any repairs or replacements that are needed, such as leaky faucets, broken windows, or damaged flooring. These simple fixes can go a long way in making your home more appealing to potential buyers. Fom replacing old fixtures to improving insulation and sealing air leaks, homeowners have plenty of low-cost options for updating their homes. Many of these small changes require minimal time and labor investment while still adding significant aesthetic or energy efficiency improvements. Additionally, some simple replacements such as changing out worn countertops or cabinet doors can make a huge difference in the look and feel of any room. And with many DIY repair options available at local home stores, you don’t need to hire an expensive contractor for basic tasks like caulking windows or patching holes in walls.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, selling a troubled home doesn’t have to be a difficult or expensive process. With these inexpensive fixes, you can improve the appearance and value of your property, making it more appealing to potential buyers and increasing the chances of a quick sale. Don’t let the condition of your home hold you back from selling it – take the time to make these simple improvements, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful sale.

Are These Inexpensive Fixes Too Much Trouble?

If your goal is to sell your troubled home fast, having to deal with making all of these little fixes here and there may sound like too much effort. Fortunately, there are other solutions to selling a troubled home besides fixing it up for sale. For those who don’t want to put in the time and effort, there is another option: selling your home for cash to a local investor. This method eliminates the hassle of repairs, inspections and showings; plus, you can get the money fast. 

Selling your home for cash is easy enough – all you have to do is find an experienced investor (i.e. Revitalize Homebuyers) who will look at the property and give you an offer quickly. They understand that sellers want cash fast with no hassle or complicated paperwork involved. Furthermore, they often purchase homes “as-is” and provide funding without requiring bank approval or any additional fees. This makes it easier than ever to receive cash without dealing with costly repairs and lengthy negotiations with buyers (and dealing with hiring a realtor!)

To learn more about this alternative solution, give us a call at 251-607-1664 to discuss your options and how we can save you the hassle of making inexpensive fixes to sell a troubled home.