Spring Real Estate Makeovers: Clean, Stage, or Renovate
By Paul Esajian on February 26, 2016
Spring is almost here. So what’s the best way to tackle your home; clean, stage, or renovate?
It’s that time of year when homeowners and renters get restless. Some will seize the opportunity to move, while others will settle for making over their existing spaces. Either way that may require some organizing, clearing out, or sprucing up. So what’s the best strategy? A thorough spring cleaning, an interior design makeover, or major rehab?
Know Your Goals & Make a Plan
Ensure the outcome you really want by taking a minute to define your real goals and make a budget and plan.
What is it that you really want to get out of your home makeover? Is it a trendy new interior that will look great on Google Hangouts while working from home and recording your podcasts and YouTube videos? Is it a classier space to entertain guests? Do you crave more space or a new ambience? Are there ways you can make your home more productive in optimizing your life? Or is it to keep the family happy? In which case, what is most important to them?
Ask how long you might stay there? Or are you making over the place to boost its value or appeal for a sale, or as a rental unit?
What’s the budget? What’s your timeline? What needs to be tackled first?
The Annual Spring Clean
Regardless of whether you plan to stay or sell this is a great time to have a serious clean. It will make it easier to clean later, keep your space healthier, make it more appealing, and give you a lot of mental peace.
In many cases all many might need is a serious spring clean. And it’s the starting point for any other projects. It helps create a clean canvas, and hosting a yard sale with unused or outdated items may generate the cash to cover part of a remodel or move.
A major clean isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, or the best use of everyone’s time. That’s okay. Hire a pro cleaning team to give your spouse a break and do it well, or put the kids to work during spring break. Be tough, be thorough.
Not that this is also a great time to take care of any deferred property maintenance. Change air filters, give the pool a serious clean, empty the gutters, brighten the grout, and trim the trees.
Home Staging & Cosmetic Makeovers
If you are a renter, you plan to sell the place, or simply don’t know how soon you’ll move; an interior design and cosmetic exterior makeover might be smartest strategy. Only invest in items which you can take with you. For example; new furniture, wall art, potted plants, new cabinet hardware, and moveable outdoor furniture, and a good dose of trendy accessories.
If you’ve been renting in the same place for a while it’s always worth asking your landlord for a small budget to spruce up other items you can’t take with you. Odds are they’ll have to do it sooner or later anyway. If you are willing to put in some sweat then they may be even more inclined to help. For example; changing lighting and bathroom fixtures, putting up new ceiling fans, interior and exterior paint, adding a new kitchen backsplash, etc.
Look for upcoming sales days and get more out of your budget. You may even find local artists looking to make a name for themselves, of small businesses closing down which can be a great source of deals.
Renovate
Sometimes the existing space just doesn’t work. It may be far too out dated, too small for your family or those looking in the area, or it may need a more substantial makeover to sell quickly. Start by assessing your real needs, and know your timelines, and recognize the difference between home improvements for personal enjoyment, visual appeal and attracting potential buyers, versus value add improvements that will make a difference on an appraisal. For example; does it make more sense to get a portable shed to use as an office or storage space than to try building on more square footage? Could a sunroom be cheaper and more enjoyable than converting the garage? Could finishing the attic or basement be the solution?
Move
The current market is also ripe for moving. With the season changing it may be the optimal moment to lock in a new deal on a long term lease. Owners and buyers could find this the perfect moment to cash out of old homes, and move up while rates are low.
What will you do?