Owning a home is a work in progress – there’s always something to fix, maintain or replace. And if you don’t stay on top of it, your to-do list can grow quickly.
Property is the most significant investment in most people’s lives, and so it really pays to keep it in great shape.
As an experienced local real estate agent, I can tell the difference between a property that has been beautifully maintained over time and one that’s been made ready for sale quickly and cheaply.
If maintenance work banks up, it can quickly become overwhelming, and most owners will push it to the back of their minds. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Below are a few pointers to help you maintain and improve your home with small-scale tasks that are cheap yet will have a significant impact on your enjoyment of the property.
Make a list – Walk around the property and make a note of all the jobs – big and small – that need doing. Decide which ones you’re prepared to undertake and those that require a contractor. Set yourself a reward for getting through the list. But please don’t add to your list once it’s complete. There’s nothing more demoralizing than a never-ending list!
Put tasks in your calendar – Make a time commitment to complete each DIY job. This way, you can organize the rest of your life. This takes some discipline, but having self-imposed deadlines can give you a sense of order and help you prioritize.
Now, here are a handful of cheap yet high-impact jobs that you can take on without trashing your weekends.
- Repaint the front door – First impressions count. Give the front door a fresh lick of gloss paint, as well as a new handle. Maybe you can include your street number, too. It’s fashionable to use primary colors or even black to make a real statement.
- Let there be light – New lighting fixtures can transform a room. And if you do it throughout the home, you’ll be amazed at the impact. Of course, most quality fixtures will need to be installed by an electrician. For your bathroom, put in infrared lights as they will act as a heater, too.
- Zap those dark corners – All homes have dark corners, and the ideal remedy is a skylight. It’s best if you get these professionally installed as making a mess of your roof could end up being even more expensive. Alternatively, invest in some smart lamps to make a statement.
- Don’t be left on the shelf – At some point, you’re likely to put your home on the market and move up the property ladder. And great storage is always on the wish list of prospective buyers. So, get ahead of the game and install shelving in the kitchen, bathroom and even the bedrooms.
- Go for a declutter – With your new shelves firmly attached to the walls, spend a couple of hours going through your home, tidying away various items and discarding those that you never use. Perhaps you can give some of the possessions to friends, neighbors or charity. Decluttering feels good and creates additional living space.
- Update your drapes – This is such a simple task and makes a significant impact. Perhaps you’re tired of drapes and would prefer modern blinds. The variety of styles and pricing is enormous, of course. You can go high-end and have them professionally installed, or pop down to the store and do this task yourself at a fraction of the cost.
- Be cool, go green – In these environmentally conscious times, potted plants and terrariums in the home are the height of fashion. If you want to impress, consider building a wall-garden of herbs near your kitchen door. Buy pre-made boxes and wall pockets to reduce the time you spend on this task.
- Kitchen capers – A more expensive project is the replacement of cabinet and drawer doors. It will transform your home. Order the pre-made doors and then install them and add new, modern handles to complete the look.
- Pave your way – If your paths look dirty, there are two ways to go. First, hire a pressure hose and clean them with an anti-fungal wash. You’ll be amazed at how they come up. If more drastic action is needed, then lay new pavers. That’s a solid weekend task, but you won’t regret it.