"Sometimes, it takes a certain eye to see a smart little cottage where others see a stucco teardown." says Jill Connors for This Old House.    With all the foreclosed and distressed properties on the market, you might need to look a little deeper than the faded exterior and unkempt lawn.

Remember to think about that old REALTORS® adage of location, location, location when looking at a home.  As long as the neighborhood is a good one, all the house might need is a few upgrades to make it the perfect home for you.

Connors offers these thoughts about what to consider upgrading:

• Reimagine the Façade: This could include a new type of exterior or fresh paint and even new windows or entryway.

• Kitchen Update:  This is the most regularly used room in the house and should be given your full attention.  New hardware, a fresh coat of paint and new counters can add a lot without a lot of money. If possible, simply opening the kitchen to a family room area can give a feeling of more space.

• Interior Updates:  Fresh paint, molding and flooring.  This is a great thing to take care of, before you move in. 

• Extend the Outdoor Living Space:  Consider adding a deck, a grilling area or garden.  Perhaps consider adding French doors to the new area.

• Upgrade the Garage:  A new garage door upgrades the exterior and adds security and insulation as well.  Leave this to a professional. This is a good time to add a fresh coat of paint and shop your local home store for organizational storage.

Consider whether you can do some of the repairs yourself or if you need a professional to do it.  Your local home center probably offers no-cost classes in how to do just about anything, so, if you are so inclined, this might be a great way to upgrade the home on a budget.

Read more about How to Upgrade Your Home on a Budget at This Old House.

Posted in Buyer Resources, Real Estate Trends, Real Estate Market Conditions

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