Home improvements and upgrades sometimes take a backseat when finances are involved. However, there are alternatives. The good news is DIY property owners do not necessarily need to possess professional-level carpentry skills to make meaningful upgrades. With a little DIY elbow grease, handy property owners can implement cost-effective home improvements.
Although kitchens generally see the most foot traffic of any room in the house, staircases seem to sustain significant wear and tear.
Sanding hardwood staircases and restoring them to their original luster requires little money and delivers a significant return on investment. Consider using a belt sander to remove the bulk of any paint or coatings. If you don't already own one, hand-held edging sanders can typically be purchased for less than $100.
Once you have sanded the staircase down to its original wood, consider either staining it to match the decor or applying clear floor-grade polyurethane.
Homeowners will likely need to lay protective matting over the stairs while sanding them because the project usually takes more than one day. Once your relatively low-cost project is complete, luxurious wood stairways improve the ambiance and home value.
The notion of taking down kitchen cabinets and reinstalling them may seem like something only professionals can accomplish. While the process does require at least two people, it may not be as complicated as it appears. Consider following these steps to remove the units safely:
The screws are typically located above the visible top, inside and underneath the cabinet. Carpentry professionals tend to favor removing inside screws followed by the lowest to the highest ones. Once you have removed the cabinets, they can be disassembled, sanded, primed, stained and coated. Follow the removal steps in reverse order to reinstall them.
There are a wide range of inexpensive flooring products and materials the average homeowner can install in one day.
The flooring material homeowners select should match the anticipated use of the mudroom, which may involve hard impacts from foot traffic to tools used outside. It's also reasonable to expect this space will get wet and require routine sweeping. Big box home outlets offer vinyl, engineered wood and other relatively inexpensive homeowner-friendly products to install. It's important to vet the selection for its ability to resist water penetrations, denting, and cracking.
Homeowners on tight budgets may increase the peaceful enjoyment of their living spaces by making low-cost improvements and not worrying about major remodels. It's essential to feel good about being at home in small ways knowing big-ticket upgrades will happen when the time is right.
Terese Ferrara is a long-time resident of the Bay Area and has been a partner with the Goss | Ferrara Real Estate Team. She and her husband raised their two daughters in San Jose, where she successfully continues to build her real estate career.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University, she went on to teach in the San Jose Unified School District for 9 years. Transitioning to real estate was a logical choice, utilizing her patient demeanor to educate all levels of buyers and sellers. Knowledge and experience demonstrate her vested interest in delivering the highest level of care and professionalism to every client. She consistently strives to exceed her client’s expectations throughout the entire real estate transaction and remains a trusted advisor long after each close.
As a board member on KW Bay Area Estates’ Associate Leadership Council (ALC), she aids in support of culture and professional development strategies for over 180 associates. Terese is also a Director for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors Foundation, which supports community service initiatives in Silicon Valley.
Terese is the consummate real estate professional dedicated to providing unparalleled service to her clients through ongoing training and education, keeping her on top of the dynamic market and latest real estate trends. Her high-touch approach coupled with honesty and integrity support her commitment to her client’s real estate needs.
