Spruce up your home with these quick tips

By John Adams

For the AJC

Maybe I’ve been watching too many “reality house-fixer” shows, but it seems like all those folks have unlimited budgets and unlimited time, and for some of us, it’s just not like that. You can easily spend $15,000 to $20,000 on things like re-plumbing and rewiring and end up living in the same house you had before you spent the money.

Here are three ideas that are quick and easy, and you can do them yourself. These are also the first things I would do if I were trying to get ready to sell any house, so here goes:

1. Paint everything in sight. Take down dated wallpaper and try to choose lighter colors. They make the rooms appear larger.

The odor and look of fresh paint is undeniably associated in our brains with the concept of clean. And that’s a great way to start your makeover. You can take on the task yourself or hire someone.

While painting a whole house by yourself can be a large project, you can break it into smaller pieces, maybe one room at a time. The smell of fresh paint is a real morale booster among buyers.

2. Clean the carpets throughout the house. If you have hardwood floors, get them cleaned and waxed.

No, it’s not quite the same as new, but the cost to have this maintenance done is likely less than a couple of hundred bucks. Again, you’ll see immediate improvement in the floor covering you have, and the results are gratifying.

Yes, you can rent a unit from the hardware store for $50, but it’s backbreaking work, and the truck-mounted equipment seems to provide the best results.

One hint: Ignore offers of upgrades like a layer of protective chemical for just another hundred bucks.

3. Wash all your windows, inside and out. Over the years, windows get dirty, and block out some of the light that should be coming into your house. And it’s just that light that makes you feel that a room is “bright and cheerful.” You’ll notice a difference right away.

These suggestions won’t solve systemic shortcomings in your house. But they will make it more pleasant to live in and more attractive to any visitor, whether a prospective buyer or not.

John Adams is an author, broadcaster and investor. He answers real estate questions at noon every Saturday on WGKA (AM 920).