During these trying economic times, the housing market is at a virtual standstill. Many homeowners are forced to ‘stay put’ and are making their homes work for their situations. We realize this too costs money! So, instead of trying lavish makeovers, take a look at a few ideas BidaBuilder.com has that give you the most bang for your buck!

Freshen up your kitchen

This particular face lift is great for those trying to sell in a bad housing market. The kitchen is the most important room in the house. It is where everyone congregates from family gatherings to homework at the table. A mini-upgrade is a cost effective way to improve your home and get a return on your investment while waiting for a buyer.

Everyone wants stainless steel, cherry wood and commercial size Viking ranges, right? NO! You can do something as simple as re-facing your existing cabinets for instant gratification. Keep the framework and replace the doors to save at least ¼ the cost of a full replacement. Still to expensive? Consider staining your existing doors a new shade and spruce up your hardware to obtain a fresh look for next to nothing.

If you’d like to do a little more than cabinets, try to stay within the layout of your current kitchen. A remodel including new cabinet fronts, drywall, sink, counters, paint, flooring, lighting, and appliances can be obtained for a reasonable cost. If you start moving walls and replacing the entire cabinet system the cost could almost double.

Place your kitchen project on BidABuilder.com for a quote for one of our qualified contractors!

Everyone loves a great bathroom

Guess what? You can do the same thing to your bathroom! Rather than gut everything and start fresh, try working with what you already have to save a few dollars. Make an appointment with a BidABuilder.com prescreened, approved contractor to start your planning!

A popular way to achieve impressive results for pennies is tub resurfacing. For a fraction of the cost to replace, you can have a brand new color and change the entire scheme of the room. If you like a warm relaxing feel, try a nice shade of taupe, install natural stone countertops, faux finish the walls and add some new fixtures. The final touch is inexpensive greenery for a soothing feel. A few tropical plants can change the tone of the room for just a few dollars.

If your budget is still too tight, a fresh coat of paint, towel bars, hardware and lighting can make a significant change to a worn out bathroom. Use your imagination! Try different hues for different effects. Blues and greens tend to have a cool, fresh feeling, while deep earth tones give a warm, relaxed feel. If you’re lacking in the imagination department these days, BidABuilder.com has interior designers to help you with that too! Don’t forget the plants!

Get new windows

New windows will not only improve the look of your home, they can cut your energy costs in half! Over time, your new windows will pay for themselves, and if you don’t plan on staying long, most homeowners redeem about 80% of their investment when the home is sold.

Depending on the kind of windows you select, you can change the whole look of your home. If your budget allows, significant change can be accomplished by changing sliding glass doors to French doors.

In addition to style, there are different materials to consider as well. For example, if you like to change the exterior look of your home, a paintable material such as fiberglass or composite might be the best choice for you. Not into maintenance? Maybe vinyl is the answer to your prayers!
Regardless of style or material, you can’t go wrong with updating windows.
Pressure washing makes all the difference

If the change you are looking for is exterior, something as simple as a good pressure washing can make your home appear years younger.
Mold and dirt build up over time and can make your home appear dull, even dingy. Since it’s a gradual process, you may not even realize when you are due for a good cleaning. BidABuilder.com has a database of qualified professionals that can come out to your home to estimate cost and complete the project.
Roofs are big offenders when it comes to collecting mold and dirt over time. But don’t forget the exterior walls and trim too! A good cleaning will freshen up the color and brighten your white trim. For minimal cost, a major effect is accomplished.

If you have a porch, patio or pool decking, pressure washing the surfaces can not only improve the look, it will keep your interior spaces cleaner as well since no dirt will be tracked into the house.
Driveways count too! Get rid of those old stains on your driveways and walkways. It makes all the difference, especially if you are trying to sell. Purchasing a home is one of the most important decisions one will make in his or her lifetime. Everyone wants to be comfortable when considering a new home and cleanliness will let your potential buyers know you cared for the home while it was yours.

About the Author

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                                                                                           GENE MOCK ~ MAKING IT EASY!

If you are looking for log homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further. My website is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search. Aiken SC offers something for everyone! Log Homes, Golf & Gated Communities, Equestrian with houses and building lots for sale, Condos & Townhouses, Patio Homes, Commercial Properties, Development Land, Horse Property, Historic & Luxury Estates, Downtown cottages, Polo properties... all this and more are for sale in Aiken County, South Carolina. Have you heard about Woodside Plantation and The Reserve at Woodside? A popular gated community in Aiken. No matter what your dream…. Log homes, condos, town homes, cottages, horse farms, golf property, lots, land, investments… you can find it, right here, in Aiken South Carolina. Start searching for your next Aiken SC properties today. Some of the best South Carolina Golf Communities are located in Aiken County South Carolina. Build your dream South Carolina Log Home.  For listings in Aiken - all areas: Rural, SE, NE, NW, SW - start your search right here. Looking for a golf course house? Are you investing for your future? Real Estate in Aiken can't be beat! Your one stop place for Aiken County Real Estate. Search the entire Aiken MLS right here! Find your Aiken realty today. Call Gene today for your Aiken SC Real Estate needs. Gene Mock, Realtor. Gene is a member of The National Association of Realtors, South Carolina Association of Realtors, and Aiken Board of Realtors.

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