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10 Fast Cheap Renovations

By
Home Stager with Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes

Domino Magazine, October 2007, has a great article about Juliette Hohnen, a very talented house flipper, and her latest project.  While this "project" is a Malibu beach house, she does give some tips that can apply to any house, at any price, in any location.  In fact, some of these "renovations" are probably also things we've done as stagers, or asked our clients to do.  Here is an abridged version:

THE TOP 10 MOST COST-EFFECTIVE RENOVATIONS

1.  First impressions are key: repaint the  front door, add new hardware and fresh, seasonal potted plants

2.  Stick to cosmetic changes:  stay away from structural renovations that require permits and architects

3.  Spend money on top-of-the-line appliances:  raise the house's selling power

4.  Bathrooms and kitchens deserve upgrades, not overhauls:  avoid reconfiguring plumbing, add new faucets

5.  Repaint or refinish existing surfaces

6.  Switch out doorknobs, light fixtures and other hardware:  update and unify a house's look

7.  Color and design choices should be simple:  keep a neutral palette and basic style

8.  Opt for off-the-shelf products

9.  Use modest materials in high-design ways:  provides instant impact, such as a zinc sheeting backsplash

   (I love this - we're always trying to make-do with what we're given or come up with no-cost, creative solutions!)

10.  Landscape smartly:  no need for major changes, liven up the views

If you don't already get the magazine, consider subscribing.  Certainly check this article out!  Here is a link to some additional resources from another section in the issue:  http://www.dominomag.com/resources/bigblackbook/renovating

Nestings provides value-added staging services for Fairfield and New Haven Counties, CT.

Comments (5)

Roberta Anderson
Hearth & Home Staging - Silverdale, WA
Hearth & Home Staging, Staging Kitsap County
Great tips. I'm already a subscriber, but I guess I need to actually READ my copy. Does anyone else have a problem with un-opened magazines collecting dust?
Oct 09, 2007 11:43 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
Julia, all great ideas.  Even if sellers don't go for high end appliances, just having new appliances makes a huge difference.
Oct 09, 2007 12:40 PM
Jackie Peraza
Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA
Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Julia - isn't this the best magazine?  I like it so much I forgot I have a subscription and bought it this month as soon as it hit the stands - 2 days later it was in my mail box...grrrr.....

My favorite was "modest materials in high design ways" - love that tip!

Jackie

Oct 09, 2007 04:03 PM
Betty Haney
Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB
Julia thanks for sharing these great tips.  I guess flippers and stagers have a lot in common - trying to get the best bang for the least amount of bucks.  Betty
Oct 09, 2007 04:17 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Terry:  re "high-end appliances" - they really should be high-end for the price point of the house.

Jackie:  This magazine and Elle keep me in touch with the younger buyer.  Of course, so do my fabulous nieces!

Oct 10, 2007 01:32 AM