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70 interesting casings throughout the home. Using repurposed wood for a new fireplace mantle or even giving brick fireplaces a German smear, or whitewash, can help give the home a facelift at a lower cost. PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAIL e easiest and most cost-effective improvements can be the minor repairs a home typically needs after it has been lived in for a while. Even if the home is only a few years old, a deep clean on all appliances, cabinets, and countertops can be conducive to making buyers feel this home is theirs from the moment they walk in. ese items can be as simple as new toilets (or just toilet seats) with clean, matching bathroom fixtures, or even grouting and re- caulking all wet areas for a newer feel. Adding a few dimmer switches throughout have a low cost while adding an upscale ambience. ese small repairs combined with matching outlets, switches, and cover plates or caulking the windows throughout, shows the buyer the house is fully move-in ready, and they do not have to worry about these before they even unload their furniture. Additionally, updating the doorknobs and hinges to match throughout the property gives the home a finished and polished feel, especially when using desired finishes such as brushed nickel. When replacing light fixtures, use energy efficient products that have "provable" cost values are important to buyers in today's market. ese items would include LED light bulbs and water saving shower heads. Making properties green through renovation can be key in marketing while also updating the home to feel light and bright. LOOKING LONG-TERM Buyers are also interested in seeing the repairs completed for items that are long-term. is includes appliances, roofing, HVAC, and potentially old fixtures throughout. If a roof or HVAC unit is within a year of its useful life, it may be worth replacing even if that is the only repair completed prior to selling the home. ese are a few major repair items the buyer will not want to dish money out for only a year after purchasing the home. ese also tend to be the repairs buyers are less capable of following on HGTV and completing a DIY project, so the reduced maintenance could be a big seller on an older home with bigger ticket items. If these items need to be replaced and are not, the buyer will usually want a credit to be able to complete these repairs once they own the property. e largest focus in most home renovations is the kitchen, and almost any homeowner will tell you they spend an incredible amount of time in this space, so having it be functional, beautiful, and cost-effective is a high priority for many home buyers. Kitchens are typically the most expensive room in the home to renovate with high ticket items such as cabinetry, countertops, and appliances. With the high cost of buying a home in the current market, most buyers are looking for a brand new, sleek kitchen to include white shaker style cabinets and a complimentary granite. However, if the cabinets are in good condition and only outdated, sanding and painting the cabinetry to the desired white color cuts huge costs as opposed to just replacing the cabinets. While this option is more labor-intensive, the price still comes in much lower than that of a complete new set. Continue refreshing the kitchen with new hardware for a finished look to the newly painted cabinets. If it is necessary to replace the cabinetry, consider adding a subway tile backsplash and floating shelves to save on the cost of upper cabinets. Homeowners can tastefully display their matching dinner sets on these shelves, while also adding personal touches to make the home their own. For the countertops, granite may be expected, but renovators could surprise buyers with a quartz or synthetic stone material. More great options include using a "butcher block" or a concrete countertop—even if just for the kitchen island to give the home a more unique feel. Replacing these worn out surfaces is typically very appealing to a buyer for the home to feel brand new. Flooring can easily make or break a living space. While the flooring doesn't have to be unique, most homes with regular linoleum or sheet vinyl flooring have a feel of being older, Even if the home is only a few years old, a deep clean on all appliances, cabinets, and countertops can be conducive to making buyers feel this home is theirs from the moment they walk in.