Everyone wants to make as much as they can from their home sale! With that in mind, here are many DIY projects that cost under $500 which can help add a substantial ROI and increase the final sale price of your house!
Add a New Backsplash To Your Kitchen
This project’s a relatively easy one, as long as you feel you can measure competently and aren’t afraid to use a hammer to get old tiles off. Your main mantra should be “measure twice.” But how to make your project come in under $500? Use subway tiles, which never go out of style and are one of the most budget-friendly tile options out there. In addition to sealer, grout, and thinset, you’ll need to rent a tile cutter… or, ask your local hardware store to pre-cut some tiles for you. Even easier — and cheaper? Stick-on embossed metal tiles, which look more antique, and can give your kitchen a southern-rustic feel.
Replace Your Old Countertops With Butcher Block
Everyone wants granite countertops, these days. But granite and comparable materials are expensive, and so heavy that they’re almost impossible to install for DIYers. But if your kitchen has an old countertop, there IS one cost-effective upgrade you can make for cheap. Basic butcher-block countertops can immediately dress up your kitchen with a luxury feel, and add a nice ROI over their cost. IKEA has some of the lowest prices out there on basic butcher block, starting at $169 for a 98-inch counter.
Use an Area Rug
A large, neutral sisal rug can cover a multitude of floor sins, from inexpertly laid tile to hardwood floors that need to be refinished. You’ll want to buy the biggest size you can find, so it covers nearly the entire floor. You’ll need to disclose the problems at selling, of course, but allowing a potential buyer to see that you can hide imperfections gives them the confidence to do the same.
Paint Your Old Fireplace
There are some places exposed, natural brick looks fantastic. But it’s not right for every home. A fresh coat of white or neutral paint can completely rescue a dark and dreary fireplace. You should expect to put in a full day’s worth of elbow grease to scrub the surface clean, as years of soot can prevent paint from properly adhering. When it’s time to paint, I recommend using a roller with a longer nap that can get into the crevices of bricks, and help apply paint thickly and evenly.
Make Faux Built-Ins
A wall of bookshelves create a handsome library feel while adding architectural interest. For a more budget-friendly execution, buy premade bookshelves and trim them out with molding for a custom look. For a small wall, you can do this project for under $400 thanks to a few identical IKEA bookcases, some baseboard, crown molding, paint, and an afternoon.
