BiggerPockets

Tips On Sprucing Up Your Real Estate Investment Properties

Need to spruce up a recent real estate investment, but don't want to spend a lot of time or money doing it? Here are several quick and easy (and inexpensive) ways improve your fixer-upper.

Paint

A little paint can go a long way when pepping up a home's appearance. A fresh coat of paint can make a home look as good as new. If the paint looks good, you might consider recovering the trim with a semi-gloss paint just to brighten things up a bit. If you do decide to repaint the interior, go with a white or beige color - something that is neutral.

You can also paint kitchen and bathroom cabinets to give them a new and improved look. Use a white semi-gloss paint to cover up stained or extraordinary colored cabinets. A quick coat of paint is less expensive then replacing the cabinets and it can really make them shine. If you want to go all out, purchase some new cabinet handles. Simple round handles can be picked up for 40 cents or more at big name home improvement stores.

Replace Outlet and Light Switch Covers

Resist your desire paint over the old outlet and light switch covers. Instead, purchase new ones and replace them. A new plate costs about 50 cents. If the outlet or switch is broken, you can replace the entire unit for about $2.

Replace the Trim

If the home has wood trim that has seen better days - replace it. Lowes and Home Depot both offer durable "foam" trim that looks just as good as the real deal. You can purchase the trim unfinished or already painted, depending on your needs.

Buy New Doors or Handles

Just like the outlet covers, bite the bullet and replace doors in the home. For about $20 you can replace an old, out of style door with a basic hollow-core door. If you really want to go all out, drop an extra $10 for a more stylish six-panel door. If you don't want to replace the doors, or they don't need replace, improve the door handles instead. New door handles can make a place look less grungy. You can replace old, door handles stained with paint for $10 to $20. If you want to be more reserved, the previous will buy you a traditional brass finished handle. The more expensive handle will yield the popular "s" handle that you often see on bathroom and bedroom doors.

Speaking of doors, replacing the front door of your home is a good way to make the appearance of a home brighter. For about $130 you buy a nice, heavy door. If you don't want to replace it, or if the door is structurally sound. Try painting it with high-gloss paint. Use a courageous color, like red or green, which makes the door "pop" when you look at the house.

Buy a New Mailbox

For about $30 you can replace your property's mailbox. If you really want to make a statement, buy something unlike anyone else's on the street. You can get a nice, colorful box for about $40. Add another $60 to your investment and you can get a good, study post to plant your new mailbox on.

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