Financial Blog

One of the best things about a home as a tangible investment is the control you have over it. Because you’re not bound by developer restrictions like with condos, you can pretty much do anything. You can put it up for lease, improve its resale value, use it for Airbnb, or just breathe new life into it.

Read more: 7 Ways to Ensure Your Land Title is Real and Clean

Contrary to popular belief, increasing your home’s value can be done with a just few tweaks; it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to do it. Whether you’re selling it or just maintaining it, here are some ways to give your home a facelift without breaking the bank.

Giving your home a new paint job is like dressing it up with brand new clothes; think of Valentino suits over your old hand-me downs. Yes, a new coat of paint can do wonders. Not only does it give a fresh vibe, it also covers up cracks and discoloration that have accumulated over the years.

If you don’t want to shell out cash for painting services, you can also do it on your own. Change pantones or apply new colors using various wall painting techniques like combination, glazing, or faux painting. Your options are countless!

Tip: Some eco-friendly paint products have been developed to absorb and filter the air. You might want to try them out to not only get a new look, but better ventilation as well.

First impressions last, and often, it begins from the outside. Any self-respecting real estate agent will tell you that one of the keys in reselling your home is to make sure it has “curb appeal.” In layman’s terms, this is simply the attractiveness of a property and its surroundings when viewed from the street.

There are many ways to do this: frame your door, install porch lights, plant flowers, or improve the landscape of your yard. You can also play around with light fixtures like garden lights to make it more polished.

Storage is your lifesaver when things get cluttered. Whether your space is small or not, you’re bound to bring home new stuff every now and then. If you’re items start piling up so much that they’re spilling over to your living room or kitchen, then it’s time to consider expanding storage space.

You don’t have to rebuild the entire house to install more storage. Just be imaginative and resourceful. If you have an old, unused room somewhere in the house, you can convert that to a makeshift cabinet. Install built-in shelves, extend a wall to fit a walk-in closet, or have an armoire.

Now, expanding storage can only can get you so far. To clear up some space, you can hold a garage sale and turn your old stuff into cash that can go towards your renovation efforts.

Never underestimate the benefits of good lighting. There’s a reason why photographers emphasize the need for good lighting when doing shoots. It’s because good lighting can accentuate the good angles of your space and hide flaws.

As a lighting centerpiece, you can place antique fixtures with pendant lightings or an eye-catching chandelier. For wall lighting, you can opt for USB-powered strip lights that can complement the overall mood and color-palette of your space. If all else fails, you can check home depot stores for low-cost artisan lighting fixtures.

Admit it, flooring is often forgotten. It’s probably the last thing that comes to mind when you think about a home upgrade since maintaining it can be costly. But that doesn’t mean it should be left ignored.

Laminate your flooring, mix and match carpet tiles, or select and roll up rugs. Hardwood floors can also be quite the eye-catcher. Just apply a thin layer of varnish or wood stain to make it look new again.

Need some cash to renovate your home? You can apply for a Security Bank Home Improvement Loan to give your home the makeover it deserves.