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7 Budget-Friendly Bathroom Redo Tips

Monday, March 21, 2022

by Scott Darling

According to HomeAdvisor.com, the average bathroom remodel costs about $10,000! When yours is crying out for help but the money for a complete overhaul is not in the budget, there are plenty of options that are easy on the wallet. Find some inexpensive inspiration in the following tips:

- Something as simple as updating your light fixture can be a huge improvement. Whether you buy brand new at your local home store or a good-as-new used piece, this is an easy DIY. Call a reputable electrician if you choose to add lighting or move the current connection.
- Add style to a plain mounted mirror with a frame! Framing kits come with everything you need for this quick update and are available at home centers and online for less than $100.

- Old linoleum that is in good condition can be covered with adhesive-backed vinyl tile or painted with porch paint. Create a custom look by using a stencil. Supplies may cost a bit more than other paint jobs, but it beats the expense of replacing the flooring.
- Are the walls covered in thirty-year-old wallpaper? The easiest fix for that is to paint over it! Benjamin MooreⓇ suggests you start by sealing any peeling spots with adhesive and applying clear caulking where wallpaper meets the ceiling or the floor. Save time by using paint with built-in primer, and paint as you would any other wall surface.
- A new faucet is a quick way to update the sink. Confident do-it-yourselfers can switch the old with the new with help from this step-by-step video how-to for faucet installation from Home Depot.
The most inexpensive update for the cabinet would be paint and new hardware. Even laminate countertops can be painted or tiled for a fresh look.
- If your budget is tight, just the purchase of a new shower curtain, window treatment, inexpensive framed prints, and one nice coordinating towel set can make a huge improvement to a dated bathroom.

Having several remodeling jobs on the to-do list usually means beginning with the most affordable projects. Making budget-friendly bathroom updates will help ease the urgency of needing a full renovation. Save yourself stress and money by holding out just a little longer, and when it’s time, you’ll have the perfect bathroom!

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: Simple Made Pretty

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for February 2022

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for February 2022

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales decrease by -3.4% in February 2022 when compared to February 2021. 355 homes sold in February with a median sales price of $445,682. The average days on the market fell by 7 days. If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More.

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Spring Cleaning Tips!

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

by Scott Darling

It is almost that time of year again--time to throw the windows open and start washing, scrubbing, sweeping almost every room in our homes. Deep cleaning some items is necessary not only for the sake of cleanliness, but to keep our homes looking great. Add these to your list:

- Your kitchen cabinets/pantry should be emptied and wiped down, and while you are at it, check your spices! McCormickⓇ reports that whole spices last 3-4 years, 2-3 years for ground spices, and herbs have a shorter life of 1-3 years. Check their expiration dates and toss or keep.
- If you do not regularly clean your oven because of the fumes, mix enough baking soda and water to create a paste. Cover the interior with the paste and allow to sit overnight. Use a plastic scraper to remove the paste and grime, and wipe with a damp cloth.
- Carefully move the kitchen appliances and sweep or vacuum the dust bunnies and dirt, then mop with a hot water/vinegar combination to wipe away build-up dirt and grime.

- Bathroom exhaust fans can collect dust like ceiling fans, so give them a good cleaning to keep the humid air from causing mold or mildew to grow. Today’s Homeowner has step-by-step instructions for getting your fan clean and running efficiently.
- While the bathroom is getting its spring clean, place hairbrushes and combs in the sink and get them clean. Makeup brushes should be soaked, given a lather, then rinsed in cool water and allow to air-dry.
- Vacuum both sides of mattresses and prop them in the sunlight for a few hours if possible. The sun’s rays freshen them, and sunlight can help kill some germs. When you replace them on the beds, make sure the mattress is flipped and rotated from its original position.
- Walls collect dust and dirt as well! Remove dust and cobwebs with an extended duster, then use a flathead mop to wipe away dirt. Different wall treatments require different cleaning methods to protect them and bring them back to almost new.
- Curtains and blinds collect a lot of dust but are usually washable, so check the manufacturer’s information before you toss them in the washer or clean them.

- Once your deep clean is complete, take care to wash or clean brooms, mop heads, and dusters, as this simple move will help your home stay fresher as you do your regular cleaning.

Never consider spring cleaning a monumental task! Spread it out over a few days or weekends, making lists to stay organized and the job will not overwhelm you. Getting the entire family involved will help things go faster, too! Once everything is gleaming, you can enjoy the coming months more, knowing your home is clean, and the job is done for another year.

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: Everyday Cheapskate

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7 Easy and Affordable Home Improvements

Friday, March 4, 2022

by Scott Darling

It is not necessary to completely overhaul every bathroom in your home, remodel the kitchen. or put down new flooring to give your tired home a boost. Small, affordable improvements can get big results.

- Decluttering every space in your home is probably the first place to start. Getting organized is one of the best and simplest ways to improve your home’s look. Selling items on social media marketplaces or having a yard sale will also put money in your pockets for an added benefit!
- A quick and easy fix-up for your interior is paint! Not only is it inexpensive, but it is also an easy DIY when you tackle one room per weekend.
- After painting, why not add some crown molding? Purchase plaster-coated foam molding that can be cut with a handsaw and put into place with joint compound.

- Spruce up your mudroom, kitchen, or bathroom floors with self-stick tiles. This type of vinyl flooring comes in many styles and colors, and you can create a pattern for some added style.
- Simple kitchen updates can make a big difference: a countertop makeover, new hardware for cabinets and drawer pulls, peel-and-stick backsplash installation, or new paint on the cabinetry.
- While costing a bit more, if your bathroom needs a boost, ready-made sink cabinetry, prefab tub/shower kits, or tub refinishing kits can be purchased at a local home store or online for thousands less than hiring a pro.
- If a total exterior paint job is not in the budget, give the house a thorough pressure-washing and paint the shutters and front door. Brightening the landscaping with fresh mulch and seasonal annuals in containers are other dollar-saving ways to give the outside an update.

Homeownership can be expensive, but your desire to make updates do not have to be. If you are thinking of putting your house on the market soon, even the smallest improvements can make your home “show” better and sell faster. Add some sweat equity, follow directions exactly, and many jobs can be done on your own. Either way, you will benefit from the fresh, new look!

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: This Old House

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Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4