When you’re flipping a house, the big-ticket renovations and upgrades take up most of your budget, and ultimately, your attention. So much so that you may be leaving out some small upgrades that can make a big difference in the end result.
Forgetting about these small yet worthwhile upgrades is a common mistake that many flippers make. If you don’t want to make the same mistake, here are some of the best small and relatively inexpensive upgrades that you can add to your flip to maximize your ROI, and most importantly, capture the attention of a detail-oriented buyer:
Kitchen upgrades
In a kitchen remodeling project, your biggest upgrades are the kitchen cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. While all of these things effectively increase the quality of the house and enhance its overall appearance, you can make the kitchen, which is often the most frequently used room in the house, even better with these minimal upgrades:
Under-cabinet lighting. LED light strips are inexpensive and very easy to install underneath the kitchen cabinets. Overhead lighting can only do so much to illuminate the countertops under the cabinets, and people can cast a shadow on what they’re doing if the overhead lights are positioned behind them. Under-cabinet lighting can solve this issue and illuminate the space directly underneath the cabinets, making it easier to prepare food on the counters.
Hardware replacements. Cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, faucet handles, and other types of hardware may seem insignificant in the big picture, but they actually make a big difference. That said, updating them can increase the overall quality of the final kitchen.
Self-close cabinet hinges and drawer glides. Noisy kitchen cabinets and drawers can be extremely annoying. And when potential buyers tour a home, they will most likely open the cabinet doors and test out the drawers. Luckily, you can make closing cabinets and drawers silent and smooth with some self-close cabinet hinges and drawer glide; they are available in most hardware stores and won’t take off much of your budget.
Bathroom upgrades
The bathroom is another critical room in the house that buyers spend a lot of time inspecting. To impress your potential buyers and make your renovation look even more high-quality, here are some upgrades that you can include:
New hardware. Similar to the kitchen, replacing the hardware in the bathroom can make a big difference, especially if the existing hardware is outdated. This includes the faucet handles, shower head, doorknobs, cabinet pulls, drawer knobs, towel bars, and even the light fixtures.
Larger mirror. Mirrors can make any room feel larger and brighter. So the bigger the mirror in the bathroom is, the more spacious it will look. You can even take it a step further and install backlighting behind the mirror to give it more of an upscale look.
Water-efficient toilets. Older toilets tend to use more water than necessary with every flush. If the current toilets in the bathrooms are a little outdated, replace them with newer, more water-efficient toilets that cost $200 or less. Aside from improving the overall look of the bathroom, you can boast about the toilet’s green benefit and potential to reduce utility bills to your potential buyers.
Bedroom upgrades
A standard bedroom renovation usually includes a repaint, some new flooring, updated furniture, and upgraded lighting. Why not take it a step further and invest in these small yet value-adding upgrades?
Floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Installing floor-to-ceiling mirrors in a small bedroom can make it look nearly twice as large. Moreover, it can help brighten up the room by reflecting natural light that comes in through the windows.
Stylish headboard. A headboard can make a bedroom look sophisticated, and it only costs around $150 to $200 for a basic one. If you have the skills and tools, you can even make it yourself and save even more money for this worthwhile upgrade.
Shelves. Adding storage space to a bedroom is a great way to impress your potential buyers. Install some shelves over the dresser, the desk, or any other strategic place where the future homeowners can display their books and decor.
These are just some of the best small upgrades that you can include in your flip, you can also consider these other low-budget upgrades:
- New light switch our outlet plates
- Interior shutters
- A water filter
- Refinished doors
- Fresh bathroom caulk
- A backsplash
- Bathroom vent fans
- Ceiling fans
- Low-cost outdoor seating
- A patio umbrella
- New crown molding
- A restained deck
While these upgrades may be on the cheaper side, they can definitely help you maximize your ROI and attract more high-quality buyers to your listing.
