Many people believe house flips need to be complicated and cost thousands of dollars, and while some houses will naturally need a bit more care, there are a couple of painless projects that will instantly boost your flip house’s value. Over the years, Tarek and I have found that these projects have made the most of our budget and they always have a huge impact on the value of every house that we rehab. Here are five of the remodeling projects that we recommend for your next house flip.
1. Switch Out the Front Door
Chances are the front door on your flip house has likely seen better days (we know this is the case with most of our flips!). Whether the door has a few scuffs and scratches or the paint is starting to chip and peel, replacing the front door with a brand new one will bring new life to the house and will be a welcome sight to potential buyers. Plus, a new door will be a huge energy saver as it will fit and insulate better than the old one.
2. Replace the Siding
Siding can often be easily overlooked when you are rehabbing a house, but it is an essential part of a home’s exterior. With so many options, it can feel rather overwhelming when it comes to choosing siding, so we recommend selecting a high-quality type (such as vinyl or fiber-cement) that is right for your budget as well as the style that you are trying to achieve for your flip house.
3. Upgrade the Kitchen Appliances
Whether your buyers use it to cook, eat, or hang out, the kitchen is a huge selling point for any house. If your flip has appliances over 10 years old, replace them. Consider investing a bit more money in energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances that will easily last for several years. In the end, this upgrade will pay off big when it comes time to selling the house.
4. Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to completely change the look and feel of a home. Stick with a neutral palette of grays, tans, etc. that will effectively complement each room in the house, but won’t be so boring or even wild that your buyers will want to repaint right after they move in.
5. Update the Garage Door
It can be easy to focus all of your time and energy on the interior of the house, but the garage is also an extremely important part of rehabbing your house. If your flip’s garage door is dented or otherwise damaged, we recommend replacing it. Updating a garage door will feel like a big investment initially, but a new door will be give your flip’s value a huge boost and will increase curb appeal.
Keep these projects in mind the next time you flip a house. A new coat of paint and a couple of upgrades and replacements can instantly increase the value of your flip and make it more attractive to your potential buyers.