Alot of Irish homeowners have faced up to the reality that dramatic price falls mean that it is not the right time to sell and move house. However just because you cannot move, it does not mean you have to put everything on hold.
Increasing numbers are turning to a spot of home improvement. Improving your home is a great way to add value to it, as well as increase the equity on your mortgage. The great thing is, there has never been a better time to carry out home improvements. Many home retailers are currently slashing their prices(some are having closing down sales), while builders are becoming increasingly desperate for work, giving you a better chance of grabbing a bargain.
So let's take a look at how you can improve your home without breaking the bank.
1) A splash of paint
It's simple but a fresh lick of paint on the walls can really make a difference. You don't need to be an expert to do it and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. And if you're thinking paint alone is a little dull, you could always use stencils to add snazzy designs! However, if you're still planning to sell your home in the not too distant future, stick to neutral colours. Magnolia can be a little boring, but its usually cheaper and will make your house more attractive to buyers.
2) Revamping tactics
If your kitchen is starting to look a little dated or grubby, you don't have to pay out stacks of money for a brand new one. Instead, why not replace the unit doors and fit new handles yourself? You can also pick up some new kitchen worktops pretty cheaply. IKEA opens in Dublin soon and will have a great selection of low cost kitchen products. Alternatively, you could simply repaint the units in a colour of your choice. You can buy specialised paint to do this -- just make sure you fully clean the surface before painting so that it gives it a nice clean finish.
3) Bag a builder bargain
If there's a fairly large job to be done and your own DIY skills aren't up to it, you'll need to hire a contractor. Usually, the trouble with this is the expense. But in today's climate, you might be pleasantly surprised. In fact, because many builders are currently finding work harder to come by, they're more likely to offer you a competitive deal. So it's worth shopping around and obtaining as many quotes as possible -- at least three anyway -- to ensure you're getting the best deal. What's more, once you've got a range of quotes to hand, you can use the lowest quote as a bit of a bargaining tool to see whether any of the builders will reduce their offer any further.
4) Get a better mortgage
Mortgage rates have dropped dramatically over the last few months meaning that now is a good time to think about switching lenders to see if you can get a better deal. And if you have some equity in your home you could think about borrowing a bit extra to do those home improvements or pay off expensive loans to get your finances in order.
You can apply online with MortgageLine for a Free Mortgage Review.
5) Spring cleanout?
Getting rid of clutter can really make your house feel more spacious. Keep furniture to a minimum and get rid of things that you do not need. The thing to remember is that it need not cost a fortune to improve your home and you can add some real value to your property at the same time. Good luck with the Spring cleaning!
Stephen Hamilton / http://www.mortgageline.ie/
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