Update your Home on a Budget!

Last year I had the opportunity to help a couple buy a home here in Boise. They bought a home that was built in 1977. Everything in the home was original and nothing had been updated since it was built. These savvy homeowners are so handy they were able to re-do the kitchen for under $300!! The picture below shows the original kitchen when they moved in.

First they purchased a counter top paint and painted over the yellow Formica which gave it an entirely new look. Next they painted the walls blue which made it more homey as they customized the kitchen to what they wanted. They also replaced the yellow Formica back splash with tile they were able to find for a good price. They were able to do all of the labor themselves which saved lots of money. Here is the after picture of their new beautiful kitchen.

So just keep in mind that there are inexpensive ways to update a home, especially if you are willing and able to do the labor yourself.

Written by guest blogger Kayla Schlador with Windermere Real Estate/Richard B. Smith

Small touches that power up your curb appeal

Last week I went for my morning walk outside my regular hood and I was really impressed by some of these small touches that power up the curb appeal.

Love the aqua blue door, flower pot and bench around the corner. Adding a splash of color in three's always seems to work. Very effective on this house, and I just love the black chairs. Cool gray and aqua blue is big this year in the parade homes, so I guess it's in. But hats off to this homeowner who was ahead of the trend, perhaps they started it!

Love the splashes of color on this bench! But again, this savvy homeowner repeated a theme, picked up the brown on the door and shudders and used it in the cushions; then added the splashes of bright color.