If the severity of the economic crisis has taken you by surprise, like millions of others, you might be rethinking any plans to move home. Although it’s going to be a while before confidence returns to the housing market, happily there are steps you can take in the meantime to make your home a better place to be.
Quick Change
If as a child you ever rearranged your bedroom on a whim, you’ll remember how it immediately felt like a whole new, exciting space. If you feel stuck in a rut with your home, take some paper and plan out how you might change each room to give them an immediate style makeover. Sounds simple but it really does work – you’ll walk around your home with renewed enthusiasm!
Room to Move
With all the money you’ll be saving on a house move, why not think about extending your current home instead? More and more people are learning to make the most of what they have by adding floor space with an extension. It might seem like an upheaval at the time, but it won’t be anything like as stressful as a move, especially in the current climate. If your incentive to move was to gain an extra bedroom, bathroom or bigger kitchen, think about gathering some quotes.
A Lick of Paint
It can be difficult to feel enthusiasm for a home you’ve grown out of, but redecorating can bring a totally different look to every room. A style makeover might be just what you need to ride out the housing market storm, and when you do come to sell, your freshly decorated home will have added appeal for buyers. While you paint or paper, take the opportunity to remove clutter and freshen the place up with new accessories and furnishings.
New Look
Renovating your kitchen or bathroom will help to add value and style to your home, and you’ll probably fall in love with it all over again. Take a wander around some home stores and get a feel for the kind of look you like. A little inspiration will be just what you need to get the ball rolling. Many suppliers will even come to your home and plan your options with you on screen, so you can really see how the finished project will look when built into your own space.
House for Rent
If you’re really desperate for a change of scene think about letting your home while you rent elsewhere. This is a particularly good option if you’re planning to downsize, since you’ll hopefully pay less in rent than your own property will yield. Renting is a great way to try before you buy, just remember to check with your mortgage provider before you go ahead and let your home.
A house move will often be triggered by practical reasons such as money, space or location; but sometimes you might simply have an urge to settle somewhere new. If circumstances mean you feel trapped in a property you’ve outgrown in some way, these tips might just save your sanity until you sell.