Plenty of would-be home buyers love the idea of moving into a newly constructed home that’s designed to modern perfection. According to the US Census Bureau, 612,000 newly constructed homes were sold in 2017. However, not every couple looking to buy their first home can afford these often expensive constructions. Instead, they’re forced to settle for older homes that might be a bit more run-down. How can you get excited about purchasing an older home for a more affordable price? Try a few of these pro tips and tricks to get an aging home to feel like the construction crew just finished clearing out yesterday.

Remodel Major Spaces

If you’re working with a limited budget and aren’t able to renovate the entire home, you might want to just focus on a few key spaces. Pay specific attention to the kitchen and bathroom – these areas see a lot more traffic than other spaces in your home. This is one of the reasons why homeowners remodel more than 10.2 million kitchens and 14.2 million bathrooms annually.

Can’t afford a big remodeling project right now? Look for some DIY solutions that will give you the feel of a brand new remodel. Try starting with the cabinets, since cabinets generally account for 40% to 50% of total kitchen remodel costs. A fresh coat of paint on existing cabinets and a new set of drawer pulls and knobs will go a long way into changing the appearance of a dated kitchen.

Change Up The Lighting

What feels like a dated room now might take on a whole new retro-chic vibe with the right lighting changes. A dark room can ruin an otherwise welcoming space, so you might want to change out lightbulbs and window treatments to let in a bit more natural light. In 2018, 15.88% of respondents aged 18 to 29 years stated that they bought draperies, blinds, or other window treatments in the past 12 months. This can dramatically change your space for a surprisingly low cost.

Try A Fresh Coat Of Paint

Love the set up of a room, but hate the color? A fresh coat of paint or a change of wallpaper could be the adjustment you need to take a room from shabby to chic. This simple DIY fix can make a room feel larger, brighter, and more modern. Look to use lighter neutral tones, as these can update any worn-out space. Get rid of old wallpaper too, if you have it in your home, as this can quickly date a home as styles go in and out of fashion.

Clean Until It Sparkles

Finally, one of the easiest, most affordable ways to take an old home from a boring flop to a successful flip is to clean it thoroughly. Make sure you scrub down all those hard to reach places and areas that don’t usually get much love. Cleaning walls, trim, floors, and more can help breathe new life into any old home that hasn’t seen enough TLC over the years. A bit of elbow grease goes a long way here, but don’t be afraid to hire outside cleaning services as well for a truly thorough cleaning.

You might be worried that buying an older home will leave you disappointed in its appearance, but older homes can look just like new with a few simple steps. Use these tips to bring out the character of your older home and transport it into the 21st century.

How to Make An Old Home Feel New Again by Regina Gables | Realty Biz News