What can you do when you want to make some home improvements but you don’t have the money? I have a few suggestions for anyone looking to upgrade their home…
Call It What You Will
You can call it rehab, renovate, update, upgrade or improve but no matter what word you use, they all come with a price tag. What can you do when you want to make some home improvements but you don’t have the money? One of the great things about owning your own home is making updates or upgrades that reflect your unique style and personality.
So I have a few suggestions for anyone looking for a creative way to find the money to upgrade their home:
Become a Landlord
I admit that this option is going to be unpopular with many of you. But if you have the ability, becoming a landlord by renting out a spare room could help you save money toward the renovations. This doesn’t have to be a long term thing. Just 6-12 months could be long enough to save up the necessary funds to complete your renovations. Just make sure you check out all the prospective renters to weed out the crazies.
A super important part of this plan is using a rental contract so everybody is on the same page if any conflicts or confusion arise.
Contact Your Utility Company
I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes your power company has programs to help their customers improve their homes. There may be financial incentives out there for renovations that increase your home’s energy efficiency. You might be able to get a loan or rebates on your costs if you are making green upgrades. I have heard of some programs that let you pay off the loan as part of your monthly utility bill.
Sell Something
Yet another suggestion that is probably unpopular with some you! But an easy way to raise some extra cash for a home renovation is selling something that is just gathering dust in your attic or garage. You could throw an ad up on Craigslist or just post it on Facebook.
The good thing about getting rid of this stuff is that you will gain more space in for the remodeling!
Sweating to the Beat of a Hammer
Nothing good comes without a little effort. And sometimes that includes breaking a sweat! You could cut down on the cost of your rehab by doing some of the work yourself. There are plenty of things you can do instead of hiring a professional contractor. With a little research, you may be able find instructions online.
The Take Away
All of these tips can save you money when remodeling your home. But I have to say you could be much better off hiring the appropriate professional to handle your remodeling. Take the time to check out what is involved and get some estimates before taking on any home improvements yourself.
