The Seven Best Renovations for Your Money

The right renovation efforts can go a long way towards increasing the value of your home. However, what works for the rest of America may be the wrong move in a brownstone neighborhood.

Case in point, how many of us have seen a neighbor spend thousands of dollars on vinyl siding for their brick facade? That may work in the suburbs, but in certain parts of Brooklyn, you might just get uninvited to the block party for such a move.

Whether you are selling, refinancing and need a bank's appraisal or just want to improve the quality of life in the home you are in, the following are the most economical ways to give your place a lasting facelift.

1. Declutter- The magazines, the furniture no one uses, the stuff laying around in  corners and hallways you are always tripping over. Either chuck it or store it. That's what Goodwill and basements are for. Put them to use.
Cost: $0

2. Paint- Fewer things encourage low ball offers or appraisals than a decade old paint job. And while we are it, remember to buy eco-friendly low or no VOC paint. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. Lower grade paints are high in VOCs. Over time, these particles are released into the air and interfere with the air quality of your home.

Cost $150 to $500 a room depending on who is painting and the plaster work needed.

3. Lighting- I know you are trying to save money with those 40-60 watt light bulbs but, in the long run, it can hurt you in the pocket and the heart. Poor lighting in your home has often been linked to depression. It is like dressing up and looking at yourself in a broken mirror. Switch out those incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent lights (CFL). Sylvania has a 65 watt CFL that gives off 4200 lumens. That is the equivalent of a 200 watt incandescent bulb. These bulbs also pay for themselves because they last for years. A style addendum to the lighting issue would be to search for a period specific light fixture to greet guests when they enter the home's parlor floor.
Cost: bulbs $25 each. fixture $100-$200 (used).

4. Bathroom remix- Bathrooms are second only to kitchens as the spaces that either turn folk on or off about a house. If your bathroom has those pink and black tiles that were in vogue decades ago, it's time for a remix. Buy classic wall tiles and flooring. Since most urban bathrooms are not that big, this should not break the bank. Change out that old cabinet based sink with a pedestal sink. Not only will it match the period of the house (1890-1920), it will also make a space-challenged bathroom look bigger. And while you are at it, buy a brand new dual flush toilet. It will save you money and they are just a few hundred dollars.
Cost: less than $1,500

5. Landscaping- There is a huge difference between a backyard and a garden. Most brownstones have backyards. If you spend a few extra dollars on some bushes and trees with seasonal blooms, along with a few pavers and aesthetically correct lawn furniture, you will surely have the jump one most of your competition.
Cost: $1000- $2500

6. A Deck- If you follow your landscaping with a deck of the back parlor, your competitors can just pack up and go home. I've seen many homes that were priced correctly sell swiftly because of a deck. It's almost a wonder why more homeowners don't have them. Warning: there are very strict regulations in NYC regarding construction and materials used to build a deck. Make sure you consult with the proper professional familiar with NYC building code before you start.
Cost: $7000 to $20,000 depending on size and material.

7. New Doors- We are not talking about new doors from a home depot or Lowes here. In the case of brownstones, new is not better. Search through salvage or antique shops to find the doors that match the architecture of your home when it was built a century ago. In the best case scenario, you would have the paint stripped and the door re-stained and polished. If that project is too deep for your pockets, look on your block to see who has the best original doors that happen to be painted..and copy them. Since we don't have long lawns like the suburbs here in Brownstone Brooklyn, a beautiful door goes a long way toward curb appeal.
Cost: $250 to $1,500

Next: "The 5 most expensive renovations that will actually devalue your home"

Martin Tkalla Keaton is a senior associate and Multi Million-Dollar Club member of the Corcoran Group.