Before and After Part 3


This is the final group of photos from our latest rental house re-do.  Earlier this week I shared photos of the exterior transformation and the interior renovations.

Now, for the kitchen. 
Which was BEYOND disgusting.
The former free-loading tenants took the stove and refrigerator and left a dirty mess.

before
  
after

Do I really need to caption the photos with "before" and "after" - or is it a bit obvious?



after




after

We replaced the knobs and handles and hinges.
We also painted the cabinets and walls.
And replaced the floors with vinyl that looks like wood - which I mentioned here.
My husband installed a new faucet.
My mom also bought new appliances at Lowe's - where we should buy stock.
The covered roller shade over the window was an easy project.

The kitchen portion of the remodel cost less than $2,000 - which includes the cost of the stainless oven, vent hood, dishwasher, and refrigerator.  My mom purchased the appliances at Lowe's during an appliance sale.

So, the interior of the house basically needed...

(1) fresh paint
(2) new flooring
(3) new lighting
(4) new towel racks and faucets
(5) new appliances

The exterior needed..
(1) new soffits
(2) new paint
(3) repair of damaged and rotting wood.
(4) new shutters.


Do you have a dirty rental house you need to sell?
Or maybe need to get your own home on the market?

Here are
A couple of tips we learned along the way
A.)  One of the most noticeable changes (not visible in the photos) are the ceilings.  My mom hired a painter to paint the ceilings a super-duper white.  The extra-white ceilings make everything else "feel" cleaner and newer.  (The painter mixed ceiling white with exterior white paint.)
B.) New lighting keeps a home from seeming dated - even if the new fixtures are not expensive.
C.)  Fresh paint is a MUST, not an option.  Paint can cover over a multitude of problems.
D.)  Try to reach a happy balance between what you want in a dream home and what will sell to someone in this particular price range.  
E.)  New and clean is key.  Switch plates, wall paint, flooring, lighting, faucets, mailbox, knobs, door mats - whatever you can afford.  Just one less thing to look "old" and "pre-owned."

With so many homes available on the market, right now, buyers can be choosy and want a house with very little maintenance required.  Everything needs to look like it is low-maintenance or new, even if it is not.

We are so thankful to have this project BEHIND us.  It was overwhelming at first.  My sister took the first group of photos before we ever saw the house (when there was a dead dog in a box on the front porch).  We can look back now and laugh at our first trip to see the house after the photos.  I took Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and my mom brought a mop!  We had no idea how disgusting the home was just from the photos!  The magic erasers and mop stayed in the car because the work that was required the first few days was much more intense. 

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you remember that we JUST went through this same process with deadbeat renters in a property we owned in Atlanta.  Here are the before and after photos and projects from that rehab.  It was a similar level of disgusting, but with dirty diapers and a sabotaged electric panel.



I have heard from so many of you who have been faced with similar rental house or foreclosure situations.  You can do it!  Just hold your nose and put on some plastic gloves and get to work!  I feel your pain!


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Comments

That kitchen looks so crisp now! It's so funny what you said about your mom and you showing up originally with magic erasers and mops...been there. And then reality hits and you're like..oh.my.word....
You should be so proud of your hard work, it's so clean, tidy and crisp now. Looks great - really!
Linda said…
The transformation is amazing.
You should have no problem selling.
When we downsized 3 years ago we had painters come in a and paint all one colour in every room. The ceilings were painted cloud white. A favourite here. Now did I mention they were heavy smokers. Even our painter said the smell was disgusting and he was a smoker.
The painting and scrubbing did not take away the horrible smoke smell so we were lucky enough to get a huge purifier from an insurance co. to clean the air. Within 24 hours the smell was gone. There is nothing like a fresh home.
Rebecca said…
I appreciate your summary of where to concentrate. The results of your hard work and decisions is amazing.

Hoping for a quick sale/reward for your investment!
Jamie Miles said…
A dirty rental house that you need to sell? Does our house count? That was impressive. I'm going to look at all that you've done. Is this where you've been this summer? I'm really impressed.
Unknown said…
You did an awesome job! Love white kitchens...and this one is no exception.

Stopping by from Hearts 4 Home...

www.domesticblissdiaries.com
This house looks great.
The Honey and I have been looking at houses online and are thinking of downsizing. A move in our future? Who knows...but one thing I've noticed.
some houses ARE DISGUSTING...and the pictures make you not interested right off the bat!

I should take your advice and look at it with all the potential it could have...

thanks for showing some great inspiration! Pat
Sjn said…
such a lot of hard work but so worth the effort with your results. Hope it now sells quickly for you.
You've updated it so completely and nicely. Great job!
bridgett said…
Your kitchen looks completely different! Amazing! I love how you did two separate mirrors in the bathroom, too! Would love if you came and shared at my first party!

http://osiemoats.blogspot.com/2012/07/thursday-linky-party-1.html

xoxo
Jen said…
It looks great! I love the fabric for the kitchen window.
That is absolutely amazing! Great job! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from A Glimpse Inside. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-6.html Wishing you a grand rest of the week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Unknown said…
What a difference paint and hardware makes, great job!
The Kim Six Fix said…
That is an amazing transformation. It would be hard to believe that is the same kitchen.. What a difference!
Libby said…
This is such an amazing transformation. The kitchen looks so great!

* Stopping over from Simple Home Life link party.

www.artisticexpressionsbyelisabeth.blogspot.com
chateau chic said…
You all did an amazing job! Obviously it took a lot of hard work, but WOW, it sure paid off!
I'm a new follower and hope you'll stop by, Mary Alice
Whew! A breath of fresh air! Nice job. Visiting from Delightful Order.
Visiting from TTG. Great job, that kitchen is night & day! We bought a disgusting house, not to rent but to fix and live in. It's really hard work, but you can do it!
Isabel said…
wow!!!! looks awesome!!!! great job love the shutters for the pantry:O)
Fancy said…
It looks great! So much bigger without that busy wallpaper. <3
Unknown said…
I love the look- very clean : o ) Your fabric in the kitchen is lovely too!
Katherine said…
The kitchen looks fresh & cheery and you had lots of great tips! I hope you'll stop by & share this tomorrow at Gettin' Krafty With It.
Maureen Wyatt said…
I'd say you nailed it! Hope it sells quickly for you. ~ Maureen
Oh my! My husband and I are moving and going from homeowner to home renter. Now I understand why the owners we've talked to seemed to be interogating us. I'm so sorry that you've had to deal with such bad renters. We wnated a home to rent long term and to be able to treat it like it was ours. But you've done a wonderful job on the rehabs.
Wow, what a transformation! Great job :) Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla
Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Wishing you a grad week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Diann said…
Wow, great transformation! You did a fantastic job! Thank you for sharing at TTF last week! I hope you are having a terrific day!
Unknown said…
Visiting from NTT and appreciate someone else who's not afraid to get down and dirty so that it comes out sparkling and white! I'm your latest follower and you might enjoy as I share about our recent battle with an old, dirty reno
Great job...it all looks so great and wonderful bullet points for people to know.
Anita Diaz said…
What a wonderful makeover, and you kept the charm of the kitchen! It's just beautiful, and I love the shade. The fabric is just wonderful!!
Such an amazing transformation! All of your hardwork has definitely paid off! Have a fabulous week! Angie xo
Wow, what a fabulous transformation! We hope to purchase an older home that needs a bit of TLC sometime in the not-so-distant-future, so I am all about ideas to put in the elbow grease and make it look like new! :) p.s. I found your post via the Nifty Thrifty Tuesday party at Coastal Charm! :) Nice to meet you, and God Bless!
Sue said…
Paint really CAN transform rooms and work wonders! Your new kitchen looks crisp and clean- quite a contrast from the old wall-papered look. :-) I read in an earlier post that you didn't know how to add a link back to a linky party. if you'd like to learn, please e-mail me and I'd be happy to show you how to do it. The hosts of these parties really appreciate the link-back so that those who visit you can access their blog party. Am visiting from the PJH Designs linky party.
~ Sue
Princess Kate said…
Wow what a difference. Looks fantastic. I'm stopping by from Wow Us Wednesdays and I am your newest follower.
Lovely! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
My Dream Canvas said…
This looks great! I am hosting a Giveaway to win a 50 dollar gift card to the store HomeGoods. It would be great if you stopped by and entered. Thanks Anu
PJH Designs said…
Hi Trish, I love your kitchen re-do. You are featured at Totally Transformed Tuesday. Thanks for sharing. Peggy