Hmm I wonder what type of light fixture wouldn't be overwhelming in that small a space.maybe two wall mounted sconces to brighten it up too?

Anonymous wrote:Paint kitchen white and get some cool red counters http://intentionallysmall.com/2012/09/27/matts-653-sqft-live-work-apt/

Really? I think that looks terrible and cheap.

This is a perfectly good house, it's just cluttered and needs new window treatments.

I would get rid of the vertical/dark blinds and replace them with appropriate drapery.

Perhaps the main living area could be painted with a little bit lighter shade, but it's really fine. The hardwood on the main level looks good. Can't see much of the kitchen, but it looks OK. I would replace the light fixture in the dining area.

A lot depends on her taste and what she has for furniture.

She can paint the whole place for a couple of hundred dollars if she paints herself. Area rugs on the carpet in the bedrooms. Definitely new window treatments. But specifics -- depends on what she likes.

It's not cringeworthy, it just needs a few updates, and $4000 is plenty of money to paint, replace carpets, and replace the vertical blinds with curtains. If you were a good parent, you'd stop calling your kid's future home hideous and instead stay the hell out of her business. Better yet, pony up some money to help her decorate it.

Why did you start two separate threads on this house in Raleigh, NC? You're basically asking the same question on another thread in Real Estate and Home Improvement.

Paint kitchen white and get some cool red counters http://intentionallysmall.com/2012/09/27/matts-653-sqft-live-work-apt/

Anonymous wrote:A PP here. Wondering if the HOA fees are high for the mortgage or reasonable.

HOA Dues $159/month

This looks cute and do-able

http://intentionallysmall.com/2013/09/04/stacey-and-bens-920-sqft-raleigh-townhome/stacey-and-bens-920-sqft-raleigh-townhome-03/


to PP - I think the hoa said it was $150 or $160 monthly

Something I did that made a big impact was to have popcorn ceilings removed (skim coated with plaster). Cost about $800 for a large room, I recall. It really changed the feel of the place.

Anonymous wrote:My car cost nearly that much. Seriously OP once the crap is moved out and it's repainted it's fine. It's low builder grade finishes but she won't be able to change much for her budget and its not worth investing much if you don't get a return on the sale. Focus on the usual quick fixes-paint, hardware/knobs, some nice curtain panels.

Then you got ripped off on your car. Since you are so wealthy to make that comment, why don't you donate to fix it up. House looks fine to me.

I would work with what is there and put in new blinds, paint if she does not like the color and replace the vanity and light fixtures. That looks like an easy diy as it is liveable.

New carpet or hardwoods, paint (which she can do), crown molding, new light fixtures.

A PP here. Wondering if the HOA fees are high for the mortgage or reasonable.

I think OP is cringing at the decor--many people can't see past that, so I won't give her a hard time.

Agree with posters--the vertical blinds downstairs and the black blinds upstairs should go. Window treatments in general should be a priority. The paint looks okay as does the carpeting but hard to tell.

New light fixtures would be an improvement. At some point a better vanity would help--agree that a different shower curtain would help the bathroom. The kitchen is barely showing in the photos so hard to tell what should be changed there.

All the closet doors look really cheap and prone to problems down the road. But I wonder if replacing them with something sturdier would be worth the expense.