I have been known to say that cat’s pee smells like money to me. Which does tend to raise a few eyebrows in polite society! Along with some very strange looks.
But if you want to renovate and flip houses, paying less when you buy and making the biggest impact with your renovation for the smallest budget are a big part of being a success.
Which is why I love cat pee smells. Or any weird smells, really. Because most buyers are going to walk in the door, sniff, and run, thereby giving me a better chance of paying less for the house. And changing the flooring is one of the best ways to make a huge difference to a house, often quite cheaply.
When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Visually, the three biggest spaces in most rooms are the walls, ceiling and floor. Changing the floor makes a huge impact aesthetically to the look and feel of the space.
Tired, grubby carpet that smells of cat pee? Rip it up and polish the hidden boards underneath. Renovator’s Tip: mix up a solution of equal parts boiled linseed oil, white vinegar and turpentine then use it to test a patch of floor with a lint-free cloth. The results will give you a good idea of whether you’ve uncovered a hidden gem.
No floorboards or they look like rubbish? Replace the old carpet with fresh, clean carpet. Paint the boards. Use a floating floor or one of the new vinyl floorboard options. There are plenty of options you can choose from to match the style of your renovation.
And once you’ve replaced the flooring, think about whether adding a rug or two as part of your styling will help to give the room a pop of colour or will add to the wow! factor of styling.
If you’re looking for a way to add substantial value to the look and feel of your home, look down. Oh, and if you’re selling? You may not want to go to the cost or hassle of replacing the flooring, but at least make sure what’s there is as clean as you can get it. And if you have pets, it might just be a good idea to get a friend to smell test your house.