Unsellable Houses’ Leslie Davis On Pros That Will Pay For Themselves When Selling Your Home

In “Unsellable Houses,” Leslie Davis and her sister, Lyndsay Lamb, often have to think creatively to renovate homes and stay within their budget. DIYs are a huge part of that cash-saving creativity. Landscaping, painting, wallpapering, and millwork are some of the changes Davis believes can be done by first-time homebuyers, but there are some more expensive and permanent renovations that she says you won’t want to repair later. “Do the things that you are comfortable with and that you feel like you are capable of, but leave the items that need to be done by a professional to a professional, because you will end up having to redo them,” she advised. 

This philosophy could extend to anything you’re not totally comfortable with, but Davis warns fans about flooring, in particular. “Although that is going to cost you money, you need to make sure that you leave the tiling for a tile setter or the install of hardwood floors for a floor layer,” she explained. The national average cost for flooring renovation and installation is around $7 per square foot. To avoid paying this hefty price twice, it’s better to choose a reputable flooring professional instead of sticking the floor down by yourself.