Are you planning a home remodel? Or looking to sell in the coming years? Make the most of every dollar spent by tackling these six remodeling projects that increase your home’s value.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve bought a newly built home, a condo in a maintained community, or a fixer-upper—owning your own place brings out the home improvement itch in us all (or at least requires us to do necessary repairs and maintenance tasks). Here are six pieces of advice to help turn your dwelling place into a better home.
Paint inside and out. A few years back, there was a study on what home improvements actually could be linked to an increase in happiness and well-being. One of the most affordable was to simply paint the rooms of your home in colors that fostered the target emotions that map to the function of the room. For instance, painting a bedroom a soft blue or green fosters tranquility and rest while painting a kitchen or dining room a warmer shade might promote the cozy fuzzy feelings of family togetherness. Painting can be very affordable, depending on your home’s size and details, and is a great starter do-it-yourself project, to boot.
Upgrade your windows. Switching out your old single-paned windows for new dual-paned ones might make your home look better, but it will definitely make your home operate more efficiently – and more comfortably. Dual-paned windows minimize heat-loss in the winter and keep the cool air in, in the summer, so you’re not trying to heat up and cool down the whole outdoors through the leaks in your windows. They’re also a must if you have street noise or other noise challenges around your home; the extra insulation traps noise before it can get to you, inside your home.
Better front entry door. A new front door can also be a good investment. According to Remodeling Magazine, you’ll recoup almost 91 percent of the cost on a steel entry door and nearly 78 percent on the price of a fiberglass one.
A minor kitchen remodel. Said to be the heart of the home, the kitchen deserves some extra attention. This does not necessarily mean making a complete overhaul but could include refacing cabinets or updating finishes. If your home is worth more than $500,000, go with stone or trendy glass countertops. Brighten up the kitchen by sanding and painting existing cabinets. It’s much less expensive than buying new ones. Add decorator detail without the cost by changing drapes and window molding.
Updated kitchen appliances. Upgrading to high-efficiency appliances, water heaters, and furnaces has a dual benefit. These may make the home more attractive, but just as importantly, they reduce living costs for the homeowner. Some states and cities may also have tax incentives or other programs to help offset the cost.
Bathroom improvements. The bathroom is another prime place for renovations. Replacing the vanity, lighting, and toilet is an inexpensive way to dramatically improve the look and feel of the room.
If you’re considering making a modest investment in a home you plan to own for a while, you’re increasingly in the norm. If you’ve considered a minor or majoy remodel as part of your next construction project, reach out to us for guidance and a design plan to suit your needs.
