Home Improvements that Add Value
By
User:riverajessica @timeAndDate(1303106695)
!
Think back. How much did you purchase your current home for? No matter what you paid, the odds are good that the basic wear and tear of daily life has worn things down; for someone with a house on the market, that could mean losing thousands of dollars on a sale, or not selling at all. Even if you're not selling any time soon, it's nice to know that your property has been increasing in value thanks to the work you've put into it. A few improvements, big and small, can add up to a house that's more livable for you, ''and'' for a potential buyer.
Check Up Time
Before you start any work on your home, a visit or two from some professionals can help get you on track.
Around the House
When it's time to upgrade and improve, the kitchen and bathroom will typically get the most attention, but there's a lot you can do all over the house that will make a huge difference to a buyer. Some very basic repairs can improve your home's worth significantly, and luckily, most of these can be done over a weekend. Some equipment you may need to get started:
Besides making necessary repairs, what can you do to improve the overall perceived value of your home? The simplest thing you can do is keep things clean.
* If you have carpeting in your home, have it
deep cleaned. Even if they look fine, carpets can house smells and bacteria will only get worse in the long term. This is another case where a professional may be necessary.
** You could also have the carpets removed all together. Older homes often have hardwood floors underneath, which is much more desirable'>ceramic floor tile.
Examine your house with a neutral eye and begin to think about staging, which is a technique for appealing to the largest buying pool possible.
* The purpose of each room should be immediately clear: a dining room should have a table and chairs, a home office should have a desk, a nursery should have a crib. Look to eliminate any ambiguity.
** Rearrange your furniture. You want every room to feel spacious; a tight cluster of furniture is more likely to make a room feel cramped rather than cozy.
* Clutter is completely unappealing, both visually and mentally. Go through each room of the house and look for ways to reduce and organize. Little knickknacks that you feel give your home personality may not correspond to a buyer's vision. Remember, you are trying to present a clean slate.
** You may need to get rid of some pieces. Donating them to charity can help unclutter a room and help a needy family.
** A
large mirror can create the illusion of space and help brighten up the room.
** Adding
garage, living room, and home office.
* Little details like hardware and faceplates also count. Better to update and upgrade rather than letting old ones detract from the look of your home:
Lighting
Another way to improve your home's value is to add to the lighting. Natural light is ideal; it creates a more peaceful feeling during the day.
track lighting is an option for casual living rooms, dens or kitchens. Check out these ceiling light options.
The Chef's Kitchen
The kitchen is at the heart of the home, so it makes sense to focus on it when you're looking to make some improvements. The three areas most deserving of attention are the cabinets, the appliances, and the amount of workspace on the counters.
'''Cabinets '''
New kitchen cabinets are a chance to rebrand your kitchen. The seventies style avocado and mustard kitchen that won your heart (or fit your budget) long ago could never live up to anyone's dreams of a
country kitchen with real wood cabinets and a marble countertop.
Beyond looks, storage and ease of access are also important. If you can afford it, install
turpentine.
** Shellac and latex paint can be removed with
denatured alcohol.
** Shellac (and lacquer and polyurethane) can also be removed with
lacquer thinner.
'''Appliances'''
Updating your appliances is always a welcome improvement. You can improve energy efficiency and overall functionand they just look good sitting in your kitchen.
'''Counter Space'''
Once again, clutter is the enemy. Underisland'>freestanding island. Both will add workspace to the kitchen, and can be easily moved out of the way if your floor plan becomes more restricted.
Spa Bathrooms
Bathrooms are another part of the house that can consistently do with some improvement: they can always be more relaxing and more convenient. Most home owners opt to have an additional bathroom installed; this has an excellent return on investment, when done correctly. Some luxurious bathroom improvements include:
As you can see, the shower and tub are best kept separate for a truly master bathfriendly additions, so a contractor is a good idea here. And remember, if you're adding to the water usage of your home, be it with a new shower system or a new dishwasher, you need to make sure your boiler can handle it.
Next we must consider the
tropical one, or otherwise.
Curb Appeal
Another way to improve the curb appeal in your home is to plant some greenery. Resodding the lawn, and planting a few shrubs and trees are all easy steps to take if you are lacking in the green thumb department.
Tankless water heaters heat water as it's needed, rather than keeping a little reservoir warm all day long. This saves power and reduces the chances of running out of hot water.
* Want to drive down your power bill come summertime? A
whole house fan is less expensive in the long term and easier to maintain than central air. Heat is sucked into the attic before being released outside again.
* Upgrade to an energy efficient
cool roof. Depending on your location, you may be able to get tax breaks on this form of roofing.
* If you have to put in new flooring, why not try bamboo?
Bamboo floors are more environmentally friendly than other wood materials, and as a solid surface, they're easier to clean.
*
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