In today's economy it's more important than ever to keep your home in tip top shape. When a home can devalue by 25% for no reason other than market conditions, it's much worse when the home is neglected and needs repairs. Many homeowners have found themselves in situations where they needed to sell right away but had no time or money for the necessary home improvement and home remodeling projects. Don't be one of them.
Keeping your home in good condition and up to date doesn't necessarily mean you have an expensive home remodel on your hands. Since home equity loans are a thing of the past - the method most commonly used when this type of cash was needed - many folks are learning how to do things on their own and find reasonable ways to get good results without going broke.
As you decide what projects to take care of first, pay attention to your exterior. Too often this is forgotten about yet it's the one most important aspect in getting potential buyers interested in your property if you find that you need to sell quickly. If your paint is peeling and you have weeds reaching the second floor, people will dry away rather than be lured in to see the rest of your home.
Large multi storey homes may need professional attention if only because they have the right tools such as tall ladders and the right type of staging. However, smaller homes like ranches and slabs can usually be handled with a few friends in a day or so.
Areas like bathrooms can be a problem if you aren't experienced in tiling, cabinetry or plumbing. However, you don't need to do a complete rehab of a bathroom in order to improve its appearance and add value to your home. Just take care of what needs to be done. Paint, maybe get new counter tops, get a new light fixture, and maybe a new sink and faucet. If you do want to remove or add tile, check out what classes are being held at your local Home Depot or other home improvement store. It's not easy, but it's not impossible and many first timers do a great job.
Landscaping can add thousands of dollars in value to any home, and it doesn't need to be designed or installed by professionals. New sod, some brickwork along a walkway, new bushes, a freshly painted fence, or even brand new mulch and crushed stones in some areas can turn a dirty ugly yard into a beautiful relaxing area.
Waiting until the last minute to do repairs can be a bad decision. Fix leaks and peeling paint right away. If something breaks, fix it. Otherwise, you'll be compounding problems as time goes on.
Take care of problems when they occur. Fix leaks, replace roof shingles, and buy updated appliances little by little. Don't wait until you have a major problem that you can't afford to deal with.
Keeping your home in good condition and up to date doesn't necessarily mean you have an expensive home remodel on your hands. Since home equity loans are a thing of the past - the method most commonly used when this type of cash was needed - many folks are learning how to do things on their own and find reasonable ways to get good results without going broke.
As you decide what projects to take care of first, pay attention to your exterior. Too often this is forgotten about yet it's the one most important aspect in getting potential buyers interested in your property if you find that you need to sell quickly. If your paint is peeling and you have weeds reaching the second floor, people will dry away rather than be lured in to see the rest of your home.
Large multi storey homes may need professional attention if only because they have the right tools such as tall ladders and the right type of staging. However, smaller homes like ranches and slabs can usually be handled with a few friends in a day or so.
Areas like bathrooms can be a problem if you aren't experienced in tiling, cabinetry or plumbing. However, you don't need to do a complete rehab of a bathroom in order to improve its appearance and add value to your home. Just take care of what needs to be done. Paint, maybe get new counter tops, get a new light fixture, and maybe a new sink and faucet. If you do want to remove or add tile, check out what classes are being held at your local Home Depot or other home improvement store. It's not easy, but it's not impossible and many first timers do a great job.
Landscaping can add thousands of dollars in value to any home, and it doesn't need to be designed or installed by professionals. New sod, some brickwork along a walkway, new bushes, a freshly painted fence, or even brand new mulch and crushed stones in some areas can turn a dirty ugly yard into a beautiful relaxing area.
Waiting until the last minute to do repairs can be a bad decision. Fix leaks and peeling paint right away. If something breaks, fix it. Otherwise, you'll be compounding problems as time goes on.
Take care of problems when they occur. Fix leaks, replace roof shingles, and buy updated appliances little by little. Don't wait until you have a major problem that you can't afford to deal with.
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Don't have time or cash for much-needed home improvement and home remodeling projects ? Check out our fab improvement and remodeling guide for the ultimate inside scoop!
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