The decision to purchase your very own home, is one of the largest investments you will ever make. It makes sense then, that you would want to do everything you can to make sure your investment maintains its value. This article will provide you with some tips and advice on home improvement and what you can do to keep your property looking its absolute best.
Any major renovations you have planned for your home should be reviewed by a professional. Without expertise in the area, your renovations will probably be more about form rather than function. However, having a professionally put together the plans will help avoid problems with safety regulations and codes later on. That saves money and time.
Decide on your main style theme before you start to add customizing features onto your home. Identifying your decorating style will have a serious impact on the choices that you make. Try not to make changes in the middle of the project, as you should stick to your intended style. Fixing mistakes is always more costly than doing things correctly the first time.
Update the lighting in your home to add brightness. Changes in lighting fixtures and adding additional wall lighting can bring a entirely new look to your home. Buy energy saving bulbs to reduce your overall energy costs and consider investing in a smart lighting system that will automatically turn off lights when not in use.
When deciding what exterior renovations a home needs to make it saleable, step out to the curb and take a picture. The picture on your listing is the first exposure any potential buyers will have to your home. If your picture shows a dingy house with overgrown landscaping, fix it!
No matter what size area you are painting in your home, you should figure out your paint needs before you begin. Do not guess how much the job is going to cost as you could be way off. Carefully plan out and measure exactly what is needed to paint everything.
If your shower and bathtub seem to be building up mildew, or leaking a little bit, it may be time for you to re-caulk. Removing your old caulk and putting in new should actually be done once a year as your typical bathroom maintenance. You can purchase calk from any hardware store for a very reasonable price.
If you are thinking of changing the flooring in your home, go with hardwood flooring. Hardwood is much easier to clean that carpeting and other kinds of wood. It is also very strong and durable and looks attractive. Another advantage of hardwood is that it can refinished from time to time, so it can always appear to be brand new!
If you are remodeling your kitchen, it is important that you add modern appliances. This is especially important if you plan on selling your house, as buyers do not want to use outdated appliances. Stainless steel appliances are the most popular nowadays and can easily be purchased in many stores.
Remodel on a small scale for bathrooms. A small budget can still mean a big impact, that looks much more expensive than it actually was. Little things like replacing lights and towel racks can make a big difference. It will also improve things if you add a fresh coat of paint. You'll have a new, modern bathroom without spending much cash.
Consider more durable and fire-resistant materials when adding an addition or structure to your home to enjoy lower home insurance premiums. Wood, as a building material, is more flammable and vulnerable to weather damage than stronger materials, such as cement or metal. These construction materials may require a larger outlay of cash, but in the long run, the money you save on yearly premiums for these structures will far outweigh the initial higher costs.
If space is at a premium in your home, consider remodeling the attic or basement. These often overlooked spaces can be a cost-effective way to gain more square footage in your home, without resorting to a costly extension. If the area is already partially finished, your project will progress quickly, and you'll be enjoying your new space in no time.
If you are new to home improvement, it is important that you get the knowledge you need. Oftentimes, if you have colleagues or friends that know what they are doing when it comes to home improvement, they would be more than willing to help you with the information you need or help you in the actual process itself.
Before you begin any electrical work in the house, think twice about it. Are you really up to the task? Make sure that the electricity in that part of the house has been turned off. You can do this by turning the lights on and then turning off breakers until all the lights in your work area is off. For outlets, insert a lamp and use the same method. This will help ensure you do not get shocked. You should also invest in a voltage tester. These are relatively inexpensive and could be a life-saver.
Siding
If you are improving your home to increase its sale value, focus on the important portions first. Trying to renovate the whole home will become overly expensive and provide a diminishing return on investment. Items such as exterior siding, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and kitchen appliances, however, will be universally appealing as you try to sell the home.
For a high-impact update that can be completed in less than a day, consider freshening up your front door with one or two coats of brightly colored, ultra-glossy paint. Homes with light-colored brick or siding look best with a bright red or blue door; darkly colored homes do best with a deep, cool color like eggplant or slate blue.
Before you begin painting the exterior of your home, it is critical to repair and prepare the surfaces you plan on repainting. Your paint job will not be durable if you do not prepare the surfaces properly. If your house has siding, any section that is damaged must be repaired. If the surface you are repainting is wood, remove any peeling, flaking, or blistering paint, before applying a new coat. This difficult job of removing paint can be done by scraping or sanding. Be sure to wear safety equipment, such as a dust mask and protective goggles, when removing the old paint.
What does the siding on your home look like? Do you have the old asbestos siding that was so prominent decades ago? Maybe you have vinyl siding, and it is starting to fall apart or look dingy. Perhaps you are thinking about bricking your house which is all around the best type of siding. Whatever the case may be, siding your home, while it can be expensive, is one of the best options in improving the value of your home.
If you are considering siding your new home with sustainable siding there are many choices available. The top three sustainable siding materials being used in the green building industry are wood siding, siding made of recycled materials, and cement fiber insulation. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of all of your options.
If you would like to get rid of your exterior siding on your home and replace it with original wood keep in mind that you will have to take appropriate steps to protect your wood. You can either paint it or use finisher. You will have to replace it when it eventually starts to peel and crack.
Updating the outside of your house by repainting the exterior or updating the siding is a very cost value added home improvement. It is one of the most effective ways to increase the sale price of your home. By giving your home an exterior facelift you can instantly add more buying appeal to your home.
Siding is a major home improvement project. By doing this task though, you can considerably increase the value of your asset. The first decision make is to decide what style and color of siding you want. You might want to consider getting a low-maintenance material. Be sure to shop around to find the best price for what you want, and don't be afraid to negotiate.
A pressure washer, and cleaners designed for your home's exterior, can be used to clean and refresh curb appeal. You can rent a pressure washer cheaply, and they can do a great job of cleaning dirt from the siding of your house. Be particularly cautious when approaching windows and the roof line. It is important not to loosen anything from the house.
Are you weighing the pros and cons on installing vinyl siding on your home? Vinyl siding is very low-maintenance and it generally lasts for 25 years. Typically, a home without vinyl siding needs to be repainted every five to seven years. If you want to have a home that has high curb appeal but requires low maintenance, then installing vinyl siding may be a wise choice for you.
Your home is one of the most valuable resources that you have. It is important to take the time to research and perform updates on your property to maintain its value. Following the advice provided in this article can save you from a lot of frustration, as well as, costly mistakes.
