Home improvement is the most cost-effective way to get a new home in this economy. In a buyer's market, it is too hard to find someone to buy your home at the price it is valued. Instead of dealing with the real estate hassle, why not improve the home you already have? This article has tips on how you can make your current home seem new.
The dominant weather conditions in your region should be taken into account when you are considering which home improvement projects to take on. Regardless of how much you might want a specific new feature, sometimes it might be impractical because of the weather. For example, a complex backyard barbecue project would not be a very good idea in the Pacific Northwest because of the high amounts of rain in that area.
Interior paint finishes come in a number of textures. For ordinary homeowners there is no reason to select a texture rougher than "eggshell" or "orange peel." In years gone by much rougher textures (like "popcorn") were used for walls and ceilings in order to provide visual interest and dampen sound. These textures proved easy to damage and hard to clean, and so fell out of common use.
When it comes to home improvement, it is important to know which types of improvements will add to the value of your home and which will not. This will be important when it does come time to sell your house. Such general maintenance such as sealing the driveway and replacing the roof will not add to the value, however, an additional bathroom or a patio may.
Check with your local fire department to determine what you can, or cannot store in your garage. Storing combustible materials (such as gasoline or used oil) is usually prohibited. Fire departments can restrict the storage area in your garage to prevent fires or make it easier for them to control it.
Instead of investing in all new furniture, you may consider having your current furniture repaired and reupholstered by a professional. Many times older furniture is higher quality and with some affordable repairs and refurbishing you will have better furniture for less money than when you invest in low-price new furniture.
Jimmy proof the locks on your window sashes. Most inexpensive window sash locks can be opened from outside the window by inserting a thin blade into the crack and pushing. Fix this problem by updating to newer and more secure locks. All you have to do is remove and replace a few screws!
If you travel frequently and leave your house unattended, consider installing timer lights in your home. These lights come on according to a programmed schedule - giving the appearance that the home is occupied - even when it is not. This is an effective deterrent for would-be burglars who look for unoccupied homes when hunting for potential targets.
Store your glue bottles upside down! Ever get annoyed when the tips of your glue bottled inevitably dry up between uses? Removing those plugs of glue is no fun. To prevent this just turn your tightly capped glue bottle upside down and sit it down inside another container to keep it propped up.
Consider hiring a professional landscaper to help you design a beautiful garden for your front yard. You can decide how much maintenance and effort you are willing to put into the upkeep, and he or she can suggest plants and flowers that will allow you to meet that goal.
Be flexible with your time. While you may expect a project to be done in a few weeks, you may need to plan in advance for it to take a bit longer. Life can sometimes get in the way of project completion, so spare yourself from disappointment, by giving a little leeway.
Never take on a home improvement project that you aren't fully confident that you can complete. Even if you want to do-it-yourself, if you aren't confident that you can finish the project on your own you should obtain professional assistance. This will prevent you from realizing halfway into the project that you aren't able to get it done, which can cost more than getting a professional from the start.
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.
When trying to decide on a big-ticket home improvement project, such as new counter tops, choose a design that is durable and timeless. Leave the trendy colors and funky designs for your furniture and paint colors, which are easier to change, if you tire of them or decide to sell.
When it comes to home improvement, consider remodeling either your kitchen or bathroom first. These are two of the best ways that you can add the most value to your house. If possible, add an additional bathroom to your house as this is always a way to boost the value of your home.
Instead of using granite slab, use granite tile. Nice granite counter-tops made from slab can run into the thousands of dollars. You can cover the same area with granite tiles for a few hundred, and the aesthetics will be just as pleasing. Plus, you'll have a lot more money in your wallet to spend on another improvement for your home.
If you are looking to purchase new furniture, try not to get anything too big. The bigger the furniture is, the more cluttered a room will look. Instead, try to go with smaller, tasteful pieces. Arrange them in a way that the room is still easy to navigate in and out of.
The ideas in this article will help you discover how you can transform your current home into the house of your dreams with simple renovations. Home improvement is easier and less daunting than you might think, and is cost efficient when you are able to do some of the renovations yourself.
About the Author:
Casey Thebolt, CTV3 Enterprises, Thebolt Masonry Co
http://www.caseythebolt.org
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