3 Great Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

When you purchase your home, you usually don’t view it as a one-time transaction; instead, it is a long-term investment that, with proper care, can pay off when you decide to sell it. Even in a good housing market, however, the value of your home might not increase as much as you’d hoped. Here are some things to consider ahead of time that will add value to your home — not to mention making it even more enjoyable to live in.

Additions

Since a home is such a long-term investment, it’s not surprising that you might find yourself outgrowing your initial purchase. There are numerous possibilities for an addition, from an extra bedroom to finishing a basement to adding a whole new level. Aside from some extra breathing room, that increased square footage will mean increased value, too. To find a reliable contractor, ask around for good references or even google some near you, like room additions anne arundel county md.

Upgrade or Remodel

Any room in need of a little fixing up can benefit from a renovation, but the kitchen and bathroom are the most popular when it comes to remodels due to their heavy use. Don’t let that deter you from finishing off smaller projects too, like a new paint job, new floors or a new roof.

A Touch of Landscaping

Everyone knows the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but that usually doesn’t keep people from judging anyway. A house is no different, and heightened curb appeal is equally as important as interior attractiveness. Simply keeping a neat, trimmed front lawn and occasionally rejuvenating the front door with a new coat of paint can bump up that final value. More extreme landscaping endeavors, such as adding a flower bed or water sculpture, will result in a larger payoff.

Whatever route you decide to take, constant upkeep and maintenance is a great way to ensure your house remains the same worth as when you bought it. Add a few extra perks throughout the years, and you’ll certainly get your money back when you sell — plus some.

               

Put Your Windows to Work for You

When you sit down to make a list of home improvement projects to tackle this spring, consider adding new windows as an item. Windows not only improve the curb appeal and resale value of a house, but they can also save you money on heating and cooling costs, as well as extend the life of your furniture. Take a good look at your windows and decide if an upgrade is due.

Beauty and Value

If your windows are showing wear--cracked, peeling caulk; warped, rotting frames or broken panes--it is time to replace them. New windows make your home look more appealing and if you are considering selling in the next few years, you will get more for a home with air-tight, energy-efficient windows. Once you have done a visual inspection yourself, look up some window contractors lake county il for a professional opinion and estimate. 

Financial and Energy Savings

While new windows improve the appearance of your home, they will also save you money in heating and cooling costs. Residential windows manufactured today are made with Low-e glass, which is much more energy efficient than that used before the 1970s. Low-e glass has a transparent coating of metal that reflects sunlight and decreases the amount of heat that enters your home in the summer, and the amount that leaves it in the winter. Another way that modern, up-to-date windows can save you money is through multiple panes of glass. Old windows were made with only a single pane, but today's offerings have two and even three panes. A gas, usually argon, is pumped into the space between the panes, adding to the window's insulating properties.

Long Lasting Color

Not only does sunlight heat up your house, but it also bleaches and ruins fabric. Your upholstered furniture and draperies will last much longer and retain their color better when you replace older windows with a more energy efficient variety. Great Aunt Cora's fainting couch will thank you for it.New windows have many advantages. They are beautiful and energy efficient, lower your heating and air conditioning bills and protect your heirloom furniture.