Cosmetic fixes can immediately improve your home’s appearance and ambiance, but identifying what’s needed and coming up with a home improvements plan can help take your remodeling goals from wish list to doable. Whether you plan on moving fifteen years from now when you become an empty nester, or you know you’ll need a bigger house sometime in the near future, increasing your home’s value today will pay dividends tomorrow.
Go Behind the Scenes
If you’ve never been up on the roof, seen the gutters up close and personal, or had a really good look at the foundation of your home exterior, this might be a good place to start. Especially if your home is older, hiring someone to inspect the electrical system or any other area of the house that is not easily accessible to you will give you a clearer idea of what needs to be done. It will also help you budget for big ticket renovations like replacing the roof and gutters or shoring up the foundation or redoing the plumbing.
Paint for Indoors and Out
Nothing says new and improved faster than a coat of paint. A new paint color on the exterior walls or freshly painted window trim instantly increases curb appeal. Rooms painted in timeless colors that don’t date easily add value to your home.
Become Energy Aware
No matter how old (or young) your home is, there are things you can do to make it more energy-efficient. Replacing the current windows with double or triple pane glass, not only keeps heat in, it will keep noise out. Finally decided to quit painting your home exterior and install siding? Choose a sound barrier/insulated house wrap to help decrease your energy bills. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit your utility company’s website for tips and ideas on how to turn your house into an energy-efficient home.
Put it on Paper
Once you’ve identified what needs to be done, first divide into two lists (one for indoor, the other for outdoor), and then prioritize each item. Depending how detailed you want to be, you can also assign each project a budget cap and an estimated completion date or deadline. Increasing your home’s value with a combination of cosmetic fixes and major updates should be a long distance marathon and not a 10-yard dash – focus on one project or area of your home and take your time.
