Archives for September 2019

No matter if you’re preparing to sell your home or are finally ready to make some upgrades, it makes the most sense to spend money on home renovation projects that have a good return on investment. By taking on projects that increase the value of your home, a worthwhile home upgrade all but pays for itself once the project is complete. Here are five ways in which you can increase the value of your home.

1. Upgrade the Exterior.

When most people think of increasing the value of their home, they think of interior projects that they can complete. But, the biggest step in increasing the value of any home starts with its exterior. What your home looks like on the outside sets a first impression and also has a huge impact on curbside appeal. A home that looks well taken care of on the outside is likely to show pride of ownership on the inside as well.

In upgrading the exterior of your home, there are many changes you can make. Start with the landscaping. Manicure your lawn by cutting the grass, edging the gardens, planting new flowers for a pop of color, and maybe even adding a fresh layer of mulch for a finished look.

Other outside projects to consider include:
● Adding a fresh coat of paint to shutters, porch, hand-railing, etc.
● Installing a walkway
● Adding a new mailbox

By making upgrades to the outside of your home, you can create a more welcoming and tailored look. This is a must if you’re selling in the near future or if you just want your home to stand out amongst the crowd.

2. Replace Old Windows & Doors.

Old windows and doors are problematic for many reasons. First, windows and doors that have reached their end of lifespan tend to look old. No one likes to see cloudy and discolored glass when looking out of a window or door.

Another reason for replacing old windows and doors is to make your home more energy efficient. Older windows and doors tend to be drafty, which means outside air is constantly being let into your home. This makes it harder for your HVAC unit to maintain the internal temperature which means higher energy usage.

When you replace old windows and doors, you don’t have to worry about drafts, leaks, or unsightly glass. Knowing where to buy replacement windows and doors will help to ensure that you’re buying quality windows that will last for a decade or longer!

3. Remodel the Bathroom.

A total bathroom remodel can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The good news is that you can upgrade the look and feel of a bathroom in your home and get a good return at resale time with a minor bathroom remodeling project.

There are many small changes you can make in a bathroom including adding new lines of caulk, repainting the walls, installing new light fixtures, or laying new flooring. All of these smaller projects together can have a huge impact in bringing your bathroom into modern times.

Other upgrades worth considering include installing a new vanity or refinishing the bathtub to restore its glossy white appearance.

4. Make Kitchen Updates.

Similar to a full bathroom remodel, a complete kitchen update can also be quite expensive. But, by making small changes in the space, you can make it look more modern. Start with the cabinets, especially if your home is old and you’re still using the original ones. If you don’t have thousands to spend on brand new cabinets, refinish and resurface them for less. Finish off with new hardware and voila, you’ve got a great new look!

Other upgrades to make to the kitchen include:
● New flooring
● Stainless steel appliances
● Bold light fixture
● Fresh coat of paint

The kitchen is the heart of any home, so take the needed time and effort to make yours look amazing!

5. Add a New Room.

Does your home have a viable attic? If so, instead of using the space for storing Christmas decorations and random knickknacks, turn it into another bedroom. This not only adds space for a growing family or for guests to sleep, but the extra bedroom will be quite worthwhile if it ever comes time to sell. The more usable space a home offers, the more valuable it is.

With these five home renovation projects, you can greatly increase the value of your home. No matter if you’re looking to sell in the near future or just wanting to upgrade your home while getting a good return on investment, these are projects worth tackling.

If you have tips about increasing home value, be sure to leave them in the comments below. And if you’ve got questions about buying or selling a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!

Do you have an unfinished basement in your home? If so, chances are you’ve wanted to do something more with that room at some point. You have an entire room in your home that you don’t want to spend time in, simply because it isn’t finished yet. By finishing the basement, you can turn it into a spare room, an office, or even just a place to hang out. Here are a few tips for getting started and finally finishing your basement.

1. Replace the Floor

One of the first things you’ll want to think about is replacing the floor. In your unfinished basement you may have a hard, concrete floor, possibly even with cracks in it. Before you do anything else, you’ll want to get a good floor in there. Trying to replace the floor after you’ve done everything else in your basement will be more difficult, so it’s better to get it out of the way now.

To replace your floor, you have a few options. If you want to put new concrete down, you’ll either want to hire someone to do this, or look into getting a concrete form rental. After that you’ll have to think about whether you want to put some hardwood over the concrete, or if you want to lay down some carpet to make the room more comfortable.

2. Add New Walls

Another thing you’ll want to do before you tackle the rest of the room is the walls. In some unfinished basements, there are concrete walls around the edges that don’t look so great. You can cover these up, or divide the basement into multiple rooms by adding in some walls. Adding some drywall is an easy way to remedy this, helping to make your basement look the way you want.

3. Cover the Ceiling

Does your unfinished basement have some pipes or wires running along the ceiling? If so, you probably want to cover these up if you’re going to spend time in the basement. You can add some affordable tiles to the ceiling to cover up some of the insides of your home, but keep in mind this will make the ceiling a little lower in that room. Make sure you’ll still have room to walk around before you start adding things to the ceiling.

4. Regulate the Temperature

With the large projects complete, now you can move onto things that will help make the room more enjoyable. To do this, one of the first things you should consider is the temperature. Basements are often large and drafty, making them colder or more humid than the rest of the home. To regulate the temperature in your basement, you have a few options. If your basement is too cold, consider adding in a wood burning stove or pellet stove to introduce more heat. You can also go with a plug-in electric heater if the room is small enough. In New Mexico, a simple humidifier can also come in handy.

5. Decorate the Room

Your basement is starting to look better, but it isn’t quite done yet. With the major stuff out of the way, now you can focus a little more on the small details. This means decorating the room to suit your style. Paint your new walls, hang up some shelves, add some potted plants – whatever it is you want to do. Empty, colorless drywall will lessen the appeal of the room, and you’ve spent so much time finishing your basement, that you should go that extra step to make things look truly great.

6. Add Some Furniture

Finally, what finished basement would be complete without furniture? Find a nice desk for your office. Order yourself a comfortable couch to watch TV on – along with the TV. You likely have a few ideas in mind for what you want to do with that room, so go out and get the furniture that suits your needs. If you’re working on a budget, try searching some local garage sales or a discount furniture store to get started.

There are a lot of benefits to finishing the basement in your home. Not only does it give you another room to enjoy in your home, but it can also help to improve the value of your home. The best part is that finishing your basement doesn’t have to be difficult, and with a little time and effort, you can do a lot of it yourself.

Do you have any questions or tips about home basement finishing? Please leave them in the comments below. And if you have any questions about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!