Home upgrades can be great ways to give your home a much-needed makeover, gain extra space, make it more comfortable, and more energy-efficient. Not only can you make your home more aesthetically appealing, but you can take comfort in knowing that all your hard work will save you money and pay off for you in the long run. Here are 6 home upgrading tips that have the potential to do just that!

1. Lighting

To give your home a cleaner, updated look, replace old and inefficient light fixtures with bright chandeliers or other more contemporary light fixtures. And while you’re at it, be sure to use CFL or LED light bulbs. Though pricer than incandescents, when you consider how long they last and how energy-efficient they are, you’ll be glad you did. Not only will you save energy and money in the long run, but you’ll keep your house cooler during the hot summer months ahead.

2. Flooring

New flooring can give your home a tremendous lift! As we saw with my post, 7 Simple Steps for Modernizing Your Kitchen, hardwood flooring is still the most popular choice with buyers, but laminate is also a good option, particularly if you’re on a budget. However, hardwood flooring is still the best option to keep your home’s value up since many buyers look for this natural, solid, and durable flooring in homes today.

3. Doors & Windows

Though you might have forgotten as of late, Albuquerque has had its share of cold nights this winter. So make sure your doors and windows are airtight. With windows and doors closed, you can hold a lit stick of incense near window and door frames where drafts might sneak in and watch for smoke movement. Note what areas need caulk, sealant, and weather-stripping. It’s never a bad idea to upgrade to A-rated energy efficient windows, either. Before you start saving on your energy bills, consider windows with a good soundproof rating, too.

4. Porch/Patio

Curb appeal is everything, so if you have a front porch (or even a back patio) that’s looking worn and drabby, it may be worth refreshing it by giving it a fresh coat of paint. I discuss how to efficiently paint your home without breaking your bank in my post, 7 Tips For Saving on Home Painting.

5. En Suite

Tired of family members fighting over the bathroom every morning? An en suite could be the answer. Though some homeowners add an en suite by converting a small bedroom, in order to maximize the resale value, it’s best to try to find the space without losing a bedroom. You may be able to use a small part of your landing or or a larger closet or just a small part of a bedroom. In the end, en suites are a plus for many homebuyers.

6. Conservatory

Saving perhaps the biggest investment for last, building a conservatory can not only be well worth the additional space, but the increased home value as well. Potentially increasing the value of your home by up to five percent, conservatories provide a bright and airy space to relax in. The benefits are only limited by your imagination! Use this extra room for a dining room or even a playroom. They also offer a way to enjoy your garden and feel closer to nature all year round, even in the winter!

Whether you’re going to enjoy these upgrades as a homeowner or looking to increase the value of your property to sell, I find nothing is more satisfying and rewarding than making home improvements!

If you have any home upgrade ideas of your own, please share them in the comments below. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling your next home in metro Albuquerque, contact me today!

You can increase the worth of your property and sell it at a higher cost than you purchased it. Simply put, the ultimate goal of investing in a property is to make a tidy profit. You can certainly make renovations while increasing appeal to potential buyers. The following are five ways you can remodel your property to increase its worth.

1. Paint the Property.

A fresh coat of paint can make a lot of difference in your property. Use neutral colors to revive the old and chipped walls. The property will look fresh, bright, and new. For a professional job, hire a painting contractor. They are trained and experienced and will completely transform your property by just painting it. They will make it more desirable.

2. Revamp the Kitchen.

The kitchen is the heart of every home. A nice kitchen will impact the value of your home in a big way. Remodel the kitchen and install a modern design. Remove the old kitchen appliances and replace them with modern ones. Replace the old countertops with something more appealing like granite. A revamped kitchen will give you a good return on your investment.

3. Upscale the Bathroom.

Just like the kitchen, buyers will put a substantial amount of focus on the bathroom. If the bathroom sinks, toilet bowls, the tiles, or any other part of the bathroom is stained, you need to replace those items. For the master bathroom, consider adding a spa bathtub. If possible, you can have a separate toilet room from the bathtub or the shower. Install proper and adequate lighting in the bathroom.

4. Sharpen the Landscape.

With all the inside work, let’s not forget the outside! Plant a few indigenous trees, flowers, and grass. The colorful greenery will make your property beautiful from the outside. You can hire a professional landscaper to help you landscape. After planting trees, flowers and grass, ensure they are well-groomed and watered to keep them looking healthy. This increases the curb appeal of your entire property. The plants improve the air circulation around your property. This will definitely increase the value of your property substantially.

5. Replace Windows and Doors.

Consider replacing windows and doors with contemporary ones. Install well insulated doors and windows as they help reduce the outside noise. Additionally, insulated doors and windows will enable you to cut the cost of energy. Modern windows will improve the aesthetic look of your home and therefore, the value of your property.

These five simple and affordable techniques can definitely help increase the value of your home. Be careful not to spend too much while improving the face of your property. Set a budget and adhere to it. You can always get the help of a property consultant.

Do you have any tips on affordably improving the value of your property? Please leave them in the comments below!

And if you have any questions about home design or about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!

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!

Quite often, I’m asked by homeowners and sellers alike for advice on remodeling. Here are my six best tips for a successful remodel.

1. Start with a realistic budget.

Don’t rush into your project without seriously budgeting for materials, supplies, and tools! Try to be as specific as possible so you know you’ll have the budget to finish the project. Be sure to set a completion date.

2. Stay consistent with your home’s overall style.

Creating a contemporary addition to a classic farmhouse or changing a room that becomes out of sync with the rest of the house is never a sound remodel.

3. Don’t attempt to do everything yourself.

Many people hear the price of a contractor, and try to do the entire project themselves. Price around. Recognizing your limitations may be difficult, but you only have so many skills and so much knowledge.

4. Don’t necessarily hire the lowest bidding contractor.

Going with the lowest bidder may not always be the best choice. Check to see whether your contractor is stable, including being licensed and insured.

5. Consider the effect on your property value.

When considering the importance of projects, be sure to put heavier weight on those that will have a good impact on your home’s resale value.

6. Don’t over-personalize.

In general, avoid making permanent changes that are far from neutral, unless you’re really advertising a particularly valuable niche within your home.

By following these six tips, you’ll be well on your way to a home that will make the most of its value when you do decide to sell! If you have any remodeling tips you’d like to add, feel free to 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!