How to get the best bang for your buck by renovating - By Lisa DiBiase

Is your home due for some upgrades? Maybe you are buying a home that needs some minor upgrades or ever major!  There are many different approaches to improve your home from the inside out.  Home improvements prove to be a worthy investment because they can increase the value of your home and at the same time better your standard of living.  Below are a few ideas on how to get excited about tackling projects in your home...

Painting:

Probably the fastest way of making the most noticeable change would start with paint.  Painting can absolutely transform a space.  Most building experts would agree that painting a home, interior and/or exterior, is one of the most important aspects to any renovation.  Painting can change the mood of a particular room.  Some colors add cheer to the room and some offer a more subtle and relaxing aura.  Be sure to consult an interior designer or your realtor as to what the current trends are for paint colors and what would work best in your home.  Making the correct color choices can impact everything, so make sure you add value in the end.  No pressure!

Kitchen:

The most popular room to renovate is the kitchen. This is where the heart of the home is.  People gather and spend the most time in this room.  Some ideas to think about when tackling the kitchen are the floors, painting or replacing the cabinets, adding an island, accenting the backsplash with tile or stone and changing the lighting.  Today’s trends are leaning toward tile floors or hardwood with stylish rugs, adding granite, a unique stone or butcher block as counter tops.  Changing the lighting by adding pendant lights over an island and creating ambiance is key.  Lastly, out with the old and in with the new, appliances.  They do not have to be top of the line, but it sure makes a huge difference when they match!

Bathroom:

Much like the kitchen, renovating the bathroom can give you a great return on your investment.  In this room you will want to focus on tiling the floors, painting, change the light fixtures or even install a new vanity.  You can do as little or as much as you want on this project, depending on the immediate needs of the bathroom.  You do not have to spend a lot of money to change the look.  Renovating the bathroom can be quick and easy.

Outside:

Adding outdoor living areas to your home can add a unique value to offer more space for people to enjoy and cherish.  These areas can range from having a deck added, a patio featuring a stone fire pit and patio furniture or a screened porch or full sunroom installed.  Most likely, your budget will determine what you are able to have outside. Either way, any type of outdoor feature you add to your home will make it worth more.

Cost:

A good rule of thumb when making final decisions as to what to renovate and what your budget is really depends on whether you are making the changes for your personal enjoyment or if you are planning on selling the home.  Determining this upfront is how you can get the best bang for your buck in all renovations!  Overall, home renovations will not only increase value over time, but most importantly it will allow you to enjoy your home thereafter!

As I have said since the beginning, please call a local realtor for all your real estate needs no matter how big or small.  We are trained professionals here to make your life easier. It's best to surround yourself with the right team of professionals that can continuously give you the right advice for all your circumstances.

Lisa DiBiase is a realtor and owner at Landing Real Estate.