SLC Handyman Service

Home Improvement Projects for First-Time Homebuyers

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 16:06:32 +0000

So, you finally bought that home you’ve been dreaming of, and now it is time to transform this new house into your idea of an ideal home. But as Five Star Management points out, all the expense and stress of buying a new home, the last thing you want is anything that will take money out of your pockets.

In this post, you will find ten easy home improvements you can do today to bring your house closer to your vision of a perfect home. You can DIY most of the projects if you are a bit handy, but they won’t cost much if you hire someone to do them for you.

1. Deep clean the home

Give the home a thorough clean to remove ingrained dirt and reveal the actual condition of the different surfaces and items in the home. Do not move that couch in until you have cleaned the floor. If there are carpets in the house, you may want to hire a professional carpet cleaner. Or if you prefer, you can rent a steam cleaner and give it a good cleaning.

2. Change your toilet seats

This is not the fanciest update and not one you would view as immediately necessary. But if there is one thing you don’t want to inherit, it is someone else’s toilet. Changing the toilet seat will give you peace of mind regarding your health and sanitation. It also offers you the chance to really clean around the bathroom.

3. Update the front entryway

The ideal would be to buy a new front door, preferably a stainless-steel front door. But you will also get good results by simply repainting your existing door. While you are at it, remember to change the door handles. For improved security, it is recommended that you change the locks to all outside leading doors, including the garage doors.

4. Replace light switches and power outlets

If your new home has enough power outlets, you will not need to add more. But you may need to upgrade the power outlets installed in the house. Old power outlets need to be replaced. Old school outlets that have no USB ports also have to go. Do not forget to change your light switches along the way.

5. Improve lighting

This is one of the most impactful changes you can make to your home. Improved lighting is not just for nighttime; it also makes much difference during the daytime. The three qualities you want in your lighting are as follows: you want sufficient illumination in all parts of the house (the right amount of lighting for a room depends on how the space is used); lighting fixtures should be ornamental and functional; and you want lighting that is sufficient and yet saves energy.

6. Refurbish your cabinets

This applies to cabinets in the bathroom and kitchen. Unless the cabinets are in bad shape, you do not need to replace them. A simple way to give a new lease of life to old cabinets is to reface them.

If the cabinet façade looks good, the next best thing is to simply repaint them. You may also want to repaint the surrounding areas to help your repainted cabinets fit in.

7. Add trim to interior doors

If the doors inside the home are standard solid panel doors, you can make them look more attractive and expensive with a small step. Adding decorative trim to doors and repainting them will make them look brand new. It costs way less than replacing your doors altogether, and you can finish all the doors within a single day.

8. Update all hardware in the home

These include door and cabinet knobs, handles and pulls, and plumbing fixtures like faucets. The impact of replacing these small items is massive. If you repaint your doors or cabinets without replacing the hardware, the old hardware will take away from the effects of the improvement. Changing plumbing hardware will light up sink areas in the kitchen and bathroom.

9. Improve your home’s energy efficiency

Energy-efficient features will cost you, but you can recoup that cost through future savings on utility bills. You want to install faucets, toilets, and showerheads with low- or multiple-flow settings for your home’s plumbing. Adding tint to windows will reduce the amount of direct sunlight in the house and help you cut down on cooling costs.

10. Change your mailbox

If the mailbox in front of your house is old, faded, and ready to fall over, it will give a wrong impression to visitors. A new mailbox and mailbox post do not cost a lot, but the effect of these small changes is almost unquantifiable. Mailboxes are small details you think people don’t notice, but the truth is they actually do.

The post Home Improvement Projects for First-Time Homebuyers appeared first on SLC Handyman Service.

Home Renovations with the Best Return on Investment

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 21:58:04 +0000

Adding a well-designed space to a to-be-sold home is one of the surefire ways to improve return on investment. When you’re remodeling a house in Salt Lake City, UT, investing in high-income areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and outdoor can make the living space more livable.

If you’re considering selling your property, you can make the following home renovations to get the best return on investment.

Top Home Updates That Pay Off

Best an ROI Home Renovations

Entry Door Replacement

You might not have considered changing or upgrading the entry door for higher returns. However, making some simple renovations or replacing the door can increase the ROI of your home by 90.7 percent. The average cost of replacing the entry doorway is $1410 and an average return on it is around $1280.

While your entry doorway is perhaps the simplest item on the renovation list, it adds great value to the home remodeling task. We say this because it is one of the things that your prospective buyers see when they visit the property for the first time.

In fact, it is your chance to make the first impression of the property you want to sell. Many buyers decide whether they want to buy the home or not during the first few minutes they spend at the home. That means, investing in the entry doorway is perhaps in your best interest as a home seller. As a modernly designed new door improves the curb appeal of the home, it can increase the return on investment also.

What To Know About Replacement Windows

Replace Windows

A new door, garage entryway, or fresh paint on the patio, nothing makes your property’s exterior look better than new windows. A stunningly designed new set of windows can upgrade the look of any home from outside and inside.

Make sure to choose windows that are not only beautiful and modern but also energy efficient. A set of new windows can save hundreds of dollars on energy bills which is definitely an add-on for new homeowners. The average ROI on the new windows is more than 89 percent.

What should I know before remodeling a bathroom?

Major Bathroom Remodel

Though minor Salt Lake City bathroom remodels can also improve ROI, major renovations can make a significant difference in the overall resale value of your home. It may include anything from upgrading sinks, faucets, and bathtubs to replacing amenities to a complete overhaul.

However, it is essential to consider, analyze, and criticize major aspects including plumbing, shower pan, flooring, and lighting. Assessing major renovation aspects before the task will help you determine how they will add to the appeal and boost ROI.

Starting from a clean slate is always a good idea when it comes to renovating bathrooms. Upgraded bathrooms with master baths and other features can help you convince the buyers that your property is a good decision. An average return on a major bathroom remodel is around $24,300 as it can increase ROI by 93.2 percent.

Things to Know Before Starting a Kitchen Remodel

Major Kitchen Remodel

Like major bathroom remodel, kitchen remodels can also impact the return on investment. A complete overhaul is always a better option in which you remodel everything in your kitchen. Many home renovation experts consider incorporating an open concept a great idea.

If possible, keep your kitchen’s floor plan as spacious as you can. Most buyers prefer buying homes with a lot of open space to cook or to host.

Removing unnecessary walls that separate the kitchen from the house can be the best thing to make your space looks bigger and airy. You can make a $39,900 return on a major kitchen remodel that can improve ROI by 90 percent.

How to Overhaul Your Backyard

Patio/Deck/Porch Addition

If there is a room, consider adding a patio, deck, or porch to your home before selling it. The additions of well-designed outdoor structures are excellent to improve the perceived value of a home.

For instance, a deck can increase the living space homeowners can use in the yard. It can increase the ROI by 90 percent and can be a selling point for buyers looking for a house with complete outdoor space.

Is finishing a basement worth the money?

Basement Remodel

Not all properties have a luxury of a well-maintained basement. Typically, they have an underground living quarter or area homeowners can use as a basement. If your property has the same area, remolding it is one way to increase the living space in the house.

Remember that a dingy and dark basement can hurt the resale value of your home. According to a recent survey of NAHB, most high-end buyers look for homes with finished basements. You can get an average return of $46000 (90.1 percent) on your basement remodel.

Turn the basement into a well-designed living area to add to your home’s selling point. Consider adding flooring, paint, and drywall to offer better heated square footage to bump your home into a varied price bracket.

Summing Up

The given home renovation ideas are excellent to improve your home’s overall value and get the best ROI on selling.

The post Home Renovations with the Best Return on Investment appeared first on SLC Handyman Service.

5 Home Improvements to Add Value to Your Home

admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 04:30:18 +0000

Fewer homes on the market are good news for sellers, but you still want to make sure that you are getting as much out of your home as possible. While many people think that this means making significant investments into huge home renovation projects, several simple home improvements can add value to your home.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future, here are a few projects to consider before listing. Keep in mind that many home remodeling companies have higher costs for remodeling projects in the spring and summer months

1. Curb Appeal

First impressions are important, which is why curb appeal plays a major role in your home’s value. You want to make your home inviting, so make sure you give your home’s exterior a bit of TLC. While you could invest in a major project like a new roof or siding, house painting, smaller projects make a big difference.

Opt for a new coat of paint to make your home look fresh. Also, make sure to keep your lawn trimmed and your flower beds lush and weed-free. Another simple fix is to make sure all clutter is carefully stowed away in a shed, garage, etc. The appearance of the outside of your home is what will make buyers stop or drive on by, so make sure to make the curb appeal a priority.

2. Entry Door

Your entry door is one of the first things someone notices about your home, so it should be memorable. If your current door is looking dingy, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint.

Currently, homes with darker-colored front doors, such as charcoal, are selling for a premium. However, if you really want to add value, invest in a steel entry door.

Given their durability, energy efficiency, low maintenance, and added security, many buyers are willing to make a higher offer when a home has a steel entry door. While they can be pricey, it is estimated that homeowners can recoup around 65% of their investment.

3. Landscaping

Everyone enjoys spending time in their backyard when it is well designed and functional. A well-designed yard can make a significant difference in your home’s value, sometimes adding up to 20%! When it comes to landscaping, make sure the area is cohesive and well thought out, using the proper materials.

You don’t need to invest in big custom projects. Instead, focus on things like keeping your lawn green, making sure your property has proper drainage, hiding irrigation lines, installing adequate lighting, and planting a mix of plants for different seasons. Make sure you go in with a plan to keep your yard from looking disjointed. If you are unsure of which direction to go, consider hiring a professional landscape designer.

4. Garage Door

This home improvement project is easy to overlook but can give you a massive bang for your buck! Many homeowners go about their day-to-day lives without considering the state of their garage door, but it’s a major concern for home buyers.

Replacing your existing garage door with a new one is a relatively easy, low-cost project that can add thousands of dollars in home value. Therefore, this project should be at the top of your list of priorities.

Plus, it will also help keep your home looking updated and improve your home’s curb appeal.

5. Energy-Efficient Windows

Replacing your windows can be overwhelming and adds up quickly. But, the value added to your home makes it worth the hassle. Deciding on which windows to install will depend on the style, your budget, and whether or not you want energy-efficient windows.

While all window replacements will give you a sizeable return and add value to your home, you’ll realize the most benefit from choosing energy-efficient windows due to home buyer demand.

Just make sure you purchase windows that have the right features for your climate and fit in your budget. Because this is a bigger ticket item, make sure you get quotes from multiple vendors to get the best value for your money.

Which One Should I Pick?

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling is another type of home improvement that adds value to a home, but it’s more expensive because of the costs of materials and labor. When deciding which home improvement project to pursue to add value to your home, you must proceed with caution.

Not all home improvements will give you the return that you expect. To help you decide, look at similar properties in your area in your desired selling price range. Comparing your home to these other homes will give you an idea of how to improve your home to bring in a better offer.

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