Top 7 Things To Give The Value Of Your Home A Kick

In no particular order, we’re presenting the top things you should consider to give the value of your home a jump. Looking to sell in the near future? Or just looking ahead and planning for what may come down the road when it’s time to sell? Either way, doing some home improvement or remodeling is never a bad thing.

Our ideas range from simple, low cost upgrades to full remodeling and renovation projects. Feel free to pick and choose a project or two that suits your timeline and budget and go from there.

Take a look at Chase’s Home Value Estimator which will give you some guidance as to the current value of your house. Of course, there are many other factors to consider when using this tool including recent upgrades and home improvements you’ve made. The estimator primarily uses local trends and recent home sale data from homes around you and on your street. The reality of selling your home and the final amount will depend on this data but also the unique features and upgrades done to your home since you purchased it.

#1 - Upgrade Your Flooring

Most people would love for the majority of their home to have hardwoods in it. Unfortunately, that’s not always realistic and hardwood flooring can be cost prohibitive to many. Nonetheless, the floors in your home should be up-to-date, clean and stylish. There are many options on the market for flooring — from tile to carpeting, hardwood and pre-fabricated and laminate. Not sure where to begin? Check out a local flooring dealer, find a reliable local contractor, or ask an expert online (see Mohawk, Shaw or Armstrong).

#2 - Don’t Forget The Garage

Sure, most people don’t spend a ton of time hanging out in the garage but you should’t ignore this very valuable area of your home. Take the time to clean it out, clean it up and spruce it up. Install new shelving units, organize your tools and other essentials. And don’t forget the floor. You may want to consider applying an epoxy coat to the floor which will bring it new life (and a hefty dose of shine to boot!).

#3 - Boost The Bathroom

Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the most common room new home buyers focus on. Aside from doing a complete re-model or bathroom renovation, start small and make some minor improvements. Upgrade the hardware on cabinets and towel holders (and don’t forget the toilet paper holder)!. Purchase a new vanity or mirror (many companies sell pre-matched vanity/sink/countertop units). Fix broken tiles or consider re-tiling the floor, walls or bathtub area. Even a relatively simple upgrade like a new toilet can make a world of difference.

#4 - Invest In A Cleaning Plan

We all love a perfectly clean, spotless and great-smelling home. And so do home buyers! If you’re putting your home on the market, invest in a professional house cleaning service. They’ll take care of areas you may have forgotten about and are pros and finding hidden (and not-so-hidden) dust and dirt. Most major metropolitan areas have commercial services that can come clean your house. If you’re going to go with a private cleaner or someone you know, be sure to read reviews, ask for testimonials and verify they have any necessary insurance.

#5 - Curb Appeal Is Everything

From simple flowers to a professional, well thought out plan for overhauling your home’s landscaping, everyone agrees that curb appeal is critical. Remember, the outside of your home makes a huge first impression. What better way to get a potential buyer in a good mood than to have them be uber impressed with your outdoor areas?

#6 - Make Over Your Kitchen Cabinets

The work needed to make over your kitchen cabinets will depend on what you currently have. How old are they? How do they look? Do they match the decor in your kitchen or has everything else changed but the cabinets? A simple paint or sand and re-staining job may do the trick. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, find a professional who can resurface your cabinets for you. You may want to consult with an interior designer to help pick out paint or stain colors that will really pop and give your kitchen a fresh look. Also, don’t forget the hardware. Sometimes new hardware alone can make a big difference.

#7 - A Fresh Coat Of Paint

One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! Most of us can handle this project on our own. The hardest part? Choosing the right colors! You don’t want to choose a color that is too bold. Imagine a red wall in your home and the potential buyer hates red! Pick something modern, perhaps a bit trendy and of course—neutral. Most paint runs $20-$35/gallon. Consult with your local home improvement or paint store regarding which type of paint is best. Many of them have primer built right into the paint which can save you time.

There you have it. 7 areas to think about when considering selling your home. We could go on all day with hundreds more but this is a great start!

Image courtesy of nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Kitchen Remodeling — When is the right time?

Trying to decide when the best time to remodel your kitchen is? Nervous about pulling the trigger because you think it will cause chaos in your home?

We understand. Remodeling any room in your house will definitely disrupt the flow of things for a bit until the project is complete. The two rooms that tend to have the biggest disruption are the kitchen and bathroom.

At Trinity, we focus on making sure your daily activities aren't side tracked. Each of our team members are courteous of your space and time. Our project managers will work with you to map out a timeline for when the remodeling work will be happening throughout the day and when any noise disruption may occur.

As we mentioned in our most recent blog post, spring time is the perfect time to get started on a remodel of your home's kitchen. If you're worried about how much it will cost to renovate your kitchen, give us a call or contact us and we'll provide a 100% free estimate for you.

In closing, there is no "wrong" time to remodel your kitchen. With the crazy Rochester weather, the natural choice is spring, summer or fall but don't completely discount winter, either. It's possible to renovate your home anytime throughout the year.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Kitchen Remodeling On A Budget

This home in Rochester features a newly remodeled kitchen by Trinity.

It seems like everyone gathers in the kitchen. Think of the last party or gathering you had at your home. Where does everyone linger? In the kitchen, of course! Maybe it’s the smell of your cooking or perhaps they just like your décor. In any case, having a kitchen that you and your guests love is a major source of satisfaction as a homeowner.

Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive. Forbes magazine reported the national average cost for a high-end kitchen makeover is now more than $53,000! While this is certainly money well spent and the costs of doing a kitchen remodel in Rochester may be lower than the national average, most of us are looking for ways to reduce the expense while still having a great end result.

The first step is to research what you’d like in your kitchen and assessing your budget. Next, spend time researching kitchen remodeling contractors in Rochester. It’s so very important to find a company you’re comfortable with and one that offers you a fair price.

When shopping for kitchen appliances think outside the box and be on the lookout for sales. Your renovation company may also be able to recommend some places to shop that perhaps you didn’t consider.

You’re likely going to have to compromise when renovating your kitchen. If you can’t afford all the bells and whistles (who wouldn’t love quartz countertops!?), investigate other options that give you a similar look or functionality at a reduced cost. For example, Corian® countertops look as nice as granite in some cases.

Another idea is to renovate your kitchen in phases. It doesn’t make sense to chop your remodel up into multiple phases but doing two might make sense. First, focus on the major structural changes (cabinets, layout, floors and counters). Then wait a bit and save money for the new appliances or sink. Ask your contractor to help you brainstorm ways to reduce your budget without cutting critical corners.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com