6 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home in 2020

Your home is likely the most valuable asset in your possession. It’s where you eat, sleep, relax, and spend quality time with loved ones. For most people, that alone is enough reason to continue investing in value-adding changes and improvements, be it a fresh coat of paint, some additional furniture or a full-fledged remodel.

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But investing in your home doesn’t just make it a more pleasant place to live. It also makes a reliable contribution to your long-term financial wellbeing. History has proven that real estate is a wise investment. It’s more dependable and lucrative than stocks, as well as offering a range of tax benefits.

Make the right improvements and you’ll reap the rewards come the day you decide to sell. Read on to discover six tried-and-tested ways to increase the value of your home in 2020.

Landscaping

Attractive, low-maintenance gardens are a major selling point. This is especially true for the front yard, as buyers value properties with high curb appeal. Tidying up your exterior can make a world of a difference. An affordable and reputable landscaping company such as ALD, Inc can work with you to make the right improvements.

Energy Efficiency

There are many reasons to identify how you can use less power. The most immediate benefit is a lower utility bill. Additionally, you can leverage an energy-efficient mortgage to reduce your rates. The value of your property will also increase, especially if it’s located in a particularly hot or cold region.
Start by switching out old light bulbs for LED units. Double-paned windows and enhanced insulation are also great investments. A programmable thermostat will significantly reduce heating and cooling expenses. While pricey upfront, solar panels are a reliable value-booster. A free energy audit can help you find more solutions.

Visual Space

Increasing physical square footage is usually a costly endeavor. Instead, increase the visual space in your home by making a few clever adjustments. This includes adding mirrors, reducing clutter, and replacing heavy draperies with vertical blinds or shutters. You can also install a few shelving units to clean up and organize busy spaces.

Air Quality

An often-overlooked factor, improving the air quality of your home can make a noticeable difference to its value. The best way to do this is by replacing carpeted floors with tiles or laminate, thus reducing the presence of allergens and contaminants. Hard surfaces are also more visually appealing and easier to maintain.

Ceilings

For added value and architectural interest, consider refreshing your ceilings. This can include removing popcorn ceilings, installing faux beams, adding a new coat of paint, and using beadboard panels to cover unattractive areas.

Bathroom Improvements

Upgrading your bathroom is always a smart move. You can anchor a towel bar, pick up a frameless shower door, retile the floor, replace old wallpaper, prop up a cabinet or install a ventilation fan. Anything that cleans up and modernizes your bathroom is bound to make a difference.

Conclusion

The possibilities are endless here. Take a look around your home and see where you can make an improvement.

Neat Interior Life Hacks - How to Avoid Mess

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I’m pretty sure most of us wonder why everything looks so beautiful in the photo from the net. But when you look around - it seems that there’s just a mess. Therefore, I’m going to write about how interior little stuff could affect our evaluation of ‘neat - not neat’.

So let’s talk about the mess, its components and how to minimize it at home. And I’ve got some pictures from the net, magazines and movie screenshots to illustrate my thoughts. The main enemy of order is clutter. And here we’re faced with the first paradox: the larger space, the easier is to maintain it! Yes, a big house gets dirtier than an apartment. It’s more difficult to get rid of it. But in case of a mess, it’s much easier because mostly it’s not difficult to find a place for all the stuff in a large room. Here, of course, it would be great to add a piece of advice like this: ‘That’s why you have to sell out your one-room apartment and buy a three-story house in the country.’ OK, but now let's look around and evaluate our space, how big it is and what it’s filled with.

The smaller your living place, the stricter you should be with the number of items that are in sight. Let's start with the first eye-catching spot - the hall. What is usually in the hallway: hat and coat hooks and shoes. The smaller the hall, the fewer clothes should be on the hooks. The clothing - all these jackets and coats - hanging on top of the other seems like cluttering up space. So there must be a minimal amount of stuff. And everything else - put in a closed wardrobe. The exact same rule works with shoes. It’s better to put all the shoes in a cupboard. It gets you very disciplined: get changed, clean and put away. Well, if you don’t have time for all of that, do it at least till the evening then, put it in the cupboard so that it doesn’t pile up.

Another trouble of the anteroom is the small racks where all unnecessary stuff is stored -  notes with phone numbers, keys, cards, ads, and many others you don’t even remember and need. I’ve got a large entrance hall but there’s not a single horizontal surface in it, with the exception of the windowsill where I could put on some things. This immediately makes you not to leave a bag in the hallway (and women tend to use more than one bag), but take it to its place and unpack it right away.

I totally understand that in cases of lack of space this seems like "getting juice from a stone," But I think it might be helpful to take into account for those who just started renovating and furnishing the housing.

Here’s an example of a failed anteroom - a lot of open space but there’s nowhere to put things away. As a result, all stuff will be hanged on the hooks and small garbage - on the shelves, and the hallway will end up with an untidy look.

Image by Photographee.eu

A very important element of order in the house is visual cleanliness. I’m into minimalism in everyday life. The most efficient fighter of the mess is an empty horizontal surface :) For instance: there are always lots of bottles, tubes and other unnecessary stuff collecting on the washbasin and on the bathtub. I have only a piece of soap on the basin.

And all other cosmetics I keep in a basket putting it in the cabinet, taking it out only at the moment when I need it.

This rule works not only in the bathroom. Here’s a kitchen for example. Ideally, the working surface in the kitchen should be completely empty. When there is not enough space or it isn’t thought over, lots of household appliances, knives, jars, cups, pots, and others are getting to pile up on the working surface.

Look at this picture. It’s already over packed, and it seems to be in order and neat. And if you suddenly need to take a pan in sight, or get your fruits dried, or put a pile of magazines with recipes on, throwing a potholder or a towel in a hurry on the table ... in sort words - as soon as any other item appears above this order, the general view turns into a mess.

Well, I believe that household appliances should also be hidden, and have to be taken out of the box only when you need it. All these food makers and blenders that are in sight - it seems to an overall feeling of disorder.

In living rooms, empty horizontal surfaces are also important.

Parquet with no carpet, long podiums, a reclining chair, a table where nothing is set, a bedside table or a chest of drawers where things are only inside but not outside. All this makes a feeling of cleanliness and neatness, even in small rooms.

In general, the less free space you have, the less small details should be in the interior. All sorts of figurines, vases and more - all this looks good in large spaces. Here is a good example: a coffee table with a shelf, but the top is still an empty horizontal surface.

An interior with lots of details in a small room works only if you are as hung up on cleanliness, as Sheldon Cooper. And even in this case, there’s too much ‘visual noise’ that seems like a mess.

Image by Spotern.com

And here’s the interior that for most people may seem boring.

Image by Jamie Hooper

But don’t forget that we don’t live in the picture. Any home decor will be surrounded by details of our real life. Here’s a magazine or an unread book. There’s a fruit basket. The sweatshirt was left on a chair. And if you have kids, then the various lego details, baby crayons, kid's bedtime storybooks are everywhere, as well as other pleasant little stuff would become vibrant colorful memories in your life. And if your interior is full of small details, then all these little things will seem like a mess right away. But a laconic and "boring" interior would easily endure such an "overload."

6 Home Improvements That Can’t Wait Until Spring

Waiting to do home improvements in the warmer weather makes it easier for you to take the family dog outside so they won’t be underfoot. There are also more options for family outings so that you won’t be in the way. Although these are good reasons to wait, several home improvements should be addressed as soon as possible.

1. Fix Your Roof

Your entire home may be compromised if you have a leaking roof. Leaks can damage your drywall and electrical systems. Wood that is exposed to water may rot. Left unchecked, water from a damaged roof can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can lead to structural damage. They also cause serious health issues for people who are exposed to them. Removing mold from a home can cost thousands of dollars. Turn to the roofing experts at RenoRoofRepair to have your roof repaired before leaks cause internal damage in your home.

2. Handle Plumbing Issues

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The type of plumbing pipe in your home may be an issue. Clay pipes were used in the 1800s and early 1900s. Clay breaks down over time. Roots can break through these pipes and cause blockages. Plumbers can use sewer cameras to visually inspect pipes to determine their condition and locate obstructions. Sometimes repairs can be limited to a section of pipe instead of replacing an entire line. A sewer backup can damage your home’s structure and lead to health problems for residents, so you should bring in the plumbers as soon as possible.

3. Foundation Repairs

Water can seep up through cracks in a bad foundation. This can cause damage to your flooring and any belongings that come in contact with the water. Mold may grow and damage your home’s structure and put your family’s health at risk. The foundation can shift, which may affect your floors, ceilings, windows, and doors. Windows and doors may not close properly, which can cause drafts and heat loss in the winter months. Foundation issues may also cause cracks in the walls. There are advantages to inspecting and fixing foundation problems in the winter. You’ll also prevent more damage to your home.

4. Upgrade Your Electrical Circuits

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In extreme situations, electrical problems can lead to an electrical fire. Serious electrical problems can also cause high electric bills. The cold winter months cause increased use because there are fewer daylight hours and people spend more time inside. The high demand for electrical systems can cause other issues, such as flickering lights or tripped circuits. If you have noticed these issues in previous years, it is a good idea to bring an electrician in and upgrade your electrical before the cold weather starts. This is why it is important to address electrical issues as soon as possible.

5. Doors and Windows

Replacing your doors and windows will help keep the bitter winter winds out and your heat in.Old doors and windows let in cold air. This can cost you hundreds of dollars in inflated heating costs each winter. Old doors and windows also cause increased strain on your electrical system, which can result in expensive electrical repairs. Water, frost, and snow can all get in through cracks and gaps around doors and windows. Over time, this can cause exposed wood to rot and prompt mold growth.

6. Home Heating

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Your furnace is one of the most important features in your home during the winter months. It needs to effectively produce and distribute heat throughout the entire house. Has your furnace serviced before winter starts? Replace filters to ensure that the air from your furnace is clean. If you notice that part of the house doesn’t seem to be warming up properly you will want to have the vents checked to make sure they aren’t blocked. If your furnace goes out, call for repairs immediately. Without heat, your pipes can freeze, which can lead to expensive plumbing repairs.

How to Shop for a Hard-Top Gazebo

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Imagine stepping out of your spa to relax on your chaise in your backyard. All of the sudden, you realize that not only is it blisteringly hot, but it looks like there are rain clouds forming in the distance. What should you do? No worries, because you have a hard-top gazebo, which means you are protected from the heat and the rain. If you are looking for a hard-top gazebo, you will need to make sure that you get the best gazebo for your money. Unlike a temporary canopy, hard-top gazebos are meant to be a more permanent structure, so you need to make sure that the gazebo you choose is exactly what you want. How do you go about picking the best gazebo for your needs? Here are our tips for finding a good hard-top gazebo.

Durability

More than other types of structures meant for outdoor use, a hard-top gazebo needs to be durable. You want the frame to be rustproof, and you also want the roof of your gazebo to be rustproof as well. Many hard-top gazebos are made of galvanized steel that is powder coated to resist rusting. You also want to make sure that the materials used in your hard-top gazebo can withstand the elements. For example, if you live in an area that gets heavy snow, you need to make sure that the gazebo you are looking at is able to withstand snow cover. Some gazebos also come with poles in case of heavy snow.

Purpose

Because your hard-top gazebo is a fairly permanent structure, you need to get a gazebo that suits your purpose. If you love to barbeque, you need to make sure that your gazebo has vents that will allow you to barbecue underneath it, because the smoke can vent out the top. If you are using the gazebo as a place to sit out and visit with friends on a summer evening, you may want to pick a gazebo with optional mosquito netting to guard against those pesky critters. You can also get an optional curtain for those backyard camping nights.

Take some time to think about what you want to use the gazebo for, so that when you go looking for your hard-top gazebo, you will know what to look for.

Price

When you are looking for a hard-top gazebo, you want to get the best gazebo for your money. Take some time and look around at different hard-top gazebos and read the manufacturer’s warranties to make sure you get exactly the gazebo you want. Also, you may want to read the reviews of your top five gazebo picks, so that you can narrow your choices down. Once you have some idea what you want, go and look at each gazebo. It may be that you find one gazebo that you really like more than your other choices, you’re in luck--we wish all of life’s decisions were that simple. Good luck, and happy shopping!

Can you skip property valuation before buying a new home?

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Property valuation before buying a new home is necessary for various endeavors, including taxation, property insurance, investment analysis, sales listing, and financing. Lenders usually need an appraisal before finalizing a loan to the buyer after they have accepted an offer, so property valuation is not a typical approach before buying a home. However, getting a property valuation before making an offer can put you in a better position to negotiate since you understand the market value of the property.

Factors to Consider When Conducting Property Valuation

A valuer conducts a written estimate of the market value of the property by considering various factors about the property and the selling prices of other homes in the neighborhood. The property valuation is based partly on its condition, the number of bathrooms and bedrooms, architectural features, and square footage. And then provides with the best house valuation reports in Perth.

Reasons for Property Valuation

Property valuation assists in protecting the lender by ensuring that the value of the loan given to the buyer is not more than the property value; an independent property valuation safeguards your financial interests. Getting a property valuation before you offer your bid enables you to know the value of the property before contracting a legally liaising offer. It can assist you in saving a lot of money if you reduce your offer concerning the property valuation.

Basic Property Valuation Concepts

An accurate property valuation depends on systematic data collection. Precise information, including details about the specific property, and general information about the neighborhood, city, region, and country where the home is located, are gathered and examined to determine a value. Property valuation utilizes three basic concepts to establish the value of a property.

Approach 1: Income Capitalization Concept

It is usually known as the income approach and is grounded on the net income that your home generates and the needed rate of return by the investor. It is utilized to evaluate the value of properties that generate income like shopping centers, office buildings, and apartment complexes. Vautilizing the income approach can be quite honest when the home at hand is anticipated to generate income in the future, and when its costs are steady and predictable.

I consulted property valuers when buying a new home, and they performed the following steps to estimate the value of a home for me:

• Estimated the potential yearly income of the home
• Considered the rent collection losses and vacancy to estimate the right gross income.
• Deducted the annual expenses of operation to determine the yearly net income.
• Estimated the cost that an investor would offer for the income generated by the specific class and type of home, that was achieved through estimating the rate of capitalization, or rate of return.
• Used the rate of investment to the yearly net operating income of the property to get an estimate of the value of the property.

Approach 2: Cost Concept

This approach can be utilized to determine the value of a property that has been improved by another or other buildings. The method involves various estimates of value for the subject property, including the land, while considering depreciation. These estimates are summed up to determine the value of the whole improved property. The approach assumes that an ideal buyer will not pay more for an enhanced home than the cost of purchasing an equivalent property or build a comparable building. This concept is helpful when the home being valued is a type that does not commonly sell and does not produce income. Examples of such properties are government buildings, hospitals, and schools.

The cost of building can be estimated in various ways including the quantity survey approach that determines the price and quantity of raw materials required to improve the property and the cost of installation; the unit-in-place approach that estimates costs based on the cost of construction per unit measure of the specific components of building; and the square-foot approach which estimates the cost per square feet and then multiplied by the total square feet of the building.

Approach 3: Sales Comparison Concept

This method is mostly utilized to estimate the value of single-family land and property. The property valuation is based on comparing the subject property with other comparable properties that have been sold recently. To get a valid comparison, the sold property must:

• Have been sold under comparable market conditions
• Have been sold within a year in a competitive and open market
• Be similar to the property at hand as much as possible

The valuer should use at least four comparable properties in the property valuation to get the right estimate.

Conclusion

Accurate property valuation is crucial to sellers, buyers, insurers, investors, and sellers of real estate property. While property valuation is mainly conducted by experienced professionals, anybody involved in property transactions can benefit from getting a general understanding of the various property valuation methods.