Summer is the perfect time to think about Home improvements, but thinking smart about home improvements is critical. Use these guidelines when trying decide what home projects to tackle next:

 

  • The first thing to think about is the return on your investment. Building an addition is costly and is best weighed against how much longer you plan on owning your home. Understanding how much value a project adds to your home or how much your family will enjoy the new features will help you make a better decision about what projects are worth doing.
  • When considering home improvements, be careful not to price yourself out of the market. Adding a large addition to a home that is in a neighborhood of smaller homes may limit the return that you can get on your investment.
  • Make your money go further. While a complete remodel is nice, often giving the room a "facelift" is a good alternative and is less pricey than the remodel.
  • Adding curb appeal is always a great home improvement project. New flowers, trees, pavers, and more can add a polished appearance to the exterior of a home.
  • Updating appliances and choosing energy efficiency models is always a good idea. Not only will the new appliances help to modernize your home, they will also save money when it comes to energy costs.
  • Instead of adding on to your home, reinventing the existing space is a great way to be smart about a home improvement project. Turning an unused room, attic, or closet into a space that can be used is a great way to make your money go further.
  • Since a bathroom or kitchen remodel can get pretty pricey, a great solution is to replace fixtures and hardware. The change is definitely noticeable and budget-friendly.

Thinking smart about home improvements not only saves time and money, but it also helps to ensure that the homeowners receive the full benefit of their investment.