What Home Improvements Will Pay Off Big?

Many projects do add value to your home and improve your family’s quality of life.  By doing these projects now, before you move, your family can really enjoy them.  Here are a few ways to increase the value of your home.

Remodeling the Kitchen- The kitchen is usually considered the heart of the home because it is the general gathering place when you are entertaining.  By updating your kitchen, you can recoup 60-120% of your investment as long as you don’t go overboard.

Bathroom Addition- If your home only has one bathroom, consider adding an additional one.  Adding an additional bathroom, you can recoup 80-130% of whatever you spend.

Reinventing a Room- Adding more square footage to your home with a new room can be an incredibly expensive project but you can recoup 50-83% of what you spent.  However, if you reinvent an existing space in your home you can save money.  Consider finishing your basement or turning your attic space into a bedroom.

Add Energy Efficient Windows- Old drafty single pane windows are a major turn off when your home is on the market.  Energy Star can save you up to $500 a year in heating and cooling costs.  You can also expect to recoup 60-90% of your costs.

Deck Addition-Adding a deck to your home increases the value of your home.  Outdoor living spaces have become more desirable, especially when people stay home for vacation.  If you decide to add a deck addition you can recoup about 65-90% of your investment.

How to Fix Squeaky Floors?

If you’ve ever heard a floorboard squeak and creak when people walk across it even if they try to be quiet, you know how annoying it can be.  A squeaky floor is not a big deal and will not harm your home if it is not fixed.  Fixing it will only give you a sense of relief and quiet.

Fixing the squeak is a two-person job.  One person must walk around the floor to create the squeak again while the other person is under the house pinpointing where the sound is coming from.  If the floor is above unfinished or crawl space, the easiest fix is to smear some carpenter’s glue on a thin wood shim and gently tap it between the joists and subfloor or between two floorboards.  Try not to pound so hard that you raise or buckle the floor.

If you can’t easily access the noisy floor, you will have to work from above.  Drive ring-shark flooring name or cement-covered flooring nails into the steams between rubbing parts or if separating floor from subfloor is causing the creak, drive two nails at opposite 45-degree angles into joists.  The joists can be easily located with a stud finder.  Once you have found the holes, fill them with wood filler.

How to Tackle Home Improvement Projects?

You just purchased your first home but it’s time to make improvements to it. With a little sweat equity and skills, you can do anything!  Plan out your project and complete it with these helpful steps.

Prioritize- It can be easy to go overboard immediately with all the projects you want to do at once.  Start by making a list of everything you want to achieve and determine which one will come first.

Know your skill level-DIY projects have various skill levels and it’s important to determine that before you start.  From the basics of hanging pictures to installing a new air conditioner or hanging curtains, you want figure out what you can handle and what you will need to call a pro for.

Prep- Once you have determined which project to start first, it’s time to prep.  Plan for time, money, and space.  DIY projects always take more time than you think they will and more money.  Consider doubling your budget and plan for extra time- take a day off work to complete or get started on the project.

Perform- Wake up early and eager to start your project.  While the coffee is brewing, survey the situation you’ve planned, prepped and laid out everything you might need.  Start the project slowing and remember to take breaks to stay safe.  Keeping yourself hydrated will help with your concentration.  Take your time and step back frequently to look at the project as a whole.  Once the job is complete, make sure you clean up well and return the space to a functioning state.

Calling in the pros- If you get into trouble and aren’t sure how to proceed, do a little research.  Others may have tried the same project and encountered the same issue.  If you can’t find any answers consider asking a hardware store, calling a friend, looking at the problem from a different angle or call in an expert.  Admitting defeat can be a let-down but the experience and knowledge is still worthwhile.

How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions?

Last year’s resolutions have come and gone but now it’s time to make a new one and stick to it.  It’s a new year and a new opportunity to achieve your goals and stick with your resolution.  Follow these steps and it will be easy!

Make it something you really want- Don’t make a resolution that you “should” want or what other people tell you to want.  It has to fit with your values.

 Limit your list to a number you can handle- It’s best to stick to two or three resolution that you intend to keep.

Be specific- To be effective, resolutions and goals need to be specific.  If you want to work out more say “I’m working out at the gym everyday at 5:30pm.”

Automate- Automating financial goals can maximize your odds for success without you having to do anything.  If your goal is to save $3,000 this year, calculate the amount out of each paycheck, then arrange to have it automatically deposited into your savings.

Make a plan- Rather than starting one daunting goal, create smaller steps to reach it- have an action plan and reward yourself for achieve those goals.

Be prepared to change some habits- You must be open to change and accept it.  Your resolution may require some change and you must embrace it.

Write down the goal and visualize it regularly- Place your written goals in a spot you look at everyday or repeat your goals to yourself everyday.

To tell or not to tell- Have someone hold you accountable for your goals and have them check in on your progress.

Forgive yourself- If you fall off the wagon jump back on- never give up!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Warmest Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year!  Thank you for the support throughout the year! I look forward to assisting you this upcoming year!

How to Choose and Install Window Treatments?

“Naked” windows aren’t glamorous and they certainly don’t provide any privacy.  But how do you pick the perfect window treatment for your home?  The options can seem endless, can be overwhelming, and hard to picture what they will look like in your home.  But with the right helpful hints, choosing the right window covering will be a breeze.

First you must understand the different between blinds and curtains:

Blinds- able to finely control the amount of light you let in with a clean, straight-edged look.  You are more limited to colors but there are more options when it comes to the size and materials.

Curtains- able to choose from many different colors, prints and styles so your window covering can play a bigger roll into the design of you room.  You have the option to let a little light in by adding a sheer or if you want complete darkness you can add blackout fabric.  Whatever you choose, you want your curtains to blend into your design and not stick out like a sore thumb.

How to Host Thanksgiving?

Hosting Thanksgiving can be stress whether it’s your first time or your twentieth time.  To keep your stress levels low, follow these simple steps and remember to plan for enough time to get everything ready.

Establish a plan- Set a plan and follow it from when you are going to the grocery to setting the table to what time to start cooking.

Settle on a menu- Decide what you are going to make and what you are going to ask your guests to bring.  Once you’ve decided on a menu, figure out how many pots, pans, and serving dishes you will need.  If you come up short, borrow from a friend or family member.  Two important items you will need are a roaster pan with solid bottom and an instant –read thermometer to test the turkey.

Enlist helpers- Remember this is a holiday, enlist the helpers to prep in the kitchen, tend bar, set the table, or even help clean.  It’s even ok to say “yes” when someone offers to help you.

 Defrost the turkey- Make sure to defrost the turkey properly: one day in the fridge for every 5 pounds.  Don’t forget to remove the giblet.