Home Improvement: Ways to Cure Remodelitis

Spring is more than a time to refurbish your garden. It’s also the best time to refurbish your home, particularly if you are thinking of selling. Take a look around. With a little bit of effort and expense, you can improve the look and value of your biggest investment, and be both house-proud and realtor ready.

Start Small
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a big impression. For example, simply picking up the front yard, power washing the siding, and ditching the old rusty lawn furniture can make a world of difference. Pruning unruly trees and shrubs and planting new ones can create interesting focal points and highlight your home’s most interesting features. A well-maintained front lawn is critical, so break out the rake and weed-whacker. If necessary, call in a lawn service to fertilize, de-thatch, seed and aerate your lawn to create positive curb appeal. Ground cover plants add depth, while brightly colored flowers and garden accessories will make your property a standout on the block.

Pick up a paintbrush for the biggest bang for your buck. A new paint job, although fairly expensive, will transform your house with an entirely fresh, new look. If you can’t manage the whole house, consider just painting the trim or the front entrance for a bright boost.

High-Value Additions
Maybe you are considering a state-of-the-art kitchen or an elegant master suite. Will you get a return on your investment when you decide to sell? That’s an important question to ask before you launch into any remodeling project, particularly if you are hoping to up your selling price.

According to Remodeling magazine, most home improvements will not recoup your full investment if you are planning to sell within the year, particularly in sluggish markets. But hot markets will usually see higher return-on-investments, particularly in regions with older homes.

Before you build, find out what sort of additions are desirable in your region. Minor kitchen remodels are a great way to potentially boost your sale price, particularly in higher-end real estate markets. Adding a home office or high end windows are less reliable, depending on where you live. But, replacing shoddy siding will make your house more appealing, and almost always boosts the selling price.

Whatever type of project you choose to do, large or small, beat the home repair blues with a reputable contractor.

Taking on a major project?
Wachovia can help. Our Home Equity Lines will let you borrow against the equity of your home, lock into your rate and your payment too. Plus, the interest is usually tax deductible, but consult your tax advisor for your financial situation.