What will boost your home’s value? You want to add a sunroom but will that bring in the biggest bang for your buck? How about a new bathroom? It’s a common question that many homeowners ask. What will we get back when we sell? This can be a hard question to answer but luckily Bankrate.com and Remodeling Magazine has come up with a list of the worst home fixes for the money. Here are the six improvements that ranked dead last nationally when it comes to getting those renovation dollars back at resale. 1. A Home Office-The standard home office renovation is this year’s biggest loser in the resale value sweepstakes. Nationally, homeowners spent an average of $28,888 and can expect to recoup about 45.8 percent at resale, according to the report. If you want to enjoy a home office opt for something that is easily converted back into a bedroom or den. 2. Backup Generators-This only usually brings about negative thoughts like does this home loose power often? On average, when homeowners have a heavy-duty backup power generator installed, they spend about $14,718, according to the report. The average amount of the price recovered at resale time: 48.5 percent. 3. A Sunroom-While the thought is sitting and enjoying a sunroom may sound lovely to you but the addition of a sunroom is often more than you can recoup. The national average for a sunroom addition is $75,224, according to the report. Homeowners can expect to recoup about 48.6 percent when they sell. 4. A Master Suite-It is the price tag of this addition that can also leave sellers in the red. For a super-deluxe master suite addition — which adds square footage and uses only top-dollar materials — the average cost is about $232,062, according to the report. Sellers can expect to recover about 52.7 percent at resale. 5. An Extra Bathroom-Wait kitchens and bathrooms sells houses or that’s what people say. Bathroom additions are very expensive. For a moderately outfitted addition with synthetic stone or plastic laminate surfaces, plan on the cost about $21,695, according to the Remodeling report. Go upscale, with finishes like premium marble or fine tile, and you can easily spend in the neighborhood of $40,710. You can plan on a return of about 53 cents on the dollar. Look for less-expensive way to get the same results. Try reconfiguring your existing space to add a bathroom for less. 6. A Dream Garage-The price tag for a top-of-the-line detached two-car with all the trimmings is about $90,053, according to the report. This is a garage that is completely top-of-the-line. You can expect to recover about 53.6 percent of that when you sell. Instead go for function over form and stick the basic garage if you plan on a garage project. ]]>
Effective Tips On How to Spruce Up Your House
After numerous years of living in your home, you will soon become bored of the same decorations and furnishings, or at least stop appreciating them. This in turn can create a dull environment to live in, which is the last thing you want in your home. By following these tips in how to spruce up your house, you can ensure that your home always looks vibrant and welcoming. Sprucing up your home does not have to cost a lot of money, as you will find that there are many bargains available when it comes to finding decorative items. In fact, one way to get these bargains is by shopping online, as many reputable home decoration stores have great offers available. The first thing to keep in mind as you begin creating that new look in your home is that you should always work towards a theme. In fact, this is one of the most important tips in how to spruce up your house, because without the right type of theme, you will find that your decorations can look very noisy to the eye. The best way to begin sprucing up your home is by focusing on one room at a time, and as you finish that room, you can then gradually move onto the next room. By taking this approach, you will be able to focus on that theme, and you will also not feel overwhelmed in the process. Lastly, keep in mind that it is necessary to get the input of your family, because this will ensure that everyone is happy with the overall new look of your home.]]>
Quick and Easy Bathroom Updates
It is a room that is often overlooked on the decorating list but as the saying goes bathrooms and kitchen sell homes. Many people avoid remodeling a bathroom because they are typically one of the most costly rooms to remodel–generally second only to kitchens. A bathroom update can be easier than you think. Here are some budget-friendly updates that will give your bathroom a brand new look. Paint Paint is the most inexpensive way to transform any room. For around $25, you can have a brand new look. Bathrooms are typically small rooms so the process should be quick. If your wood cabinets looking tired, give them a fresh coat of paint. Make sure to give them good cleaning and a light sanding first. Lighting Don’t overlook the importance of lighting. Outdated bath bar (often called Hollywood lighting); can be easily replaced with newer fixtures for as little as $30. Hardware An instant update to any cabinet is the hardware. This is a place to where you can be creative and unique. Expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $15 for each knob or pull. Accessories A brand new look can sometimes be as easy as replacing a few of the accessories. Replace worn-out, faded towels with some soft, fluffy new towels. Expect to pay from $5 to $30 per towel. Try adding new towel bars and toilet paper holders too. If you update your cabinet hardware you will want to try to go with a similar finish. This will cost about $20 to $40. Giving your bathroom a fresh, new feel doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little elbow grease and some creativity you will have a new bathroom in no time.]]>