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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Keeping your home looking its best can require learning a lot of new skills. If you want to boost your curb appeal without breaking the bank, here are the top DIY outdoor projects you should know.

Reseeding the Lawn
You dont want to go through the expense of installing sod simply because your lawn became slightly patchy. Instead, learn how to grow grass that will make the whole neighborhood envious. The grass truly is greener on your side.

Building a Raised Garden Bed
Whether youre hoping to create a prized vegetable patch or simply want to grow your favorite blooms, theres no better way to create structure for your curb appeal than a few raised beds in your yard. Select the wood, stone or brick of your choice and get to work to create a cohesive feel.

Build a Window Box
You dont have to be a master builder to ensure that this simple project turns out well. Give the exterior of your home a facelift with a few well-placed window boxes and some vibrant flowers. This easy project is sure to make your home look great for years to come.

Make a Trellis
A garden trellis is a must-have for any plants that need to climb. They add needed structural support for those plants and also give your outdoor space visual interest in the form of additional height. Go simple and make a garden trellis of wood and lattice or shoot for a more elaborate mixed-medium trellis.

Power Wash Your Driveway
A good power wash can do wonders for the appearance of your home. Power washing your homes siding or your driveway can take years off the look of your exterior. Removing dirt and grime can be just as visually impactful as a new coat of paint, for far less cost.

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Here are a few tips to better organize your living space.

One Room at a Time

Decluttering your entire home can be a daunting task, so its best to tackle one room at a time.

Identify the Nonessentials

Consider whats essential and whats not. If you can live without it, toss it, or better yet, donate it!

Curate the Surfaces

Countertops, tables and shelves tend to bear the brunt of a disorganized living space.

A Place for Everything

Once youve identified a designated place for everything, make the effort to develop good habits to maintain organization.

Hide the Wires

Whenever possible, go with wireless technology to keep the ambience feeling streamlined.

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Before you list your home, you must figure out your asking price. Real estate markets go up and down frequently, and many local factors and characteristics specific to individual properties can affect prices. A comparative market analysis can help you set a reasonable list price so your home will be more likely to attract a buyer.

Why Is Setting the Right List Price So Important?
Overpricing your house could cause it to linger on the market for months with little or no interest from potential buyers. You could lower your asking price later, but by then, buyers may have already shifted their focus to other properties.

If you list your house for a price that reflects its fair market value, you will have a good chance of attracting a buyer. You may even receive multiple offers and sell your home for more than the asking price.

What Is a Comparative Market Analysis?
A comparative market analysis can examine houses in your area that are similar to yours in terms of size, location, age, number of bedrooms and amenities. It can also take factors such as the school district and property taxes into account.

Your real estate agent can use software to perform a comparative market analysis. The agent can provide a report with information on comparable homes that are currently listed for sale, houses that are under contract but have not yet been sold and homes that have been sold recently. It will also include homes that did not sell because they were priced too high or that were taken off the market for some other reason.

A comparative market analysis can also provide information on the features that buyers are looking for in their next home. If your house lacks something that many people consider a must-have, such as an updated kitchen, you may be able to invest some money in home improvements before you list your house, giving your home a better shot at appealing to buyers.

Seek Your Agents Help So You Can Make an Informed Business Decision
When selling your home, its easy to let emotion influence your decisions, but you should do your best to keep that out of the equation. Set aside the fond memories you have made in your home and take a dispassionate look at how it compares to others in the area. Your real estate agent can perform a comparative market analysis, explain the details in the report and give you more information on your local housing market so you can set a list price that will help you sell your home as quickly as possible.

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Upgraded cabinets? Double sinks? Thoroughly luxurious shower heads? If youre thinking of renovating your master bath, youre not alone, say homeowners surveyed in a recent True Cost Report. It seems some 25 percent of those who responded are considering a bathroom re-do, far more than the 15 percent who are thinking of renovating the kitchen.

For one thing, bathroom upgrades are more manageable and less disruptive than kitchen remodels. They typically cost less and require less time – and, according to a report from Remodeling Magazine, bathroom remodels return a startling 86.4 percent return on investment, more than any other home improvement project.

Thats not surprising, given that well-appointed bathrooms are increasingly regarded as private sanctuaries where you can take time to pamper yourself, so in addition to making basic fixes – replacing worn tile, chipped sinks and outmoded toilets – homeowners are adding spa-like upgrades, such as rain shower heads, spa tubs and specialized lighting.

They are looking at floating tubs rather than sunken tubs, luxurious gold or brass hardware and self-flushing toilets with heated seats and cleansing warm water sprays, designers say, and choosing quartz counters, floating vanities, quality sinks and faucets and glass shower doors treated with water anti-spotting agents.

To get a light, bright space, they add windows and skylights, use LED lighting in creative ways, and choose reflective finishes and surfaces in neutral tones set off with bold colored tile or patterned flooring.

Depending upon your space, and the number and type of amenities you choose, a bathroom remodel can cost somewhere between $2,500 and $25,000 or more, although costs can be cut if you do some of the work yourself, such as the teardown and final painting.

But whether you plan to enjoy your investment for years, or see it as a good investment when you sell, the project is a practical option. While you may not recoup everything your spent, it remains a high return project, and one that can provide a little pure pleasure for as long as you live in your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.