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Improving your home before you sell it can seem like wasting money. After all, if youre not going to live there much longer, why remodel or add features you wont get to use much?

Because, as any real estate professional will tell you, the upgrades can help you recoup the cost and more in a higher selling price for your home. Without some updates, home sellers may realize their home is not worth as much as they thought.

Here are some of the features that increase the resale value of a home:

1. Laundry Room
Starting at $1,000, adding a laundry room to a home helps clean out other rooms where clothes may be stacked and can keep the living space tidier.

The basement is the easiest place to put a laundry room. Another option is to add a laundry closet that fits a washer and dryer and some shelves.

2. Energy Efficient Items
Energy Star-qualified windows and appliances can be good selling points for buyers looking to save on their utility bills.

A water-efficient washing machine can cost anywhere from $500 ” $1,800, while a dishwasher that senses how dirty the dishes are so that less water is used costs about $225 ” $1,600.

3. Ceiling Fan
For as little as $50, a ceiling fan can lower cooling costs when used with an air conditioner. After chilling a room, a ceiling fan can keep the room cool and allow the thermostat to be raised a few degrees.

4. Patio
For about $950, you can add a 120-square-foot concrete patio. This feature can be very appealing to buyers and can make a backyard look much more inviting. Add a table and some patio furniture, and buyers can envision themselves sitting outside with friends at a party.

5. Hardwood Floors
Since they are easy to maintain and have a clean look, hardwood floors are gaining ground in popularity. If refinished periodically, hardwood floors can last a lifetime, compared to about 10 years for carpet.

6. Garage Storage
Storage space always seems to be lacking in homes, especially for growing families. Add some storage to a garage to keep clutter out of a homes living areas and youve essentially created a bonus space.

Storage in a garage can include cabinets, shelves, rows of boxes, and improved lighting and extra electrical outlets.

7. Exterior Lighting
Light fixtures are relatively inexpensive, and illuminating the outside of your home doesnt have to be a Disneyland-at-night event. At the very least, put spotlights on walkways and the driveway so that nighttime visitors wont stumble to your door in the dark.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When the day is done, nothing is more relaxing than retiring to your bedroom. Unless, of course, your bedroom isn’t a calming space. Below are several tips for designing a sleeping space that brings calm and comfort.

Cool colors. There is nothing calming about a blood red bedroom. Choose a cool hue like gentle blue, green or gray to fall asleep easier.

Window covers. Say it with us: black out shades. Make sure you can block light with opaque window coverings so your hibernation goes uninterrupted.

Tech-free. While many like to watch TV in bed, try and create a sleeping space that is for one thing: sleeping. It’s well known that the light from our devices can interrupt our sleep cycles, so if you must occupy your brain before bed, opt for reading over a Netflix binge or a social media troll.

Clear clutter. Make sure your room remains neat and clutter-free so your mind doesn’t go into over-drive when you enter. Keep clothes in the closet or hamper (not on the floor!), clear those surface areas from stacks of bills, and make your bed every morning so sleeping between the sheets feels fresh every night.

Light it right. There is nothing calming about a harsh overhead light. Set warming accent lights by the bed, or control your overhead light with a dimmer.

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More and more people are looking for ways to increase their home’s energy efficiency”both to conserve energy for the good of our environment and to lower energy costs. The good news, environmentalists tell us, is that there are many ways to accomplish both goals without spending a great deal of money.

From a panel of national energy experts, here are proven ways to do your part:

1. Unplug appliances. Coffee makers and other kitchen appliances, and even your cellphone charger, draw energy even when not in use. Make it a habit to unplug them after use.
2. Caulk and weather strip. Properly caulked windows and doors help keep outdoor air from seeping into your home, increasing the overall efficiency of your heating and air conditioning systems. Materials are inexpensive and replacement doesn’t take a lot of time, so check for drafts and replace as needed.
3. Add insulation. Especially in older homes, adding insulation to the inside of your attic is well worth the minor investment in terms of efficiency and energy cost.
4. Lower the water temp. A water heater set higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit wastes a lot of energy and creates a burn hazard for children. So while it might take a few extra minutes to get your kitchen faucet water really hot, it will be worth the savings to lower your thermostat.
5. Replace incandescent lights. The average household spends 11 percent of its energy budget on lighting. Traditional incandescent lights convert only about 10 percent of the energy they consume into light, while the rest becomes heat. New lighting technologies, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), can reduce the energy use required by lighting by 50 – 75 percent.
6. Maximize laundry and dish cleaning. Don’t run a load until the machine is full. Clean the dryer’s lint filter frequently and use lower temperature settings or lower cleaning settings when clothes or dishes are not heavily soiled.

Hope you found this information helpful! Contact me for more insights and info.

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There are a multitude of things house hunters need to consider before choosing a home, such as price, location, schools, distance to work”the list goes on and on.

Most homebuyers may not think about the costs and rules associated with buying a house thats part of a homeowners association; however, it is an issue they may run across.

For those unfamiliar, a homeowner’s association (HOA) is a legal entity that manages a shared housing complex”that doesnt just mean a condo or a series of town homes. In some cases, it includes a suburban housing development with shared space or a specific neighborhood.

If a home is part of an HOA, the information should be available right in the MLS. You can always ask your REALTOR to be sure. The last thing you want is an unexpected fee tied to your home purchase.

Though the costs vary, most HOAs collect monthly dues and the money is earmarked to fund activities or repairs for fellow participants. This could include things like block parties or lawn maintenance.

Keep in mind that you can’t “choose” to be excluded from an HOA. If you buy a home that has one, youre required to be part of it and pay the dues. The structure of an association can vary, depending on the total number of members, but most have a president, treasurer and some elected board members.

When youre part of an HOA, there are rules you must follow. And depending on how strict yours is, it can be a pain. For instance, there may be a rule about what color you can paint your door, or the type of mailbox you can have, or even where you must place your garbage pails. If you consistently break the rules, you can be fined or, worse, make enemies with those in the neighborhood.

While there are benefits to buying a home thats part of an HOA, you should still understand the requirements before deciding to buy.

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You look at the palm of your hand and you can almost see it, the glistening, sense-of-security-giving key to your new home. Youve planned out your budget, youre on track for mortgage loan approval, youve thought of neighborhoods, youve called the agent, you are pretty much set. But then you figure, wow, what kind of home do I really want?

You could be set on dimensions and location, but deciding what kind of property you want to be responsible for is a whole different ball game. For example, there are condos and there are houses. In hopes of not pining over a decision for the next six months, lets focus on the basic differences between the two.

The biggest difference between condos and houses is that when you own a house you also own the plot of land that it is on. When you own a condo, you own the airspace occupied by said home, and perhaps part of a common area. A house will require lawn and structural maintenance that are solely the owners responsibility, while a condo will require maintenance to the outer structure that is split between the tenants.

Deciding which is better for you depends on many variables, starting with how much having a lawn matters, and whether or not you will be willing to invest on its upkeep.

Is renting out your property in your future plans? Then consider that condos will see tenants come and go more quickly. However, when it comes to selling, you might be get a better return on your investment when selling a house.

Do you prefer the privacy of your own property lot or the community of a condo? Communities are not a given in condominiums, but you sure will be seeing your neighbors whenever you use any of the common areas.

In the end, no one kind of property trumps the other. Instead, careful consideration of what your priorities and preferences are when it comes to your future home will guide you to making the right choice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.