Five Outdoor Upgrades to Increase Your Home’s Value

If you’re looking to sell your home and want to have it looking its best or you are just looking to make some changes for the better in your home, don’t forget about your home’s exteriors.  Improvements on the outside of your home can make your home stand out against all of the others and just make it more enjoyable for you and your family; especially during warmer summer months.

Five popular outdoor home upgrades from the real estate pros at the Equifax Finance blog are discussed in the recent article, “Increase Your Home’s Value With These Five Outdoor Upgrades.”   

• Outdoor kitchens – these have become very popular lately; they make outdoor entertaining easy with an outdoor sink, fridge, bar, grill, stove, TV and more

Get the Best Bang for Your Buck with these Home Improvement Tips from Equifax

Have you recently put your home on the market and looking to make some updates to make your home more attractive, while getting a good return on your investment? A recent Equifax Finance blog article, “Inexpensive Ways to Increase Your Home Value” gives some tips on easy, cost-effective improvements you can make on your home without busting your budget.

Update the flooring in one room of your home – Wide-planked wood flooring (five inches or more wide) is an updated version of classic wood floors, and is a way to make that room pop. Wood floors are easier to clean than carpeting and healthier than carpeting (it doesn’t trap dander and allergens).  Hardwood flooring is available starting at about one dollar per square foot and going up to six dollars per square foot, not including installation, which should be left to the pros, the article says.

Save Money Using Social Media

More ways to save money with remodeling by
sharing your experience on social media!

We’re all looking for ways to save money. And most of us spend at least some time each day on social media. Did you know that you could combine the two – use social media to save money? A recent Equifax Finance Blog article, “A Guide To Saving Money Using Social Media” explains how.

Following businesses on Twitter or Facebook is an easy way to get in on exclusive discounts or offers. Local small business owners often offer a percentage off, a small giveaway or other special offer for their social media followers, like a free coffee or 10% off a haircut with a Tweet or FourSquare Check-in. An increasing number of remodeling and construction shops are giving discounts for sharing pictures and testimonials of the work that was done with their products.

Forget Remodeling, Buy New!

Wouldn't it be nice just to move into a new home and only have to decorate? Well, there are lots of options with new homes from Keystone Custom Homes in Central Pennsylvania to do just this. If you are searching for home in the Harrisburg area, the builder offers a number of communities -- Apple Creek Farms, Ivy Ridge and Silver Brook. You will find popular plans such as the Oxford, Emerson, Dawson and Ethan at these communities. Many of these homes boast gourmet kitchens designed to bring out the cook in you. You can see more of the gorgeous homes from Keystone Custom Homes on their Pinterest Page.

Here are some of the highlights from popular plans:

The Oxford floor plan is the perfect size for any family. The home's inviting foyer is flanked by a beautiful formal dining room and study, great for reading books or playing board games. The hallway then leads to a gourmet kitchen, which is open to the spacious family room with fireplace. Upstairs, three bedrooms can be found with oversized walk-in closets. The owner’s suite boasts a huge walk-in closet and a private bath.

The Ethan boasts a first floor with a study, formal dining room, family room with fireplace and a gourmet kitchen that is a chef’s dream. The kitchen features a large island, plenty of countertop space and a breakfast room. Upstairs, the owner’s suite is the perfect oasis after a long day. It includes an oversized walk-in closet and private bath. The guest bedrooms are also large with walk-in closets.

Many options for beautiful kitchens are available including hardwood floors, large islands, stainless appliances and more.

Stay Out of Debt: Budget Remodeling with Irregular Incomes

If your job causes you to have unpredictable money flow, it can be difficult to upgrade or remodel your home. The Equifax Finance Blog has some great tips about how to budget for your income of highs and lows so you can enjoy projects like a new kitchen or substantially upgrading your insulation and still avoid debt. Just check out good hints like these:

·         Set a salary – One of the best ways to set a budget for yourself is to create the illusion of a set monthly income, even if you don’t have one. To do this, experts recommend setting a low monthly salary for yourself. Simply examine your previous year’s income and base your monthly salary on the lowest months you had. By setting your average low, you will help ensure all your expenses will be covered even during your low earning months.

Budget DIY Home Repairs for Selling a Home or Living Happier

Stretch your DiY muscles to save money to live
happier and an easier time when selling a home

Whether you’re selling a home or just looking to refresh your home’s look, check out some of these tips from the Equifax Finance Blog in their article, “DIY Home Repair and Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget.”

When updating your home’s look, it is sometimes easier on you (and your wallet) to work on small details around you home first. Kitchens are often a big selling point for homes, so they are a great place to begin your DIY projects. Examine the details around your kitchen. Do you have dated curtains in the windows? Dingy or old hardware on your cabinets? These are two easy fixes that when changed, can add a more modern look to your kitchen. Simply put classic shades in the windows and change out old knobs and hardware for newer, reasonably priced ones. Voilà - these simple changes are as easy as that and take little time or effort!

Insulation Do’s and Don’ts for Real Estate

The Equifax Finance Blog has recently weighed in on the importance of going green in real estate, especially when it comes to energy efficiency. The new article “Green Real Estate Market Trends,” is all about easy ways to save money by making your home more energy-efficient:

• Do have an energy audit. Energy audits can save money by identifying the places in your home needing the most help and offering suggestions about how to improve your energy efficiency. If you’re not sure where to start, an audit is a great way to find problem areas and form a plan for savings.