Do You Love the House You're In?
For many people, there are just a few things they would change with the house they are in if only they could find the inspiration!
Love the House You're In
After all, we all live somewhere, and someday might want to sell. There aren’t many people who get to move into a home and do nothing. Whether it’s paint, light fixtures, window treatments, or really basic things like a furnace or gutters, we all do something. As you work on your home, keep re-sale at the back of your mind. Whether you plan to be in your home two years or ten, much of what you do now can effect selling later.
When to DIY, When to call in a professional – if it’s gas, electric or water related, know thyself. Do you really have the ability to install your new dishwasher? If it’s as simple as unplugging and re-plugging, sure, maybe. Everytime our contractor starts any project in this house, he finds all kinds of interesting things behind the walls. Our general approach is that we’ll do our own demo (which actually saves a lot of money) and call a professional for the rest. There are certain projects where even our contractor will call in someone more professional than himself (usually for anything related to gas).
As a Realtor, one thing I often see in homes is DIY tile jobs. And usually it’s pretty obvious if tile has been a home or professional job. When I say “know thyself,” be brutally honest with yourself (or have someone be brutally honest for you) about your skill level. One big turn-off when looking at houses is seeing work that has the right idea behind it, but is poorly executed. Might as well drop those dollars down the low-flush toilet.
Water, Water Everywhere – You don’t have to live at the bottom of a hill to have water issues. Water is the majority cause of homeowner insurance damage claims. Water is such a big deal, it gets its own bullet point. Keep water moving away from your home. Make sure your gutters are clear, and downspouts are directed correctly. The slope around the house goes away from the foundation.