Increasing the curb appeal of your home’s exterior can be a challenge. With so many details to consider, it’s difficult to know where to start. It can be even more difficult to create a budget for a lot of desired upgrades and changes. Luckily, there are some effective changes you can make all on your own while saving money.
Here are a few simple DIY projects to boost your curb appeal:
Paint Your Front Door
While it might not seem like much, changing the color of your front door can have a profound effect on first impressions. Even a fresh coat of paint in the door’s original color can make a big difference. The best part is that repainting your door is a simple DIY project you can easily accomplish in one weekend. All you’ll need is a power sander to create a clean surface and your choice of paint. You’ll also want to make sure you choose paint that will protect your door from the elements. This will keep it looking great for a long time and boost your curb appeal by instantly upgrading the entrance to your home.
Upgrade Your Fixtures
If you still have the original fixtures that came with your home, they could likely use some maintenance or replacement. If your home was built decades ago, your fixtures might also need a style upgrade so as to not make your home appear dated. To remedy this, consider purchasing new fixtures for your entry, such as lights and door hardware. Go for timeless but contemporary styles in order to appeal to the most buyers. While this is a fairly easy task, the cost of new fixtures can vary. If you would rather reserve funds for a different project, a more cost-effective option is to add new bulbs and finishes to your current fixtures. Even a deep and careful cleaning can make them look brand new.
Clean Up Edges & Walkways
If you have a grass lawn, now is the perfect time to clean up the edges. You can rent an edging tool from your local hardware store and use it to trim the grass into pristine, perfect lines that look professionally landscaped. Doing this for any edges against the sidewalk and any pathways or pavement you might have on your property will wow potential buyers with only a few hours’ work. If you don’t have a lawn, it’s still important to check the edges of paths and pavement to remove weeds and any stray vegetation that might give the yard an unkempt appearance. Any flowers, shrubs or other plants that might stretch into the traffic path should be cut back as well. Not only will you improve accessibility to your home, you’ll make your yard look like it was professionally landscaped all for the price of your time.
Every improvement you make to the exterior of your home is an investment, no matter how small. Never underestimate the effect that simple DIY upgrades can have on your overall curb appeal.
Saving for a down payment on a house can seem like an insurmountable challenge to first-time homebuyers. You don’t have the benefit of equity built from owning previous homes, and most, if not all, of your income could be tied up in other places like paying rent and bills.
If this sounds like you, don’t worry--you’re not alone. The good news is that there are some other things you might try before giving up on saving for a down payment.
In today’s post, we’re going to discuss a few techniques for saving for a down payment that you might not yet have thought of, and talk about how to can start saving sooner rather than later.
1. Know your options
Many first-time buyers aren’t aware of all of the different mortgage types that may be available to them. VA loans, USDA loans, and more are all available to buyers who don’t have a large down payment saved up.
There’s also the common myth that your down payment needs to be at least 20% percent of the cost of the home. However, this number is more like an ideal figure that will allow you to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Before determining how much you need to save, make sure you understand all of your options.
2. Learn the art of budgeting
Most of us use the term “budget” as a vague word that means the amount of money we can spend.
The true point of a budget, however, is to gain a detailed understanding of where your money goes and to develop a plan.
One good method of budgeting is to do what budget experts call, “giving every dollar a job.” This means that you know where each dollar o your paycheck will go.
There are many tools available for you to use when budgeting. You can use a free app like a spreadsheet from Google Sheets, or a service that connects you your bank account like Mint. Mint will also let you set goals (such as saving for a down payment) so you can track your progress.
3. Asking for a raise
Depending on how long you’ve been at your job and your work performance, it might be time to ask your employer for a raise up front. Many employers are more than happy to reward hard work and dedication, but just don’t hand out money if they aren’t asked.
4. Start that side hustle
There are a lot of ways to earn extra money in a service economy. From waiting tables at night to delivering packages for Amazon, and giving lifts in your car for Uber, there are numerous ways to earn some extra cash in the evenings.
Just remember that you want this project to be something that’s enjoyable or interesting, otherwise it’s easy to burn out from overwork.
5. See if you have employee assistance options
Some employers offer housing assistance programs to their employees as a work benefit. If you haven’t flipped through your HR packet in a while, now might be a good time to make sure you’re taking advantage of your options.
Selling a home can be a major hassle. Lucky for you, family members and friends may be able to lend a helping hand as you prep your house for the real estate market.
There are many reasons why you should include loved ones in the home selling journey, including:
1. Loved ones can help you promote your house to potential property buyers.
Family members and friends can share details about your home with large groups of potential homebuyers. That way, you can boost your chances of stirring up interest in your home as soon as your residence hits the real estate market.
Encourage family members and friends to promote your home via social media and word of mouth. If loved ones allocate plenty of time and resources to share information about your home with others, they may be able to help you get the optimal results during the home selling journey.
2. Loved ones can help you complete assorted home improvement projects.
Although your home may look great both inside and out, there may be minor property improvement tasks that you need to complete before you add your house to the real estate market. Fortunately, loved ones may be able to help you finish assorted home improvement tasks.
Family members and friends may be able to assist you as you clean your house. They might even be able to take excess items off your hands so you can declutter your residence quickly and effectively.
Furthermore, loved ones may be able to offer expert recommendations for various home repair projects. And if you need major home repairs like roof maintenance or a complete backyard overhaul, family members and friends may be able to help you get in touch with the right home repair professionals.
3. Loved ones can help you minimize stress at each stage of the homebuying journey.
The process of selling a home can be long and arduous, especially for those who choose to embark on the home selling journey alone. However, loved ones can help you stay calm, cool and collected throughout this journey, regardless of what happens.
Family members and friends are happy to support you in any way possible. As such, they will listen to your home selling concerns and queries and ensure you can minimize stress time and time again.
Also, loved ones may be able to provide home selling insights that you might struggle to receive elsewhere. If family members or friends have sold homes in the past, they can offer guidance to help you streamline the home selling journey.
If you need extra help with selling your home, don't hesitate to reach out to a real estate agent, either. This housing market professional understands the ins and outs of the real estate sector and will help you generate substantial interest in your property.
Ready to add your house to the real estate market? Get your loved ones involved in the home selling process, and you can move one step closer to optimizing the value of your residence.
At it’s best, packing and moving your things when you buy a new home is a lot of work. At its worst, it can be downright dangerous if you aren’t careful when lifting and moving heavy items.
A necessary evil of moving to a new home, packing is probably the least favorite part of moving for your average homeowner. However, there are ways you can make this process easier, saving you time and ensuring that decorating your new homes is a simple and satisfying task.
In today’s post, I’m going to run down the list of 5 packing and moving tips to help make your move faster and easier than you thought possible.
1. Cleaning and decluttering
One of the best times to clean out your home is leading up to a move. First, if you’re selling your old home, it will pay off to make the house as clean and uncluttered as possible to attract potential buyers. However, you’ll also likely find that there is a lot of junk that you simply don't need to bring to your new home.
When packing each room, keep a garbage bag with you for things you might want to donate or throw away. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you’ve used or appreciated the item in the last two years. If not, you might find that it’s easier just to get rid of.
2. Schedule your packing
There are some items in your home that you’ll want available up until the day you move. Others you might not need for weeks or months until after you’ve settled into your new home. You can lessen your workload by spreading out your packing process across the span of a month or so, tackling a few items each week.
A good example of planned packing is to start packing your seasonal clothing that you won’t need until the next winter or summer.
3. Have someone carry away your old junk
If you have bulk items or furniture that you plan on getting rid of, put them on Craigslist or call a donation center with pick-up a month in advance of your move. This will help you get rid of large items without ever having to leave your home.
4. Hiring movers
Hiring movers might be out of some new homeowners’ budgets. However, there are certain times of the week that you can get lower prices. Movers are typically the busiest on the weekend, often making weekdays a more affordable alternative.
5. Find your local box stockpile
There’s typically no need to spend money on boxes if you give yourself enough time to find a good supplier. Some grocery and department stores will give away their boxes for free because you’re saving them on recycling costs.
Another good option is your local liquor store who probably has several empty wine and beer cases to give away.
A home appraisal is paramount for a house seller. If a seller enters the real estate market with an appraisal report in hand, he or she can use the report's property valuation to determine the optimal price for a residence. Then, this individual can set an aggressive price for his or her house from day one of the home selling journey.
Ultimately, not all home appraisers are equal. Some of the key factors to consider as you weigh the pros and cons of hiring a home appraiser include:
1. Industry Experience
Hire a home appraiser who knows the ins and outs of the real estate industry – you will be happy you did. If you have a real estate expert at your side, you can receive a data-driven appraisal of your house.
Oftentimes, it helps to perform lots of research before you hire a house appraiser. If you reach out to an appraiser directly, you can learn about his or her industry expertise. Plus, you can use this opportunity to receive immediate responses to any home appraisal questions.
2. Client Referrals
Although it may be tough to determine exactly how an appraiser will analyze a house, it generally is a good idea to explore how past clients feel about this professional. If you request client referrals, you can get in touch with an appraiser's past clients. You then can receive firsthand insights about what it is like to work with this appraiser.
Typically, a home appraiser can provide client referrals upon request. If you allocate time and resources to request client referrals and connect with an appraiser's past clients, you could increase your chances of hiring a top-notch appraiser to assess your residence.
3. Your Home Selling Timeline
There is no guarantee that a home appraiser will be available on short notice. If you are operating on a tight home selling timeline, you may want to reach out to multiple home appraisers in your city or town. That way, you can find a first-rate home appraiser who can review your residence right away.
As you get set to add your house to the real estate market, you may want to hire a real estate agent, too. This housing market professional can put you in touch with the top home appraisers in your area. Also, he or she is happy to lend a helping hand at each stage of the property selling journey.
Let's not forget about the assistance that a real estate agent will provide after you list your house, either. At this point, a real estate agent will promote your residence to potential buyers. And if you receive an offer to purchase your house, a real estate agent will help you make an informed decision about whether to accept, reject or counter this proposal.
Ready to add your house to the real estate market? Hire a home appraiser, and you can receive a property valuation that you can use to price your residence competitively from day one of the house selling journey.
