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Why You Should Invest in Curb Appeal Home Improvements

January 15, 20150
Learn how to boost your exterior curb appeal.

The exterior curb appeal is an important element for any home.

Are you wondering if you should invest in exterior curb appeal improvements? Unlike basic indoor renovations, adding those finishing touches to the exterior of your home can really boost its desirability. Before you begin making unnecessary home renovation updates, take a look at some of the most common curb appeal boosters.

Exterior Home Improvements That Boost Value

Paint Your Door: Painting your front door adds more exterior curb appeal points than you might think. If you have a white, taupe or even black door, chances are you are lacking some major oomph from the street. Popular door colors include red, dark grey, sage and even coral. All four of these colors are sophisticated, inviting and bold.

Plant Shrubs: Also known as hardscaping, trees and shrubs are the foundation for your front yard. Consider adding a few shrubs that frame the pathway to your front door. If you have poor soil conditions, you can add height and drama to your exterior by planting shrubs in large urns that flank the front door.

Landscape Lighting: Once you have a few shrubs or trees in place, landscape lighting will help boost your home’s curb appeal at night. Make sure the lighting directs toward your garden elements to enhance their placement and the architecture of your home.

Remove Eyesores: If you have an eyesore on your property, such as a fire hydrant or a utility box, there are home improvements you can still make to boost your home’s appeal. Contact your city and planning department to find out what restrictions you might have with fire hydrants. If possible, consider planting colorful flowers around the base of the hydrant to help it blend in. If you are trying to hide other eyesores, such as a utility box or an old tree stump, the same rules apply. Foundation plantings that disguise or minimize will serve as a pleasing distraction.

Increase curb appeal with home improvement projects.

The right home improvement projects will make your home more appealing.

Clean Your Gutters: Out with all those old leaves! Make sure your home is clean and presentable and looks maintained if you really want to boost its exterior curb appeal. Clean all debris from the home and make sure you trim tree branches as needed to open up your home’s architecture.

Pretty Windows: From the outside, elegant window coverings can really boost your home’s curb appeal. Don’t just settle on aluminum blinds. Purchase window coverings with a print or with tie backs so you can allow your home’s interior lights to glow softly through the curtains in the evening.

Make Your Exterior Inviting

Whether you are preparing your home for an anticipated sale or are fixing up a property you hope to live in for a while, you need to know why you should be investing in curb appeal improvements. While you may be convinced future buyers will fall in love with granite countertops or pedestal sinks in the bath, if you can’t get buyers in the door because your home doesn’t look appealing from the outside, it doesn’t really matter what resides behind that front door.

These simple home improvements offer the most bang for your buck and promise to beautify the exterior of your Massachusetts home. Contact us today for a free quote and a design consultation.

Home Improvements Can Save You Money During the Winter

January 13, 20150
Insulation is a home improvement project that keeps you warmer.

Installing more insulation is a great winter home improvement project.

Electricity bills can be brutal in the winter. From the up and down outdoor temps to the frigid drafts that can chill your home, keeping warm can be tricky on a budget. However, you can save energy and stay toasty at the same time this winter with these home improvement tips. Not only will you feel more at ease in your house, you won’t be shocked with high electric bills that can be overwhelming and cost-prohibitive.

Cutting Down on Drafts

Did you purchase an older home with single pane windows? Chances are you can feel the chill as the wind blows outside. The following simple home renovation ideas can really help you heat up your home without turning on the gas or electricity.

Seal Your Windows and Doors: Sealing your home’s windows and doors with a weather strip will help eliminate some of the hot air that escapes through small cracks around the frame. Easy to install, even for the novice, weather strips make sitting near a cold window a little more bearable.

Replace Windows: In addition to sealing window and door frames, replacing single pane windows with double panes will reduce your electricity bill and make your home’s heating system more efficient. Even if you can only replace one window at a time, you will be raising your home’s value with each so they are a small home renovation project that will payoff in the long run.

Add Curtains: Instead of hanging aluminum mini blinds, curtains and heavy draperies can cut down drafts. In addition, many people include the window coverings when they list their home for sale. This means if you select tasteful and elegant draperies, you will increase the desirability and perhaps resale value of your home.

If you don't have a fireplace, consider this home renovation.

Have you considered a fireplace as part of your home renovation?

Clean Your Fireplace: If you’re lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace, make sure you get the flue cleaned every year. In addition, your fireplace or chimney may need tuckpointing. Ensuring the maintenance of your fireplace before running it all season will have it working its best. By making good use of your fireplace instead of turning up the thermostat, you could save on your electricity bill.

New Insulation: Is it time to add or replace the insulation in your home’s attic? Insulation keeps heat from escaping through the walls and the roof of your home. Consider adding padded insulation or spray foam insulation for sealing and filling small areas. A home improvement specialist can replace your insulation and help you cut down on your winter electrical bill.

Stay Cozy and Warm All Winter

In addition to these small improvements that might help you save money this winter, it’s important to remember you should always try to maintain a constant temperature in your home. Turning your furnace up and down makes it work harder than if it remains at a more consistent temperature. Find a comfortable settings for all the residents in your home and then keep it set there for greater efficiency.

Winter doesn’t have to own your pocketbook. Small changes in your home can help ensure you stay cozy without the extra costs of heating and electricity. Contact us today for a home renovation consultation in Massachusetts.

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