Q. We bought a home 3 years ago and are trying to make changes to add appraisal value to our home. We have a inground pool, 4 acres, Nice house.
When we moved in there wasn't much landscaping that had been done, so we added 30 6 foot trees. At a point right now where we would like to use our money and time wisely. Need to know the best thing to increase the property value. We have 3 baths 4 bedrooms, all new appliances, unfinished basement.
Please help!
When we moved in there wasn't much landscaping that had been done, so we added 30 6 foot trees. At a point right now where we would like to use our money and time wisely. Need to know the best thing to increase the property value. We have 3 baths 4 bedrooms, all new appliances, unfinished basement.
Please help!
A. First stop spending- now! Trees are nice but 30? Not a cost effective benefit for so many. And not cheap either.
Pools many times are a liability unless you live in California or Florida. Keep it since you have it. Is there a pool house for the equipment? Do you fill the pool with city water or well water? A well is usable for washing the car, filling the pool and a landscape sprinkler system. You'd need a small well house that can be made of stacked stone veneer for effect. Include a latern light near the door and 2 side windows; it is a pump house and needs to look it. Also need a small heater to prevent freezing or the ability to winterize it easily yourself.
Nice landscaping adds curb appeal, and gets buyers in the door. Red and yellow blooming plants that flower throughout the warm months give color to an all green yard. Tulips, phlox, day lilies, tall grasses strategically placed are good. Monkey grass is good for areas you want to keep low maintenance- use 2 varieties for visual effect. Use pine needles for mulch to keep unwanted grasses out of flowering beds. Never use a pine bark, pine chips or soft woods for mulch; soft wood attrack wood destroying insects. Landscaping lights work too. Presure wash the side walks, gutters, eves, sofits, and siding. A nice area with a gazebo is inviting in the back yard area. No wild animal concrete statues, people, St Peter or Cupid statues are ok. An arbor is a nice touch too.
Master bed rooms: fresh paint- use light to med. tinted earth tones. Master baths need a masculine feel, never feminine. Same for remaining baths. New cabinet hardware, a window over the bath tub to let in natural light is good, tile in bathrooms is good- staggered pattern, wood floors in master bedroom is good. A garden tub is good (whirlpools are not cost effective an seldom used) as is a low rise (short step) shower with handicap bars in the shower and a seat to sit on. Use elongated toilets throughout, again include handicap bars. You open your home to a lot of other people even aging people if you make it friendly up front. And use lever handles door operators.
Basement: Add a playroom and an up-flush half bath. A bar sink would be good but not cost effective. Just be reasonable in what you do, do not make your home the biggest on the block. That drags your value down and the neighbors up. Use floresent lighting where ever possible, even flood lights. This helps keep operating cost down.
Kitchen: you have already updated the appliances. Cabinet hardware is a good choice, minimal or no wall paper, inc the dining area. Red encourages eating, that is why restaurants use red, avoid it unless you are running a restaurant. Tile floors are good, use a varied pattern, not a straight line square but off-set, it gives the eye something to see. Under counter lighting is good. Lots of counter top and cabinet space, Lazy Susan is a so-so, if you have it ok, do not add, but a well planned pantry with wire shelves and spaced efficiently will be a hit. Laundry room off kitchen is good. Counter tops of Avonite or Corian is good, granite is over kill and now dated. Light cherry or honey oak cabinets are good, wood darkens as it ages. Did I say NO BLUE?!?! NO BLUE!!
A 3 car garage is good, an out-building for lawn equipment is great- with electric, and this may well substitute for the 3rd garage area if you have it not already. This can also be a rustic looking structure, board and bat type siding and stacked stone at the front around the doors but not over the doors,use more wood. Hardy plank is good too, if the home is brick or stone paint the garge the same color as the trim if Hardy plank is used. Design it deep enough for a boat, min 24 ft deep. Add a motion sensor exterior light as well. I also am fond of a 30 ft. flag pole with Old Glory waving proudly, be sure to have a flood lamp positioned to illuminate it at night. That may look real good bentered in the front yard. If there is room, in the front yard a circle/horse shoe shaped drive adds usable, functionable parking area. Line both driveway sides with monkey grass. Landscaping flood lamps that shine "up" the wall bewteen windows on the front is ok or shine on a feature like maybe the front door is good. Paint the front door black, or fire engine red. No antique brass, shiney brass is ok brushed aluminum better. Green is a last resort, never purple, or some other color. OK to match shutters with front door, they are paintable too.
These are good cost effective things you can do, add appeal and get a good return, but no return will yield 100% the first year. All will enhance the opportunity to get the best price when you go to sell down the road. Always think of your exit when you go in to buy. What ever issues the last owner had, unless you correct them you too will have to over come them.
I've seen and sold a lot of homes. You'd be amazed at what people do- and are proud of it. Just do not make your inprovements too specific to YOUR tastes. You can go to the Parade of Homes in your area or open house and see the things I've mentioned to get a feel of what to do before you invest. Once you have seen these and made your plan THEN SPEND money, because now you have an clear objective and will more wisely buy.
Best wishes to you in your effort.
Pools many times are a liability unless you live in California or Florida. Keep it since you have it. Is there a pool house for the equipment? Do you fill the pool with city water or well water? A well is usable for washing the car, filling the pool and a landscape sprinkler system. You'd need a small well house that can be made of stacked stone veneer for effect. Include a latern light near the door and 2 side windows; it is a pump house and needs to look it. Also need a small heater to prevent freezing or the ability to winterize it easily yourself.
Nice landscaping adds curb appeal, and gets buyers in the door. Red and yellow blooming plants that flower throughout the warm months give color to an all green yard. Tulips, phlox, day lilies, tall grasses strategically placed are good. Monkey grass is good for areas you want to keep low maintenance- use 2 varieties for visual effect. Use pine needles for mulch to keep unwanted grasses out of flowering beds. Never use a pine bark, pine chips or soft woods for mulch; soft wood attrack wood destroying insects. Landscaping lights work too. Presure wash the side walks, gutters, eves, sofits, and siding. A nice area with a gazebo is inviting in the back yard area. No wild animal concrete statues, people, St Peter or Cupid statues are ok. An arbor is a nice touch too.
Master bed rooms: fresh paint- use light to med. tinted earth tones. Master baths need a masculine feel, never feminine. Same for remaining baths. New cabinet hardware, a window over the bath tub to let in natural light is good, tile in bathrooms is good- staggered pattern, wood floors in master bedroom is good. A garden tub is good (whirlpools are not cost effective an seldom used) as is a low rise (short step) shower with handicap bars in the shower and a seat to sit on. Use elongated toilets throughout, again include handicap bars. You open your home to a lot of other people even aging people if you make it friendly up front. And use lever handles door operators.
Basement: Add a playroom and an up-flush half bath. A bar sink would be good but not cost effective. Just be reasonable in what you do, do not make your home the biggest on the block. That drags your value down and the neighbors up. Use floresent lighting where ever possible, even flood lights. This helps keep operating cost down.
Kitchen: you have already updated the appliances. Cabinet hardware is a good choice, minimal or no wall paper, inc the dining area. Red encourages eating, that is why restaurants use red, avoid it unless you are running a restaurant. Tile floors are good, use a varied pattern, not a straight line square but off-set, it gives the eye something to see. Under counter lighting is good. Lots of counter top and cabinet space, Lazy Susan is a so-so, if you have it ok, do not add, but a well planned pantry with wire shelves and spaced efficiently will be a hit. Laundry room off kitchen is good. Counter tops of Avonite or Corian is good, granite is over kill and now dated. Light cherry or honey oak cabinets are good, wood darkens as it ages. Did I say NO BLUE?!?! NO BLUE!!
A 3 car garage is good, an out-building for lawn equipment is great- with electric, and this may well substitute for the 3rd garage area if you have it not already. This can also be a rustic looking structure, board and bat type siding and stacked stone at the front around the doors but not over the doors,use more wood. Hardy plank is good too, if the home is brick or stone paint the garge the same color as the trim if Hardy plank is used. Design it deep enough for a boat, min 24 ft deep. Add a motion sensor exterior light as well. I also am fond of a 30 ft. flag pole with Old Glory waving proudly, be sure to have a flood lamp positioned to illuminate it at night. That may look real good bentered in the front yard. If there is room, in the front yard a circle/horse shoe shaped drive adds usable, functionable parking area. Line both driveway sides with monkey grass. Landscaping flood lamps that shine "up" the wall bewteen windows on the front is ok or shine on a feature like maybe the front door is good. Paint the front door black, or fire engine red. No antique brass, shiney brass is ok brushed aluminum better. Green is a last resort, never purple, or some other color. OK to match shutters with front door, they are paintable too.
These are good cost effective things you can do, add appeal and get a good return, but no return will yield 100% the first year. All will enhance the opportunity to get the best price when you go to sell down the road. Always think of your exit when you go in to buy. What ever issues the last owner had, unless you correct them you too will have to over come them.
I've seen and sold a lot of homes. You'd be amazed at what people do- and are proud of it. Just do not make your inprovements too specific to YOUR tastes. You can go to the Parade of Homes in your area or open house and see the things I've mentioned to get a feel of what to do before you invest. Once you have seen these and made your plan THEN SPEND money, because now you have an clear objective and will more wisely buy.
Best wishes to you in your effort.
What are some fun crafts you can make that can use to decorate your room?
Q. I recently got into making my own furniture and decor for my bedroom lately. I realized it saves a lot of money and its make your room more personal. So I wanted to know if you guys had any cool ideas of some useful things to make that can go in my room???!!!
A. Try a chair covered with a soft, washed denim fabric. Use denim accents in the room, such as trimming a group of red pillows with fat denim cording.
You can even use a denim look to cover the walls. There are paint techniques for chambray and denim-look walls, which will be a perfect accent to a room with a cowboy theme or for a young lady who is crazy about horses.
Denim is a fabric that immediately imparts the feeling of comfort, so it is perfect for bedrooms in particular. Use denim comforters and pillow shams. You can even find chambray sheets and matching curtains.
Try using an old ragged pair of jeans to make valances for the windows, or dress up your curtains with chintz covered cornices.
Keep your walls in the neutral family of colors. Try soft camel beige or a subtle yellow. Pine furniture works well, or you can paint your old wooden furniture in light golden tones.
Furniture that is more casual than formal works better for this particular style. Other teen room decorating ideas to choose from are:
Garden styles. Use floral prints, upholstered furniture, floral area rugs, and balance the look with plain walls, floors, and curtains.
Casual styles. These include rustic themes, sports, nautical, particular hobbies, Americana . . . the possibilities are limitless. For example, a style could be developed around a collection of autographed baseballs, teapots, wooden duck decoys, trophies, art posters, etc.
Decorating with black and white. This style uses black as an anchor to set off a dramatic decorating look.
This teen room decorating idea is for the drama queen or king teenager in your household. Use a black and white floor, crisp white linens and comforters, and upholstered chairs. Set off the black with accents in red or warm gold, but be sure to pick up the black and white theme in lamps, pillows, picture frames, and other elements of the room.
Contemporary styles. These dictate clean lines, sculptural furniture, high ceilings, and geometric artwork.
Make use of brick walls and ceiling pipes. Avoid anything with floral patterns, ruffles, carvings, or traditional details. You are aiming for the look of an art or museum gallery, utilizing a bold, creative, and sculptural style.
Cottage style. This teen room decorating idea works especially well for teenage girls' rooms. Plaid or country-style fabrics work well with white furniture and rustic accent pieces. This style can transform a bedroom into a mini-vacation spot!
European or Parisian style. This is a glamorous style that invokes old world sophistication. It uses furniture and accent pieces from the rococo, baroque, neoclassical to the more modern art deco and cabaret designs.
Your main colors are black, white, and gold, with jewel tones as accents. Choose vintage-style furniture, such as a black or cream painted dresser with gold accents. Fabrics include silks and brocades. For fun, add a few vintage posters of old Parisian nightclubs, French train station signs, and black wrought iron shelves and tables.
The list of possibilities is endless. Find a good time to sit down and go over these teen room decorating ideas, and soon you will find yourself and your teenager working together to reinvent their bedroom.
You can even use a denim look to cover the walls. There are paint techniques for chambray and denim-look walls, which will be a perfect accent to a room with a cowboy theme or for a young lady who is crazy about horses.
Denim is a fabric that immediately imparts the feeling of comfort, so it is perfect for bedrooms in particular. Use denim comforters and pillow shams. You can even find chambray sheets and matching curtains.
Try using an old ragged pair of jeans to make valances for the windows, or dress up your curtains with chintz covered cornices.
Keep your walls in the neutral family of colors. Try soft camel beige or a subtle yellow. Pine furniture works well, or you can paint your old wooden furniture in light golden tones.
Furniture that is more casual than formal works better for this particular style. Other teen room decorating ideas to choose from are:
Garden styles. Use floral prints, upholstered furniture, floral area rugs, and balance the look with plain walls, floors, and curtains.
Casual styles. These include rustic themes, sports, nautical, particular hobbies, Americana . . . the possibilities are limitless. For example, a style could be developed around a collection of autographed baseballs, teapots, wooden duck decoys, trophies, art posters, etc.
Decorating with black and white. This style uses black as an anchor to set off a dramatic decorating look.
This teen room decorating idea is for the drama queen or king teenager in your household. Use a black and white floor, crisp white linens and comforters, and upholstered chairs. Set off the black with accents in red or warm gold, but be sure to pick up the black and white theme in lamps, pillows, picture frames, and other elements of the room.
Contemporary styles. These dictate clean lines, sculptural furniture, high ceilings, and geometric artwork.
Make use of brick walls and ceiling pipes. Avoid anything with floral patterns, ruffles, carvings, or traditional details. You are aiming for the look of an art or museum gallery, utilizing a bold, creative, and sculptural style.
Cottage style. This teen room decorating idea works especially well for teenage girls' rooms. Plaid or country-style fabrics work well with white furniture and rustic accent pieces. This style can transform a bedroom into a mini-vacation spot!
European or Parisian style. This is a glamorous style that invokes old world sophistication. It uses furniture and accent pieces from the rococo, baroque, neoclassical to the more modern art deco and cabaret designs.
Your main colors are black, white, and gold, with jewel tones as accents. Choose vintage-style furniture, such as a black or cream painted dresser with gold accents. Fabrics include silks and brocades. For fun, add a few vintage posters of old Parisian nightclubs, French train station signs, and black wrought iron shelves and tables.
The list of possibilities is endless. Find a good time to sit down and go over these teen room decorating ideas, and soon you will find yourself and your teenager working together to reinvent their bedroom.
How do I make my room more nature like?
Q. I have a very boring bedroom. I want to make it more outdoors like. Im a pretty normal teen age guy. So nothing weird. I really like plaid, fall weather, fall colors, the outdoors, and bears/moose! how do i make this a cool place to just relax with some of my favorite things? color ideas? anything like that would help. thanks!
A. http://thelogfurniturestore.com/Cabin-Bedding-&-Pillows-Rustic-Cabin-Comforter-Sets/c109_202/index.html?OVRAW=lodge%20bedding&OVKEY=lodge%20bedding&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=898021521&OVKWID=5400626021
http://www.target.com/s/189-0586315-7772966?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&keywords=Lodge%20Bed&searchSize=30&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=1038576&AFID=yahoosspslp&searchPage=1&searchRank=relevancerank&LNM=Lodge%20Bed
http://www.ocanadagear.com/stuffed-wallmount-heads.htm
http://www.logcabinrustics.com/?OVRAW=lodge%20furniture&OVKEY=log%20furniture&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=14597819013&OVKWID=141076441013
Have fun.
http://www.target.com/s/189-0586315-7772966?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&keywords=Lodge%20Bed&searchSize=30&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=1038576&AFID=yahoosspslp&searchPage=1&searchRank=relevancerank&LNM=Lodge%20Bed
http://www.ocanadagear.com/stuffed-wallmount-heads.htm
http://www.logcabinrustics.com/?OVRAW=lodge%20furniture&OVKEY=log%20furniture&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=14597819013&OVKWID=141076441013
Have fun.
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Title Post: How do we increase the value of our home?
Rating: 94% based on 1258 ratings. 4,3 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 94% based on 1258 ratings. 4,3 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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