7 Home Improvement Tasks to Complete Before Listing Your House

Below is a list of home renovation programs and ideas to help you afford that Chip and Joanna-approved renovated house of your dreams and maintain a happy, healthy living environment. We have taken reasonable steps to ensure that any information provided by The Motley Fool Ltd, is accurate at the time of publishing. Any opinions expressed are the opinions of the authors only.

However, you’ll pay a higher interest rate than you would with a cash-out refinance, and you’ll take on an additional monthly payment. A cash-out refinance is a low-cost way to make home improvements when you don’t have the money on hand. Refinancing can be a good way to borrow a lot of money at once, which means expensive renovations are in reach and won’t take much from your monthly budget. When homeowners are looking for projects that pay off, experts say new garage doors top their list.

There are specific renovations that historically have been more valuable than others. Here are some that earn the biggest bang for your renovation buck, based on the latest intel from the Remodeling 2021 Cost vs Value Report report and Angi. Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices.

• Pantries and storage closets may need extra shelving and organization too.
• Attach to your closet door with construction adhesive for a permanent look or use removable picture-hanging strips if you’re renting.
• It’s better to be safe than sorry, which surely applies to your home security!
• Mortgage interest is usually tax-deductible, but the interest on many other types of debt is not.

If you can afford to, giving your home a refresh is an exciting prospect. As the needs of you and your family change, home improvements are a great way to usher in new chapters of your life. From renovating your loft to building a home office, the opportunities are endless for anyone looking for home improvement ideas in the UK.

Give your bathroom vanity a makeover, replace the toilet and faucet if needed, update the shower head for a better shower experience and re-caulk the bathroom tub. While there is a fairly large ‘grey market’ of unlicensed companies, there are those that have membership in a reputable association and/or are accredited by a professional organization. Homeowners are recommended to perform checks such as verifying license and insurance and checking business references prior to hiring a contractor to work on their house. Professional home improvement is ancient and goes back to the beginning of recorded civilization.

DTI is calculated by combining all your recurring monthly debt and dividing it by your gross monthly income. The maximum DTI allowed varies by loan type and lender, but you’ll typically need a DTI of 50% or lower. You can use the cash for home improvements or anything else you need – debt consolidation, tuition or even a newer car.

Look for help with repairing or making improvements to your home. The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies advances understanding of housing issues and informs policy. Through graduate and executive courses, as well as fellowships and internship opportunities, the Center also trains and inspires the next generation of housing leaders.

Some homeowners take out a home equity line of credit to pay for renovations, but it’s possible to spruce up a home without taking on debt. If you have a brick fireplace and burn wood in it, chances are some of the brick is stained with soot and creosote. Because a beautiful fireplace can be a significant selling point in a home, make yours look as attractive House & Home Improvement as possible. Use a damp rag to wipe away some of the soot, then follow with a fireplace cleaner designed to remove creosote. It will take some scrubbing with a stiff brush and possibly several applications, but you’ll have that brick looking spiffy when you’re finished. I asked the number crunchers at the real estate website Zillow to take a look.

The renovation revolution: Gabrielle Omar on Quick Little Builds

Another reason people use a home improvement loan is to complete projects they know will increase the value of their home. There’s a wide variety of projects that help boost the value of your home. This can make a huge difference when you’re ready to sell your home. Our remodeling experts will help you choose from a wide selection of doors that fit the look and feel of your home.

Home equity loan or HELOC

This small-scale table is a perfect size for beside the front door. Though compact, the table’s lower shelf makes the piece super functional for drop-zone items. Hang a wall-mount shelf above the table to keep keys, hats, and sunglasses within easy reach. Spruce up every room in your home with our collection of quick and easy do-it-yourself home improvement projects.