You probably associate autumn with getting ready for the holidays, and falling leaves and temperatures, but how about upgrading your home? If you are looking to sell your home and/or prepare for your home inspection, and there are a few projects that you want to get done to get it ready for its time in the spotlight, top agents agree that fall is the best time to renovate, and here are a few reasons why.
Think ahead of spring and summer “high season”
If you are aiming to sell in spring and summer — typically when the most sellers are out on the prowl — you don’t want to wait until then to take care of home remodel projects. Builders and contractors are typically busiest during warmer months, which means less wait time renovating your home if you try to book in the fall.
You want to renovate before selling
While major home remodels have a low return on investment, some upgrades do carry a fairly high return. Although redoing the attic insulation might not be glamorous, functional types of projects like that, which cost $5,000 or less, tend to rank high in terms of costs recouped, and may prevent them from showing up on your home inspection report.
If you aren’t sure of the best areas of your home to address before putting up that “for sale” sign, this video has you covered.
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We’ve also looked at agent insights from the last quarter to find out some of the best fall home renovation projects:
Weatherstrip door and window frames
Reducing air leakage in your home is a cost-effective way to make it more energy-efficient. Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment. Making this upgrade will save you money while you are getting ready to put your home on the market, and be an attractive feature to pitch to potential buyers. Most home inspectors will have deteriorated or damaged caulking and weatherstripping flagged in their inspection reports.
Check plumbing insulation
Pipe insulation is another fix that can help you save on energy costs and upgrade your home. For cold water pipes, insulation helps them stay cool. For warm water pipes, insulation will keep the heat in between the water heater and the faucet.
Replace or repair your roof
When you put your home on the market, the condition of your roof is important — buyers want to know that they don’t need to foot the bill for a new roof on their new home. Adding a new roof is also a step that can help you with improving home value. In a HomeLight Q3 2019 survey, agents estimated that you’ll recoup 94% of your roof investment at resale. Professional home inspectors agree that fall is an ideal time for a roof replacement as temperatures are typically warm enough for shingles to adhere, but not so hot that workers and materials get overheated.
Plant or prune trees and shrubs
According to the same HomeLight survey, and the U.S. Forest Service, “each large front yard tree adds to a home’s sale price.” The Forest Service notes that healthy, mature trees, add, on average, 10% to a property’s value. One of the best times of year to plant trees and shrubs is fall, after leaf drop. If you already have trees and shrubs in your front or backyard, fall is an ideal time to check on their health.
With any fall improvement, your house will be one step closer to looking its best for your home inspection, and its future owner.
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Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.
Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote:
Decorate Smart: Furniture Buying Tips When You’re Upgrading Your Space
Whether it’s because you’re finally moving out of your parents’ house, or you just want to update the look of your space, buying furniture for the first time can both be very exciting and quite confusing. Not only are there an unlimited number of choices from material to design, furniture pieces also come with a broad range of prices and deals that can be overwhelming. Without a bit of know-how, it’s easy to fall for “bargains” that are not really bargains at all, and can actually be money traps. No matter if you’ve been adulting for a while or this is your first try, we’ve got some smart furniture buying tips that will help you find the right furniture for your budget.
Beware of 0%
Usually, 0% interest type deals are marked up to make up for the cost of financing. In reality, you end up paying more when all is said and done. You probably won’t feel it as much because the payments are distributed over a set period of time. Having a little bit of patience to wait for sales or for your buying power to increase can end up saving you money in the long run.
Consider Quality
Buy good quality furniture. This is especially true when it comes to beds. You will spend a third of your life in bed, so you need a sturdy one that can last you many years. The same goes for other furniture pieces. Quality furniture may be more pricey up-front, but will last much longer than its lower-quality counterparts. Save up for pieces that will last you a long time so you don’t end up spending more for replacements.
Understand the different types of furniture
Upholstered furniture will typically have a shorter lifespan compared to raw materials due to wear and tear. Check to see if the upholstered furniture you are eyeing is sturdy. Hardwood frames usually offer the most support. Tight back sofas require less maintenance, but look more formal. Make sure the foam insert will support your weight, is comfortable for your needs, and won’t dip or sag over time.
Things to do before buying furniture:
Measure your space
Don’t go to the furniture store to get the biggest and best quality bed you can afford only to find out that it doesn’t fit when it’s delivered to your home. Measure your available space and buy pieces that fit appropriately within them. The same goes for all areas of your home so you don’t end up with furniture that is either too big or too small.
Window shop first
Do your research. Scour your town for deals and furniture sales. Physically sit in, lay on and test the pieces to see if they fit your needs. Ask store employees and owners questions about their products. Ask your friends and family member’s opinions about furniture. Read online reviews to get a feel for what other owners either complain about, or love about certain pieces.
Budget
Figure out how much you are willing to spend on furniture. Setting a budget is important. If your budget doesn’t allow for the pieces you want, keep saving or look for a less-expensive, similar alternative. Either way, staying within your budget is better than buying something you can’t afford or increasing your debt.
This guest post (originally published here) is brought to you by: Payment1.com
Call or Email Us Today!
Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.
Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote:
