How To Boost the Curb Appeal of Your Yard

Whether you’re doing it in preparation for selling your home or for personal reasons, improving how your yard looks takes a lot of time and effort. Fortunately, you can do some things to make a lasting impact that doesn’t require constant upkeep. Our guide today is on how to boost the curb appeal of your yard.

Change Up Your Landscape

The constant upkeep of a grass yard is not only time consuming but also quite costly, especially if you don’t get a lot of rain where you live. Plus, grass yards aren’t all that interesting, since they look the same as everyone else’s. That’s why you should start your yard makeover with some xeriscaping, or, as it’s better known, drought-resistant landscaping. Sure, you’ll still have some plants that will need some maintenance, but it will be significantly less than if you had grass.

Pave a New Driveway and Walkway

Stone driveways are popular choices since they’re more colorful and varied than standard asphalt; plus, they don’t require much upkeep. Depending on the stones you use, your driveway could last up to 100 years before it starts breaking apart. While you’re at it, you might as well replace the concrete leading up to your front door so that everything matches and flows well together.

Buy Some New Manhole Covers

Whether it’s in their yards or on their driveways, many people have at least one manhole cover on their properties—and now that you’ve made all of these stylish changes, it’s going to stick out like a sore thumb. Obviously, you can’t remove the hole, but you can replace the cover. Manhole covers can actually be made of quite a few different kinds of materials, so you’ll be able to pick out the type that best matches your new yard.

Switch Out Your Garage Door

If you have a plain garage door, then our final tip on how to boost the curb appeal of your yard is to buy a new one that goes well with your updated driveway. Anybody can have a plain white garage door. Purchasing one that matches the current décor of your home as well as your new and improved yard will significantly improve the overall look of your property.

10 Things To Take Care of Before Listing Your Home

Getting ready to list your home for sale is less stressful when you’re well prepared. Follow our list of 10 things to take care of before listing your home and feel confident as your home goes on the market.

Declutter Surfaces

It’s difficult to move on to the other items on the list if the house is covered in clutter. Start with all of the surfaces of the house, such as counters, coffee tables, and nightstands. Next, delve into the corners of the house where you’ve stashed things under beds and tables.

Clean and Dust

Give your home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Pay special attention to flooring, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Get your broom and vacuum ready because it’s time for the dust bunnies to make an exit. Dust everything from ceiling fans to under furniture.

Unclog the Drains

Buyers who are interested in a home will run the water and flush toilets. The last thing you need is a clogged or backed-up drain. Watch for signs that you’ve got a backup in your drainage system and get it fixed before listing your home.

Get Organized

Make the house look so organized that you start to reconsider selling. The most important areas for organization are kitchen cabinets, pantries, and closets. Spend a Saturday organizing, and it’ll make quite an impact during showings.

Paint Doors and Trim

Freshen up the house with touch-up paint on the doors and trim if your trim is outdated or painted and needs refreshing. White is popular and makes rooms look brighter.

Replace Lightbulbs

Walk through the house and replace any dull or burnt-out lightbulbs. This is a simple way to brighten up rooms and make them look clean and bigger.

Shine Glass and Appliances

Grab your favorite window and appliance cleaners and a roll of paper towels and shine all the shiny glass surfaces in your house. Here are some places to consider cleaning:

• Stove

• Dishwasher

• Refrigerator

• Stone counters

• Windows

• Doors

• Mirrors

Open Up Window Treatments

Let the sunshine in and make rooms look bigger by opening all your window treatments. Remove heavy drapes and open blinds and shades. Make sure any window treatments still hanging are freshly cleaned.

Keep the House Cool

When buyers walk through a stuffy home, it gives them a negative feeling. Keep the house set at a cool temperature so buyers feel alert and the house isn’t humid or sticky. Run ceiling fans if the air conditioning isn’t enough.

Make the Garage Attractive

Finally, clean out the garage. Try these steps for a clean and organized garage:

1. Remove everything.

2. Sweep it out and hose down the floor.

3. Remove cobwebs from corners.

4. Wash windows.

5. Go through items removed and donate or throw away what you don’t need.

6. Add shelving if you don’t have any.

7. Place what’s left neatly on the shelves.

8. Pull cars back in.

We hope our list of 10 things to take care of before listing your home helps as you prepare for an exciting move. Remember, every step is worth it for a stress-free, quick home sale.

6 Best Ways to Fund Your Home Improvement Project

Homes need a little love every now and then. Maybe it’s finally time to make it a little more livable by finishing your basement or your attic or giving your bathroom tiles a serious refurbishing. You could also be planning on selling your house, and you want to raise its value, or maybe there are some small issues here and there that could potentially become full-fledged problems sooner rather than later. 

Whatever your reason for a home improvement project, you’re probably second-guessing due to the money often required to pull it off. Sure, small projects may only require grabbing equipment already available to you and a few hours out of your day, but big changes like bathroom renovations can amount to around $8,000. Remodeling your kitchen can get even pricier as it can cost upwards of $12,000.

While saving up for a specific project is the ideal way to pay for your home upgrade, it isn’t always possible. It will depend on the size of your project, your current financial situation, home equity, credit, and the goals you wish to achieve with this improvement. 

Once you’ve decided to push through with your project, you have several options when it comes to financing it. 

1. Cash-Out Refinance 

Cash-Out refinance lets you change the terms of your mortgage and cash out a portion of the equity you have in your home. You can then pocket the difference between your old mortgage and this new loan to make home improvements. 

However, there are a few drawbacks to this financing option, so consider it carefully. You should only opt to refinance if you can secure a lower interest rate than what you pay right now. With this method, keep in mind that you will need to pay for an appraisal, taxes, origination fees, and other closing-related costs. 

2. Home Remodel or Repair Loans

If you’re only planning a small or midsize project like a window replacement or a simple bathroom makeover, this is the financing option for you. 

Banks, credit unions, and a host of online lenders offer home improvement loans. These are typically unsecured personal loans, which means you won’t need to use your house as collateral to qualify. Your qualification, as well as your interest rate, will be based largely on your credit score. 

For this type of loan, funding comes quickly once you agree to the terms and conditions. Lenders will deposit the money straight into your account in as little as 24 hours. Compared to HELOCs, home remodel or repair loans have shorter repayment timelines, fewer fees, and lower loan amounts.

Be wary of this option, though, especially if you have fair or poor credit. Since this type of loan is unsecured, they typically have higher rates than HELOCs. Before getting a loan, make sure to do thorough research on the loan lenders you come in contact with, as some may charge exorbitant fees for application processing and late payments. Compare and contrast so that you can choose loan lenders that offer friendly repayment terms, quick payouts, and lower interest rates. 

3. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

When it comes to home improvement financing, HELOCs are a common choice. HELOCs are secured loans wherein you can qualify for lower rates compared to unsecured personal loans. 

However, with HELOCs, you will have to put up your home as collateral, so there is a possibility of it being foreclosed should you not make your payments on time. HELOCs also have variable interests, which means the increase of your payments will directly depend on market conditions. 

A HELOC is a revolving credit, meaning you can take what you need when you need it up until you reach your borrowing limit. This financing option is perfect for ongoing or lengthy renovation projects. 

Remember that, since you’re borrowing against your house, you will need sufficient home equity. Make sure to have at least 15 to 20% equity in your home. 

4. Home Equity Loan 

If you know just how much you’re going to spend on your home improvement project, why not get a home equity loan? Also known as a second mortgage, this type of loan is a lump sum that you can repay over a number of years, typically in regular fixed monthly payments. 

Unlike HELOCs, you wouldn’t need to worry about market fluctuations as once you lock in your fixed interest rate, you will be paying the same amount monthly over the life of your loan. 

However, this loan offers less payment flexibility than with a HELOC. Missing payments can also significantly damage you, as home equity loans use your home as collateral. 

5. Government Loans 

One way to save on the cost of insurance and interest is by applying for a government loan. 

One type of loan that the government provides is the HUD Title I Property Improvement Loan that lets you borrow up to $25,000 without having any equity in your home. However, some home upgrades may not qualify for this loan. You have to make sure that the money from this loan will go towards renovations that improve the livability of your home.

6. Credit Card

Keep in mind that there are huge risks associated with making large home adjustments on a credit card, such as high fees and interest rates. Using your card is best saved for making minor updates to your home. This can include installing a new closet system or adding small pieces of furniture here and there. Take advantage of cards that are interest-free for the first few months.

Aside from all the financing options stated above, remember to plan well. Do your research and create a budget you’re sure you can stick to. Keep track of all your expenses and be smart when buying furniture, materials for construction, and other paraphernalia.

How to Save Money on Home Repairs and Regular Maintenance

Buying a home is one of the best investments one can ever make during his/her lifetime. After you’ve purchased one, you’ll enjoy the control, comfort, and security that comes with owning a home. While buying a home is an expensive investment, you will always carry out routine maintenance to ensure it’s in good working condition. Regular maintenance will give you a peaceful mind as you continue living in your dream home. But how can you save money for home repairs and regular maintenance? The following are a few helpful tips to help maximize your savings.

Do The Repairs/Maintenance Yourself

Not every home repair will require outsourcing for a professional fixer. There are some repairs you can comfortably handle by yourself to save on the general maintenance cost. For instance, you can have regular inspections of your gutters and downspouts to ensure they aren’t clogged. Also, if your residential garage door openers are broken, you can always find a perfect replacement match. However, if you notice an issue beyond your repair, you should contact an expert. Remember to prioritize quality when purchasing a replacement. Garage doors are heavy and could cause serious damages if they aren’t handled properly.

Practice Preventive Maintenance

While this doesn’t come as a surprise, prevention is always better than cure. As a homeowner, you are advised to practice basic maintenance practices that cost little. This prevents major problems from manifesting. For example, regular cleaning of roofs and gutter is simple, yet it can protect your roof from getting damaged faster. Also, you can keep your home clean to keep away rodents and critters from damaging your home valuables.

Use Alternative/Clean Sources of Energy

Using alternative sources of energy can significantly reduce the cost of home maintenance. Unlike conventional energy sources, alternative energy is cheap hence saves you utility bills. Additionally, alternative energy sources are clean energies. This means that they won’t produce soot in your roofing or ceiling. This, therefore, saves you the cost of ceiling/roof repair.

Hire Qualified Professionals

Whether you need gutter repairs, roof maintenance, or window repair, then having a qualified expert helps you save money in the long run. Since many homeowners don’t believe this, they often hire cheap and nonqualified fixers to do the job. Unqualified persons are more likely to do shoddy jobs that won’t last long before you need them again. On the other side, qualified professionals will charge you a reasonable price to do the repairs and maintenance with professionality. Plus, they have the right tools and experience to ensure every maintenance is done perfectly for longer service.

It feels good to own a home. However, as a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to ensure your home remains in its tiptop condition. While the cost of maintaining a home can be high, the above-mentioned tips will help you save significantly on home repairs and maintenance.