August is here and with it comes the beginning of the end of the home improvement season. It is time to figure out what will get done this year and what can wait. Everyone knows that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, but which other late summer/early fall projects can both enhance your life and also add equity to your bottom line?
Takeaways:
Home improvement projects can dramatically impact the value of your home
Being strategic in which projects you tackle can pay dividends when and if you decide to sell
Several fall projects top the list
Home improvement projects can be a cost effective way to simultaneously improve your family’s quality of life and increase the value of one of your largest investments. Traditionally spring is thought of as home improvement time, but several key projects lend themselves to action now.
Boost Curb Appeal
One simple but impactful aspect of your home’s value is curb appeal. It also happens to be one spot where a small investment can provide a large impact. Something small like a new front door in an accent color can not only make your home pop aesthetically, it can also save energy, a key consideration this time of year. You might also consider swapping out external lighting fixtures with newer metallic or bronze versions to add sizzle and increase security, turning a small investment into a big change in the perception of your home.
A new garage door, windows or siding are some larger projects to consider. Though the expense for these projects can be significant, tackling them in fall can be a savvy move as materials and labor tend to be less expensive this time of year as building supply inventory sits and contractor business wanes.
Landscaping is another traditional spring project to instead consider tackling now. Since spring planting is the norm, many yards are full of shrubbery and plants that bloom seasonally in spring and early summer. By accenting your landscaping with some fall planting, you can have vibrant colors through to winter.
Add Square Footage
Despite our best efforts to fight it, winter inevitably means additional time spent indoors. Now is the time to make the most of that time by adding usable space to your home by finishing an attic or basement. A workout room, home office or spare bedroom can help you get the most out of the space you already have without the cost and hassle of an addition.
Keep in mind that while simply adding usable square footage is good, making that space conform as a bedroom is better. You may be interested in building a basement workout room, but spending a few hundred extra dollars to add an egress window allows you to classify that space as another bedroom, better positioning you to recoup the cost.
Another sure sign of winter for busy families is an entryway littered with boots and coats. Consider adding a mudroom now to deliver additional usable square footage and make winter organization much more manageable. Your kids still won’t put anything away, but at least you’ll have a spot for everything when you do.
Improve Energy Efficiency
The white stuff will fly soon enough, now is the time to get a jump on energy efficiency. This is one area where a professional consultation can really prove impactful. A home energy audit offered by your utility company for free or at a nominal expense will go a long way toward helping you understand what is actionable for your particular home.
Sure, they’ll try and talk you into low-flow shower heads, but you can ignore that and focus on the other advice that can really move the needle for your finances this winter. Frequently several small and inexpensive changes can make a world of difference, but every home is different and it really takes an expert to diagnose those for you.
By staying strategic with your fall home improvement efforts, you can invest some sweat equity this late summer and early fall and enjoy the impacts into winter and beyond. And by carefully considering which projects you pursue, you can be confident in the impact to your finances now and into the future.