If your home has single-pane windows, they could be wasting up to 25% of your energy costs. Improve your home’s energy efficiency by replacing single-pane windows with high-performance double-pane Energy Star-rated windows. Look for windows labeled low-emissivity (low-E) or spectrally selective—they have a coating that reduces thermal heat transfer. Beaded board lends a traditional touch to kitchens and bathrooms. Cut holes in the boards or sheets for outlets, phone jacks, and other wall necessities. Be sure to finish it with a waterproof sealant if you are installing it behind or around a sink.
- Attach to your closet door with construction adhesive for a permanent look or use removable picture-hanging strips if you’re renting.
- Victoria Araj is a Section Editor for Rocket Mortgage and held roles in mortgage banking, public relations and more in her 15+ years with the company.
- So its finally time to replace that old inefficient dishwasher with a new energy efficient model.
- A garden hot tub – though lovely – could be viewed as something of a frippery and while it might set some hearts racing, it’s very much a case of taste.
- Check with a tax professional to see how this applies to you and if you’re able to claimrefinance tax deductions.
I am planning to installPVC window trim with vinyl siding that already exists on the house. Right now, the windows meet the siding with only J channel between them. In preparation for the installation of the PVC trim, I just want to make sure that I …
Maintenance and repair
The right home improvements could make your home more appealing to buyers down the line. If you refinance at the right time, you could find yourself in an even better loan than you had before. You could gain access to some of your equity and lower your mortgage payment at the same time. If you refinance with an FHA loan, you’ll need 15% equity in your home. VA loans, on the other hand, are unique in that you can refinance 100% of the home’s value.
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Refinancing is a low-interest way to get tax-free cash for remodeling your kitchen, finishing your basement or anything you choose. Get free, objective, performance-based recommendations for top real estate agents in your area. Unless you’re a structural engineer, you’ll want to consult with a professional to confirm the wall you’re removing is indeed non-load-bearing.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, which surely applies to your home security! If you want to add more safety features to your home but can’t seem to follow through, make it one of your top priorities in the new year. One of the easiest projects you can do is give your front door a fresh coat of paint.
For a modern take on beaded board, try wider plank paneling. Make a worn dining table or old countertops look luxurious by transforming them into chic marble focal pieces. This unique and crafty DIY combines leftover project paint, ultra high-gloss epoxy and basic craft supplies to recreate the veining lines and texture found in real marble.
Installing hardwood flooring can make a dramatic improvement to any room in your home! Installing the hardwood is not that difficult but does require a couple of specialty tools to do the job right. Most importantly you need an air compressor and hose as well as a flooring nailer/stapler. Just about anyone who has older hardwood floors in their home or has discovered they have them under their carpet has thought about refinishing them. It is true you could hire someone to do this task, but if you have ever gotten it priced out you were probably surprised by the cost. In the bathrooms of many of our homes that are Pre-1980’s you will probably have a plugin in the wall with a large front cover and a small single plugin the middle.
Hang Outdoor String Lights
They lived in suburban Detroit with a neighbor that was full of great advice and didn’t show his full face until the series finale. But the Taylors’ house was filled with more than a few subtle details many fans might have missed. Invest in area rugs to make “rooms” in open spaces.They’re the quickest way to create cohesive areas for dining, lounging, etc. Add a pendant to the entryway.Try something eye-catching and cinematic. It should take less than an hour to replace the current fixture, to the tune of about $100 for installation.