Aging houses are fueling a home improvement boom

Neither of these loans will require you to change the terms or interest rate of your existing mortgage. 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. However, it’s a good idea to weigh closing costs against interest rate savings and the potential increase in value to determine if a cash-out refinance makes sense for you. If you plan to move soon or take out only a small amount of money, a cash-out refinance may not be the best option.

  • Alternatively, you may want to consider a home improvement loan.
  • Buyers have certain expectations, and that includes getting a house that has been well maintained and is safe and livable.
  • So needless to say, swapping it out makes a huge impact for very little money.
  • “The process is simple,” says Mike McAllister, owner of Riverside Kitchen Center in Mount Vernon, Washington.

However, you’ll have to spend a few hundred dollars for a company to do one in some places. Even newly constructed homes can see huge benefits from having an energy audit performed. Not every clogged drain or drippy faucet needs professional plumbing help. With a few inexpensive tools, an informational article or two and a little patience, you’ll be surprised how simple some of the fixes really are. It also comes with a long list of things to do to keep the home in working order or improve our surroundings.

A new shower head, toilet seat and taps will spruce up your bathroom without breaking the bank. New grouting can also be relatively cheap depending on the size of your bathroom. You should also replace carpets with vinyl or tiles as they’re easier to clean.

Up Next: An Honest Day’s Labors

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.

Our remodeling experts will help you choose from a wide selection of doors that fit the look and feel of your home. We only install the highest quality doors and back it up with 103 years’ reputation in the business. Exceptional energy efficiency and durability, limited manufacturer’s lifetime warranty, expertly measured & installed.

Lighten the floors

They are pricey, they last much longer than incandescent or CFLs and they are more energy efficient… Just wondering if y’all have any ideas on what I can do to save my garage from falling over. Seems like an interesting little problem, doesn’t it? Well, the garage in question was built sometime around …

In most cases, you’ll need to leave some money in the home to refinance. Assume you can only refinance 80% of the value of the home. That means $40,000 stays in the home, and you take out $25,000, minus closing costs, in cash.

By Brina