Vpen DOO• I Home Improvements

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The top 5 home improvement projects
that increase your home's value.

(StatePoint) Selling a home in today's
aggressive marketplace can be
challenging. The good news is there are a
few tweaks that can give homeowners a
serious leg up on the competition.
With the warmer months being the
most active time of year to buy and sell
real estate, it's important to ensure your
home is seen in the best light possible.
"Despite the influx of homes for sale
this season, the process of buying and
selling a home can be simple, efficient
and enjoyable," says Wendy Froehlich
of Homes.com , one of the nation's top
online real estate listing and lifestyle
resources.
According to Homes.com , there are
five projects that
improve home equity
the most.
First, look to
your bathrooms. If
adding an additional
bathroom isn't an
option, upgrade
existing ones. Adding
a dual vanity to a
master or secondary
bath improves
functionality, allowing multiple people
to use the space. Change out fixtures like
faucets and shower doors to increase
aesthetic appeal. If you're on a budget,
replace light fixtures or switch plates to
help refresh the space.
When working with a small space,
highlight storage options with shelving
and update or remove wall decor, paint
or wallpaper.
Next, head to the kitchen. Kitchen
renovations can cost anywhere from
$20,000 to $40,000 and more. If that's
not in your budget, upgrading cabinetry
and paint does wonders to liven up even
the most outdated spaces.
Add crown or decorative molding to
"shape out" the kitchen cabinets and
modernize the space. Repaint cabinets, or
add new hardware to add visual interest
and brighten dark spaces.

14 OPEN DOOR Magazine • May 2013

What's the view of your house from
the street? Curb appeal adds immediate
interest to any home's exterior. According
to Remodeling Magazine, improving
outdoor spaces can increase a home's
resale value dollar-for-dollar.
Frame the front walkway with items
that add visual interest, like flowers,
potted plants, large rocks of various sizes
and solar-powered lights. If yard space is
scarce, hanging plants are another great,
low-cost option.
Extend outdoor projects to the
backyard — power-wash decks or patios
and clean screened-in areas.
Head downstairs. Basement improvements
can optimize livable space and protect the
home from extreme
weather, mold,
moisture damage
and mites. Whether
transitioning the
basement to a
home gym, office
or family room, the
basics remain the
same: insulate well
and waterproof.
Maximize space
by including shelving and storage units.
If the opportunity exists, make the space
feel open and inviting by creating an open
stairwell, a trick that visually connects the
upper part of the house with the lower,
and filters natural light into the space.
Finally, consider adding a mudroom.
Mudrooms ensure families stay clutter-
free and have a dedicated space to drop
stuff as they come through the door. They
can also make potential homeowners feel
welcome upon entry.
While knocking out a wall to create
a mudroom is expensive and labor-
intensive, you can make a "drop zone' by
simply anchoring a bench to an empty
wall and hanging labeled storage units.
Making homes stand out in a sea of
real estate listings isn't always easy. More
tips on increasing home values can be
found at www.Homes.com . ❑

Go Natural!

Some ideas to make your
home stand out.

(StatePoint) Remodeling your home? Don't just
keep up with the Joneses. Go a step further by
giving your home truly unique upgrades.
Experts say that one great way to be
distinctive and add value to your home is by
going natural.
So if you're thinking of redoing your
countertops, floors, walls or other key home
elements like no one else on your block, think
marble, granite and salvaged lumber.
"There is no way to duplicate nature in a laboratory
or manufacturing environment," says Garen
Distelhorst, communications director at the Marble
Institute of America. "Natural stone is quarried
from rock beds formed over millions of years. You're
never going to find two pieces exactly alike."
Here are some benefits of natural materials for
you to consider:

• RETURN ON INVESTMENT: In many cases,

marble and granite are less expensive than
other premium materials and add value to a
home when it's time to sell. According to the
most current data available, natural stone
recovered between 80 to 86 percent of its
remodeling cost at the time of resale.

• DURABILITY: Natural stone stands up to

weathering and time better than any other
building material, natural or manmade. Stone
floors, countertops and wall cladding will last
for at least 100 years in many cases.

• SUSTAINABILITY: Natural stone is an envi-

ronmentally friendly choice because it's nearly
100 percent recyclable and is not bonded by
petroleum-based resins or created in a factory.

• VERSATILITY: The number of different colors,

patterns and textures of natural stone is limitless.
This may make finding the perfect cuts to fit your
design needs a bit of a chore, but what you end
up with will be unique to your home. And differ-
ent finishes and edge treatments can lend the
same kind of stone a different quality and look.

• CLEANING: You can toss aside the heavy duty

cleaners that irritate your eyes and nose. Warm
water, mild dishwashing liquid and a soft cloth
are all you need to maintain most natural stone
surfaces. ❑