[Kde-i18n-vi] Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off - Direct Buy

[paul.kholer paul.kholer]

Direct Buy


Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and
gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that
easy, we ask ourselves. Could I do it? Where do I begin? What home
improvement projects will generate the biggest increase in the value of my
home?

What Do You Want and What Can You Afford?

There are several good reasons for wanting to redecorate or remodel your
home. If your residence no longer reflects your changing tastes and
lifestyle but you don't want to leave a desirable neighborhood, maybe all
you need to do is make one or two basic changes. Altering a color scheme,
converting a bedroom into a home office, or upgrading the kitchen and
bathroom are practical improvements that add esthetic appeal and financial
value. If a move is in the future, you want home improvement projects that
will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it's time to sell.

Whatever your motives for improving your home, make a wish list with three
categories:

* Must have

* Would like to have

* Dreams can come true

When your list is complete, consider the amount of money you have available
or are prepared to borrow. Unless you have unlimited funds, make a realistic
estimate of what you can afford. Are you planning major renovations that
will require the services of an architect or a contractor? Will you need an
electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, a painter, or all four? How much work
can you do yourself? All these factors must be taken into account as you
pare down your list into affordable home improvement projects.

How Do You Begin?

Every project starts with a plan. Itemize everything you want and think you
can afford, and include a design of rooms to be remodeled. If you are going
to require professional help, now is the time to talk to contractors,
plumbers, and other tradesmen, and to ask for estimates. Comparison-shopping
is a must. If you are an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, price materials and
tools needed. If you can't afford to do everything on your list, reassess
your prime needs and make a new plan.

What Projects Are Key?

The best projects for improving the value of your home are, happily, the
most affordable and the easiest to do yourself, even if you are a super
klutz. Ask any real estate agent for tips on how to prepare a home for
resale and you will be told that the house and yard should be cleaned and
all clutter removed. Creating suitable home storage facilities and cleaning
and painting the interior and exterior of your house, therefore, are the
jobs that top the list of desirable improvements. The premium projects that
usually require professional help are kitchen remodeling first and bathroom
remodeling second. These particular upgrades will provide the best return
for your money, and the real estate industry has statistics to prove it.

Clean Everything in Sight

Cleaning your home and yard is a great improvement project, and if you are
remodeling, it will be the final step after the dust has settled. You will
need something heavy-duty like tri-sodium phosphate or its equivalent to
wash most surfaces inside and outside the house. There are also special
cleaners for glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, and wood, and for
getting rid of unpleasant molds and mildew. Visit your friendly hardware
store and read labels. There are cleaners for almost every material and for
solving almost every cleaning problem. Make sure rooms are well ventilated
whenever you are cleaning, carefully follow directions, and wear gloves and
a mask.

Removing clutter is another worthwhile project and requires adequate home
storage with a combination of cabinets, shelves and bins, and sufficient
strength of mind to discard all junk, no matter how much you love it. You
can buy easy-to-assemble shelving and cabinets in a great variety of sizes
and materials at affordable prices. Small, decorative containers can be used
to organize and conceal the ongoing accumulations of such items as incoming
mail. In the yard, removing clutter means getting rid of dead trees, dead
branches, broken slabs and stones in patios and walkways, and tidying up the
garden and lawn. When faced with clutter, ruthlessly throw it out, recycle
it, hold a garage sale, donate it to the charity of your choice – get rid of
it.

Interior painting and exterior painting should be next on your list of
preferred home improvement projects. Fresh paint helps make your home look
clean, bright, and spacious. When selecting colors for the exterior, don't
forget to do something about that bland front door. Have fun! Fresh,
harmonious colors add beauty and personality to your home both inside and
out.

Put Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling High on the List

Although remodeling a kitchen seems like a daunting task, a complete
overhaul pays great dividends if and when you sell your home. Purchasing new
cabinets and appliances are worthy goals, but you can also make minor
changes that will create impact. If you can't replace the kitchen cabinets,
replace the cabinet doors at least. If that is also beyond your means, add
molding to the cabinet doors, paint them, and replace the hardware. It's not
that difficult or expensive to replace an outdated sink, and if you can't
afford a new stove, fridge and dishwasher, don't hang on to those gold or
avocado monstrosities – buy attractive reconditioned replacements.

Bathroom remodeling is the next most important improvement and the biggest
dividends come from installing a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower
stall, as well as attractive tiles and custom cabinets. Again, if you can't
manage a complete makeover, replace the tired old taps, faucets and
showerhead; add shelves; and paint and redecorate the cabinets.

http://www.directbuy.com/
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