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Karen Lawes

Selling Your House? Five Home Improvement Projects That Boost Resale Value

by Karen Lawes on December 22

The real estate market is tough these days. With depressed prices and so many homes on the market, buyers have the luxury of being picky.

If your house isn’t attracting much interest, it might be time to consider tackling a few projects that will make it stand out. The extra effort is especially important if you need to sell quickly.

You probably don’t want to dump a ton of money into a house you’re trying to sell, and understandably so. But even a small investment can lead to a big payoff – namely, a higher sale price and fewer days on the market.

1. Spice Up Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the most important room in the house when it comes to resale value. If you’re going to pick just one room to improve, this should be the one. The kitchen alone can make or break a sale.

Complete kitchen remodels cost tens of thousands of dollars, but you don’t have to gut the room and start from scratch to make a big impact. Have the cabinets refinished or resurfaced and change the hardware. You can alter the look and feel of the room for less than $1,000.

2. Replace Old Carpet

There are few things as unappealing as carpet that is stained or smelly. Some buyers simply won’t be able to look past it, even though replacing carpet is quick and relatively inexpensive.

Carpet is much cheaper than other types of flooring, although prices vary widely depending on quality. You can spend $1 per square foot for the cheap stuff or $10 for high-end carpeting. When you’re selling your home, you probably want to split the difference and opt for mid-grade.

3. Add A Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to give your home a facelift. For a few hundred dollars, you can make the entire home look brighter and cleaner. Removing old wallpaper can also drastically improve the look of your home’s interior.

Painting can easily be a do-it-yourself project, or you can hire a professional.  Whatever method you choose, always choose neutral colors, keeping in mind that potential buyers may not share your taste.

4. Refinish Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are a great selling feature. They’re highly sought after by buyers. But if you’re not showcasing your hardwoods at their best, you might be turning away potential buyers.

Over time, hardwoods begin to show wear and tear. Refinishing them is a great way to revive the entire room. As a do-it-yourself project, expect to spend $1 to $3 per square foot. A professional might charge about $5 per square foot. Either way, it’s a quick and affordable project.

5. Hire a Professional Decorator

Your home is a reflection of your personal style. But potential buyers might not share your taste. Believe it or not, some buyers will overlook a home because they can’t picture it designed to match their style.

Most professional decorators offer staging services for a reasonable fee. They’ll offer advice on how to neutralize and de-clutter your home to appeal to a wide range of buyers. They might also be able to loan you more neutral furniture and accessories.

If you can’t afford to hire a professional decorator, do some research and try to do the staging on your own. You can start by removing family photos and other personal items. Or, ask your real estate agent for staging advice.

Karen Lawes is owner of WinterisHere.com, a site dedicated to helping with winter home improvement projects including roof snow removal and furnace repair.

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Energy Bills Through the Roof? 7 Projects That Will Help You Cut Costs

by Karen Lawes on December 8

We’re all familiar with the quick and easy ways to cut down on energy costs. Dial back the thermostat you’re not home. Unplug your computer when it’s not in use. And for the last time, turn off the lights when you leave a room!

These are great strategies, but they might not be enough. Below are seven home improvement projects that will permanently make a dent in your energy bills. Some are simple and cheap; others require a commitment of time and money. It’s up to you how far you want to go.

Install a storm door

If your existing door is old but in relatively good condition, consider adding a storm door to prevent heat loss. Many metal-framed storm doors have foam insulation built right into the frame. If your door is relatively new, however, adding a storm door won’t save you much in energy costs. [click to continue…]

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How to Save 125 Gallons of Water a Day or More!

by Karen Lawes on November 24

Leaky Faucet

There are many water-saving appliances that you can purchase and install in your home to automatically start saving on your water bill and conserve water, however you can start saving on water today, without spending a dime. Saving conservation will start to come naturally to your household members when everyone is aware of its importance and are taught just few of these simple techniques.

Never leave your water running while brushing your teeth. Simply fill a glass with water and use that water to rinse your brush in. This conserves about 7 gallons of water a day.

Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when it is as full as possible. If you must wash a smaller load of laundry, be very careful to adjust the water level settings. Running the dishwasher just once a day instead of two times will save 15 gallons of water per day. Same goes for the washing machine except you will save 20 gallons or more water per day. [click to continue…]

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Project of the Week: Do I Need to Replace My Windows?

by Karen Lawes on November 10

So your windows are rotting, leaking and creating a draft. Time to replace them, right? Well, not necessarily.

There are lots of good reasons to replace your windows. But there are plenty of bad ones, too. Many homeowners rush into expensive window replacement without considering all of their options.

In many cases, old and drafty windows can be repaired or restored. You can hire a contractor to replace certain components of the window and add energy efficient features. Or, you can add storm windows to provide an extra layer of protection from the elements.

How Do I Know If My Windows Are Energy Efficient?

Inefficient windows are one of biggest contributors to high energy bills. If you answer yes to two or more of the following questions, chances are your windows are not energy efficient:

  • Are the windows more than 20 years old?
  • Are the wood frames rotting or peeling?
  • Do the windows consist of a single pane, as opposed to a double or triple pane?
  • Are the window frames warped?
  • Do condensation and frost collect on your windows?
  • Are the windows difficult to open?

Repair or Replace?

There’s no one-fits-all answer to this common question. The right choice for your home depends on the condition of the windows and what you’re looking to accomplish.

In general, it’s time for a replacement if the windows themselves are falling apart. If the sash is breaking, for example, it may be more expensive to repair the windows than to replace them. If you’re unsure, seek estimates for both repair and replacement. Replacing all of the windows in a home usually costs $10,000 or more, so if repairs are going to cost just as much, you might want to go with the full replacement.

If you’re looking for an unbiased opinion, consider hiring an energy auditor to assess the pros and cons of window replacement and repair. Energy auditors don’t sell windows or offer restoration services, so they are likely to give you an honest assessment.

For many homeowners, however, the decision comes down to personal preference. If you own a historic home and want to preserve the old-world character and charm, restoration is probably a better choice. If you’re less interested in preserving a certain look and more concerned about having air-tight windows that are easy to clean, replacement might be a better choice.

The Benefits of Storm Windows

Installing storm windows is a solution that’s often overlooked. In many cases, pairing quality storm windows with your existing single-pane windows provides the same energy savings as new windows – just at a much lower price. To maximize efficiency, it’s also a good idea to make sure your old windows are properly weatherstripped.

If you can’t afford a full set of storm windows, consider have a plastic interior storm panel added to your existing windows. The panel won’t provide the same level of efficiency as a storm window, but you’ll see a big improvement.

CostOwl focuses on providing cost estimates for business and home improvement projects such as window replacement projects.

 

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Top 3 Dangerous Winter Home Improvement Projects & How to Stay Safe!

by Karen Lawes on October 27

With the holidays and winter quickly approaching, a lot of homeowners are preparing their homes for this season. This includes many things from making sure your heating system is working properly, to checking that your windows are properly sealed and insulated. Projects also come up in the middle of the winter such as clearing snow from your roof. While most home improvement projects are quite safe, there are a few that can be dangerous without proper knowledge, skills and tools. Here is a review of the most dangerous winter home improvement projects.

Gas Furnace Repairs
Because gas is the most efficient type of furnace, many of us choose to use a gas furnace to heat our home. While it’s great to save money on heat, a gas furnace does come with its drawbacks. The biggest being that gas can leak and cause very dangerous conditions for your family. Do not try to repair your furnace on your own. You can very easily cause a leak. If you smell gas coming from your furnace, do not hesitate to evacuate your home and immediately call the gas company. Always hire a professional to maintain your furnace.

Gas furnaces can also emit Carbon Monoxide. This type of leak is even more dangerous as it is odorless. It’s very important to have a Carbon Monoxide detector in your home. You should have your furnace checked by a professional yearly for leaks. [click to continue…]

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Quick and Easy Beautiful Outdoor Holiday Decorations

by Karen Lawes on October 13

Winter will soon be here and with it, the holiday season. It’s time to pull out those same old holiday decorations and lights. Making the outside of your home festive is easy when you hire a Christmas light installation company, but what if you don’t want to go overboard? Just a few simple touches outside will show off your holiday spirit, but won’t break the bank. Here are some simple decorating ideas that you can do yourself.

Use Your Window Boxes

Most people use their window boxes in the spring and summer only, but there are plenty of hardy plants out there that will survive the winter months. Don’t leave them empty and unsightly. Plant some Ornamental Cabbage and Evergreen Holly branches. Add some pinecones and berries as well as a few white Christmas lights and ornaments for color and you have quickly turned your empty window boxes into a nice holiday display. Solar powered lights work best outdoors.

willowdecor.blogspot.com

You don’t have to use plants in your window boxes. Stop by your local dollar store and pick up some holiday figurines. Arrange them in your boxes with some lights and create a nice scene in your window. You could also hang holiday stockings from the bottom of the boxes.

Another easy idea is to fill your window boxes with “fake” gifts. Wrap different sized boxes with colorful holiday paper. You may want to double or triple wrap them so that they hold up in the winter weather. Add some bows and string and you’re done! Or simply wrap the entire window box. Finish it with a large red bow.

Utilize Your Bird Bath

Bird baths usually stay empty throughout the winter months. Might as well dress them up! Try cutting up some citrus fruit and berries and placing in the bird bath. Next, fill it with water. Make sure that you do this during the colder months when the water is sure to freeze and few animals are roaming. The frozen fruit looks very colorful next to snow.

Place a string of white lights inside glass a cloche and display it on your bird bath. Put some pine cones and berries around it. Makes a great entryway display!

Another display idea is to place glowing spheres in your birdbath. Finish it off with a few ornaments and a sprig or two of greenery.

Borrow Your Kid’s Toys

Check the shed or garage for one of your children’s old bicycles. Lean it against a fence or prop it up next to your mailbox. Then add some holiday decorations. Wrap it with a string of colorful Christmas lights and hang a few ornaments. Or simply wrap it with garland and add a large bow.

Lean an old sled next to the front door. Drape a large wreath over it and it makes a welcoming holiday decoration.

Your children’s basketball hoop can make for a great outdoor holiday centerpiece. Tie the net together at the bottom and fill it with glowing spheres or large tree ornaments. Wrap the pole with lights or garland. You could even hang stockings from the hoop rim.

Karen Lawes is owner of WinterIsHere.com, a site dedicated to helping homeowners feel prepared during the winter months.

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Improve Your Man (or Woman) Cave with These Easy Accessories

by Karen Lawes on September 23

So you have a great space in your basement, garage or attic to hang out. You put the time and money into making it a fun area for your friends and family to gather in. It has all the standard things a man cave needs – big screen TV, couch, surround sound and maybe a mini fridge. But everyone has those things in their man cave. How can you make your space stand out? Here are a few easy updates!

Dry-Erase Paint - IdeaPaint.com

Paint the walls with Idea Paint. With just one coat this product turns your walls into a dry-erase surface. Now you can safely tag your walls with whatever you’d like. It also makes a fun way to play games such as Pictionary with your friends. [click to continue…]

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