10 ways to add value to your home no matter your budget…

Are you looking for ways to add value to your home but you’re not sure where to start or if you even have the budget? There are plenty of ways to enhance your home’s beauty and value no matter your budget…

Unsurprisingly, premium quality vinyl windows and doors are a cost-effective solution to help with many of these home upgrades! Call today to learn how replacement window and doors can help you increase the beauty and energy efficiency and add value to your home. Don’t forget to ask about financing options to help you with your home improvement project.

If your job requires an expert be sure to check review sites like Angie’s List and Yelp to ensure you are hiring the best person for the job

– Paul, Metropolitan

Price Range: Under $100

Cut energy costs by requesting a free energy audit of your home.
The amount of money you spend each month on energy costs may seem like a fixed amount, but many local utility companies provide free energy audits of their customers’ homes. They can show you how to maximize the energy efficiency of your home. An energy-efficient home will save you money now, which can be applied to other updates, and is a more valuable and marketable asset in the long run.

Price Range: $100-$200

Add low-maintenance landscaping that will save you money now and add value when you sell.
No question that shrubs and colorful plants will add curb appeal to any home, but when shopping at your local garden center, make sure that you “think green.” Purchase plants that are native to your region or plants that are drought-tolerant; these require less water and maintenance, which means more savings to you and more green in your wallet.

energy efficient upgrades Drought-tolerant plants are an excellent way to spruce up your landscaping and save money on upkeep.

Price Range: $200-$400

Visually increase your home’s square footage. (HINT! Quality vinyl windows are an excellent and cost-effective way to make your home feel larger!)
The size of your home dramatically affects the value, but square footage isn’t the only space that counts. Visual space or how large a home feels also counts. The key is to make each room in your house feel larger. Replace heavy closed draperies with vertical blinds or shutters to let light in — a sunny room feels larger and more open. Also, try adding a single large mirror to a room to visually double the space. Finally, clear the clutter. The more clutter, furniture and plain old stuff you have in a room, the more cramped it will feel. For less than $400, add an attractive shelving unit to an underused space and store your clutter out of sight.

Price Range: $400-$750

Get help with getting organized by hiring a professional organizer for a day.
Hire a professional organizer for a day. They will show you how to organize various rooms in your home and teach you tricks for keeping it organized. How does this add value to your home? Simple — a clutter-free home appears cleaner and larger, which is more attractive to home-buyers and therefore more valuable.

diy home improvement Having an organized home saves you time and money and brings in money at the time of a sale.

Price Range: $750-$1,000

Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. (HINT! Quality vinyl windows will increase your home’s energy-efficiency!)
Eighty-six the old-school appliances for sleek new energy-efficient ones. An appliance with an Energy Star label has been certified by the government to use 10-50 percent less energy and water than conventional appliances. Matching stainless appliances will not only look great now, but will make your home shine brighter than the competition should you decide to sell.

energy efficient upgrades Installing new appliances is a guaranteed way of increasing the value of your home.

Price Range: $1,000-$1,500

Update your home’s entrance with a door that complements your home’s overall design.
The look of your front door and entrance play heavily into the overall curb appeal of your home. As visitors enter, the front door serves as the transition into your home and is part of their first impression. Entry doors are architectural components that should complement your home’s overall design, not detract from it. If your existing front door isn’t up to par, head down to your local home improvement store for a more energy-efficient and attractive replacement. Whether you choose a solid wood door or one with decorative stained or cut glass panels, a welcoming entrance will definitely increase your home’s bottom line.

energy efficient doors An upgrade to the entrance of your home will leave a lasting impression with potential buyers.

Price Range: $1,500-$2,000

Save on air conditioning costs. (HINT! Quality windows will help you save on air conditioning costs!)
Consider installing a whole-house fan. They’re a great alternative to air conditioning because they use only one-tenth the electricity of air conditioners, saving you money. Whole-house fans are considered a “green” home improvement, which will add value to your home and is a popular selling feature with today’s home-buyers. As the cost of electricity continues to skyrocket, green energy alternatives will only gain in popularity.

Price Range: $2,000-$3,000

Bring the outdoors in by turning two standard windows into an opening for beautiful French doors or sliding patio doors.
Consider turning two standard windows into an opening for beautiful French or sliding patio doors. Full-view glass doors really brighten up the space and a light and airy room is always more attractive. Also, with a view of the outdoors, the room will feel much larger. Another bonus is that modern doors are energy-efficient, cutting down on heating and cooling costs. That means more cash in your pocket now and a financial bonus should you decide to sell.

energy efficient windows Full-view vinyl patio doors really brighten up the space and a light and airy room is always more attractive.

Price Range: $3,000-$5,000

Green flooring choices equal more green in your wallet.
Worn, tired carpet will not only turn off home-buyers, but it can make you feel worn and tired too. Replace it with the hottest trend in flooring: renewable, environmentally friendly bamboo. Solid-surface floors are easy to keep clean and give your home an upscale look and feel. Green flooring choices, like bamboo, minimally impact the environment and are a big selling point to today’s environmentally conscious home-buyers.

eco friendly upgrades You will get extra points and add value to your home by installing Eco-friendly flooring.

Price Range: $5,000 and up

Kitchen remodels are king.
Hands down, one of the biggest returns on investment comes from a kitchen remodel. Most experts agree that if you plan on updating only one room in your home, it should be the kitchen. Large, open kitchens have become the social hub of the modern home. High-end touches like granite countertops, richly stained custom cabinets and energy-efficient stainless appliances are the gold standard in modern kitchens. Experts agree that kitchen remodels return an average of 80 to 85 percent of every dollar spent. You can expect an even higher return if you are remodeling a really outdated kitchen.

energy efficient upgrades High-end touches like granite countertops, richly stained custom cabinets and energy-efficient stainless appliances are the gold standard in modern kitchens.