Posts with tag 'Home Improvement'

Home improvement projects can make your home more attractive and livable while also increasing its value when you're ready to sell. 

Our real estate agents have helped many families sell their homes in the Livingston County area and know the value of a good home improvement project. The following home improvement projects can increase your home's value and increase your chances of appealing to buyers in a tough market. 

1. Deck addition 
   Adding a deck to the exterior of your home increases your outdoor living space, which has become an increasingly popular home attribute. The right size depends on the size of your house and yard, and you can add as many or as few bells and whistles as you like. The price tag for a new deck can vary widely, with extras like built-in seating and multiple stairs raising the cost.
   
   

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Whether you're planning a brand-new garden or want to enhance what you've already got, using native plants used to Michigan's diverse climate can make maintenance more comfortable and save you time and money. Our REALTORS® love it when homeowners take great care of their yards with beautiful landscaping and colorful gardens. There's no doubt that curb appeal adds value to your home, and getting your hands dirty is good for the mind, body, and soul. These seven plants will make your garden an inviting, colorful oasis to enjoy for years to come.

1. Black Gum Tree (Nyssa sylvatica)
   This slow-growing tree can reach 30 to 40 feet tall, and provides gorgeous, vivid fall foliage in shades of yellow, orange, and crimson. Its dark bark and distinctive branching pattern also provide some visual interest in the winter. Squirrels and birds love its tiny, tasty fruit, and the black gum tree easily tolerates wet, clay soils and salt.
2. Common Ninebark (Physocarpos opulifolius)
   This hardy shrub grows 6 to 9 feet tall and can thrive in even the harshest conditions. Super easy to maintain, it grows in shade or sun and many different types of soil conditions. You'll enjoy pink and white flowers in the spring and summer, with red fruit birds love to eat in autumn.

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It's time to sell your home! How do you best showcase the space your unfinished basement has to offer? 

Sorting out your basement and giving it a facelift seems overwhelming. Your goal as a seller is to show buyers how a space could be used. Our REALTORS® can help you freshen up your basement, claim back more square footage, and charm buyers with its many uses. Here are five ways to better use your basement space to appeal to buyers.

1. Add or Brighten Up a Play Space
   What better way to divvy up your basement's square footage than to add an exciting, energetic play area or freshen up the one you have? Get this set up by doing the following. 
   
   • • Define the area with an interlocking foam mat.
     • Use brightly-colored organizers to use up vertical space and keep toys within reach.
     • Hang bold wall art to contrast off-white walls.
     • Add lounge chairs, arcade games, and a T.V. for preteens/teens.
       
       

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Don't wait until your home is on the market to get it in top-notch shape. Instead, ready your home for buyers before you even put it on the market. Get started on this list before adding your home to the inventory of Brighton homes for sale. 

1. Declutter Your Space
   Some homeowners want to wait until they're moving to get rid of unwanted items; instead, declutter every space in your room now so that your home appears clean and organized. Take decluttering a step further and pack away items that you seldom use (like holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, and old mementos)...

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Are you looking for some activities to get you through the long winter months? Winter is the perfect time to spruce up your home with improvements that add efficiency and value. Get started with this to-do list, including features most sought-after in Brighton homes for sale.

1. Prep the Yard
   A well-maintained yard draws more attention from buyers, but healthy greenery doesn't just magically appear in the spring. Put down a layer of fertilizer on grass, trees, and shrubs to keep them nourished during the winter until warm temperatures return.
   
   
2. Retrofit Fireplace Doors
   A crackling fire looks beautiful, but an open fireplace is a heat drain. Folding glass doors keep heat from escaping up the chimney when the fireplace is not in use while adding a clean, contemporary look.
   
   
3. Add "Smart" Technology
   High-tech innovations make it easier than ever to manage your home cost-effectively. Programmable thermostats can cut energy costs by approximately $180 a year per Energy Star, while smart water meters help conserve water usage and detect problems.

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