There are a myriad of reasons to rejuvenate your home, most of which will come back to you two-fold in terms of comfort or return for your money. For homeowners who are on the fence, consider the top 5 reasons to remodel your home this year.
1. Going Green
The Earth is not getting any younger, and neither is your home. Forging a mutually beneficial relationship between the two can lower utility expenses, increase your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. Consider replacing old light bulbs with LED bulbs which use less than half the energy of traditional bulbs, and can last up to 10 times longer. Toilets now come in low flow options which can conserve 60% of water versus traditional models. Appliances now come in energy saving options too, so you can clean up your bottom line and upgrade your gadgets while taking care of the planet.
2. Good Health
Perhaps you may want to remodel your home for more selfish reasons. In due time, carpets, mattresses, shower curtains and other household materials pick up allergens, mold, and other irritants. For people with compromised health or immune systems, remodeling your home is as much about necessity as it is a luxury. Freshen up with new paint or window dressings for smaller budgets, or invest in a whole house humidifier with larger allowances. Whatever the bottom line, no expense should be spared when remodeling for health reasons. Though these are great reasons to put a new face on your existing home, remodels need not have an altruistic spin. Consider the benefits of a good, old-fashioned overhaul.
3. Aesthetic Upgrade
Let’s face it, trends turn and fads fade. Avocado is no longer a good look unless it’s on top of your salad. Shag carpeting, lava lamps, and a host of other trends have fallen out of fashion and while they may make a comeback one day, holding on until then will leave your house feeling stale and dated. A remodel will fresh up any space, but as most people can’t invest in a complete home overhaul, consider focusing on one or two rooms. Historically, kitchens and bathrooms will show the best return on your investment, and the fixture and finish options available to homeowners are seemingly endless. Whether making subtle or grand changes, a remodel is a chance to start over for designing a room or space and there is no better time to consider this than when you are trying to appeal to the masses.
4. Resale Value
On average a homeowner can expect over 90% return on a minor kitchen remodel. For a homeowner in a seller’s market, this may seem unnecessary, but you do not have to be an economist to realize that fluctuations mean one day soon it will again be a buyer’s market. One of the top reasons to remodel would be to increase your home’s marketability and value through home updates that are proven to payoff. As mentioned, kitchen remodels are a safe bet, as are a fresh coat of paint, landscaping, and basement remodels. If the driving motivation behind your renovation is resale, consider making changes in one of these areas to balance the risk versus return on your investment. If you are putting your home on the market and there are some areas in need of repair, consider this an opportunity.
5. Repairs
Sometimes it’s easier to embark on a new project than it is to face problem spots in your home. It does little good to install a shiny new sink faucet when the powder room floor is rotted through. Major repairs are one of the top reasons to remodel; it affords an opportunity to upgrade the finishes or fixtures while securing the damaged area. Use needed repairs as a jumping off point to give birth to home improvements and remodel designs that suit the space.
As if any proud homeowner needs a reason to remodel, there are several worth considering. Perhaps you want to make your home more comfortable or more enjoyable for your family for years to come, or it may be that you need to address these things to pique the interest of a buyer. Whatever your reason, remember to find joy and inspiration in the process and do not hesitate to seek out friends, peers or professionals who can help out along the way.