They say that Home is not a place… It’s a feeling. How are you feeling about your home? Is it time for a change, an upgrade or enhancement? Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, it’s always important to keep in mind ways that you can add value.
Whether it be a large add on or small design change, this month we look at a variety of ways to improve your home. With flooring, renewables, windows and shutters and interior decor our experts have a number of ways to help your home be it’s best!
“Diamond in the Rough”
As an island with a rich history, it also comes with a great deal of older buildings and houses. We love these historic and stately homes, but when it comes to looking for value in a house many of these gems are overlooked.
Some of the lucky few can spot a “diamond in the rough” – the current state of an older home may be a turn off, but the possibilities may be priceless. There are a number of reasons to choose an older historic home and a lot of ways to add more value to the older home you already have.
With a few do-it-yourself projects, and potentially hiringing a general contractor, you can turn any older home into a labor of love that will bring countless advantages and enjoyment for you and future generations to enjoy.
Refresh Your Hardware
An easy way to add value to your older home is to refresh and maintain your doors, windows, and hardware. They’ve been in the air, water and sun for many years so make sure paint isn’t flaking, the wood isn’t warping, and all your hardware is polished. If the hardware is outdated or beyond repair think about replacing it. It will give you a fresh new look to your unique older home.
Embrace the Uniqueness
A lot of newer homes tend to be part of large developments, so they may look the same. Older homes are often more unique. They come with unique design flairs you might not see so readily today. If you want the design of your place to be yours and yours alone, there’s usually no better way to go. Consider this when thinking of buying an older home. Qualities like custom woodworking, built-ins, handcrafted exterior details, etc… may not be able to be duplicated in a new build. Make sure you enhance and show them off if you are selling an older home.
Improve the Air Quality
Air quality isn’t just about the conditions outdoors. If you have older carpets in your home, they might be hiding contaminants and allergens. If your carpets need to be replaced, choose environmentally friendly, natural products like tile or laminate floors. Hard-surface floors are much easier to keep clean, don’t hold odors, give your home an updated look and, in general, are more appealing to buyers.
Go For the Long-term Investment
Old houses are in limited supply. As some decay or are torn down, supply decreases even more. Yet, demand remains. When looking at an old house, take time to talk to people in the area with similar properties to see how much their homes have increased in value over the past decade.
The best part about owning or buying an older home is that you know what you’re getting. A newer hasn’t had the trials and tests over the years to prove it’s worth and doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Revel in the history and love your older home and make sure to take the time to care for it. If you put in some time and effort you may find some extra value in the home you already love.
