Blessings Realty | Colorado Springs and Monument Realtor
Changing minds about Realtors
Your roof protects your family and your belongings from the elements, but it also adds to the curb appeal of your house. When you discover that your roof needs work, you may wonder if it should be replaced or repaired. Replacement is costly, so you may be on the lookout for more affordable options. Here are some ways you can improve your roof without replacing it.
If you have a home of your own, you already know how to think like a buyer. You know buyers look for a home that’s structurally sound, with modern amenities and conveniences that fit their lifestyle. If you look at your home through a buyer’s eyes, you can anticipate what will appeal to their tastes and fill their needs. This sometimes means updating certain areas of your home to ensure it stands out in the market. Here are several things you can do to make your home more valuable to buyers:
You may wish to resurface your kitchen cabinets in a lighter color to provide a brighter, more appealing look. New hardware on cabinets can also help to improve the general appearance of your kitchen. Simple home improvements, such as a new backsplash or faucet, can help to modernize your kitchen area without accumulating a great deal of construction expenses. Since kitchens see a lot of use, you may want to replace flooring to give the room a fresher look.
Bathrooms also see a great deal of use in homes. Moisture and humidity can cause floors, ceilings and fixtures to look old and unattractive. A fresh coat of paint, a new vanity and better lighting can give the room a more modern look. Consider new shelving for grooming items, towels and other frequently used items.
Check that your siding, gutters and roofing are all in good condition to put your property in the best possible light for potential buyers. Prune trees and shrubs for a well maintained appearance, paying close attention to your front entryway. A fresh color on the door, a flowerbed or a new railing can help to make your home look more inviting.
Buyers consider not only the cost of the property itself, but also how much it will cost to update appliances and critical home systems. If your HVAC is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a more efficient model that will help to save the new buyer money. Inspect your kitchen appliances for wear and tear; new appliances can reassure buyers that they won’t have to spend money on replacements in the near future.
If you think strategically about what will make your home most appealing to buyers, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and choose the improvements that create the greatest impact. Real estate experts find that these four features can make a home more desirable for prospective buyers and can garner a higher sale price and a faster closing.
Article source: http://blog.rismedia.com/2021/more-valuable-to-buyers/.
Spring brings warm weather, sunshine and an abundance of flowers, but it also brings about a few unique plumbing problems. While spring showers help your flowers and other plants to grow, rain can also cause plumbing issues. As the weather warms up, be on the lookout for these four springtime plumbing problems. Catching them early can save you a lot of headaches!
Cold winter temperatures can cause pipes to contract or freeze, which can cause tiny cracks. As the weather warms up, pipes begin to expand, causing any tiny cracks to also expand. Old pipes and outdoor plumbing are vulnerable to developing such cracks.
If you notice dripping pipes, standing water, a musty odor or a mysterious increase on your water bill, you could have leaky plumbing. Any leaking pipes must be fixed right away to prevent water damage and mold growth.
Poor water pressure can be caused by a plumbing leak somewhere in your home. These can be hard to find, so you may need to contact a plumber to find them and fix them. It could be somewhere inside, or it could be leaking from the outside pipes that lead into the house.
Spring rainstorms can also cause low water pressure. Because rainwater is heavy and drenches the soil, that weight can put stress on your underground pipes, causing leaks which can lead to low water pressure inside your home.
Just as spring rains can put pressure on your incoming outdoor pipes, the same is true for the pipes leading out towards the sewer. If heavy, rain-soaked soil puts too much pressure on an old or weak sewer pipe, it can result in backed-up sinks and toilets, as well as sewer water flooding your yard. The warmer weather also spurs plant growth, and tree roots can grow through a small crack in a drain line, causing a blockage. In either case, backed up pipes are a serious problem that need immediate attention from your local plumber.
Basement sump pumps typically don’t run during the winter, because it’s frozen outside in much of the country. However, once the weather warms up and spring rains flood your basement, you’ll need a working sump pump to clear water from this area. Early in the spring, have your sump pump checked to make sure it’s working properly. That way, you can easily avoid a flooded basement.
Spring is just around the corner and now is the time to make sure your plumbing survived the winter and will give you consistent support through the warmer months to come!
Article source: http://blog.rismedia.com/2021/april-showers-plumbing-issues/.
