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Home Improvement

2011-03-01 11:31:00

Marv’s 3 to 1 & more home value tips - series (previous articles in this series, refer to Dec. ‘10, Jan. ‘11 and Feb. ‘11 issues)

Answer: That’s a great question and a great strategy. There’s more than one way for home values to go up and you’re on the right track. So often it takes so little to make a big difference in home value. Over the next several issues, I will give you a few tips. Some of these…for every dollar you spend…you can increase your home value by as much as $3 to $10 or more. Spend $1,000 and get your home value to go up by $3,000 to $10,000 or more. This will outperform most any market condition you can find. This month…a few hold over items from last month’s article on your front door… The average American knows that a great looking home on the outside is one that is well kept. What they don’t know is how to present their home when one enters it. You would be surprised at how more open your home would present itself when visitors drop by for a visit. Would you like to know how to spruce up the look on your foyer? Then let us take stock of what you may have. How does your door look? Is the paint peeling or dull? Is it stained and looking like that gray twig out in the yard? The door may be the first item to go or be refinished. A painted door basically just needs repainting. Therefore, a good sanding would need to be done first before painting so the new paint will go on well. How does the color of it look? Are you tired of the color? If your house is a traditional color such as white, light blue or pale yellow then a red or red-orange door would brighten it up and attract much attention. This also helps in selling the home. Try using a color opposite of the color of your house on a color wheel. If your house is white, paint the door black or gray. Have a blue house? Try an orange or mauve colored door. These are just suggestions, and you just may stun yourself with a color you finally choose. Do you have a dilapidated screen door? Replace it immediately. There are a vast variety of them out there to choose from. Not all, but most homes have the handle on the left side of the door. Make note of that when you get one otherwise you will be returning it. I like the simple glass door with the metal frame. You can paint them any color with paint made just for metal if you don’t like the color. Some people like to add a window off to the side of their door. I like them, but it can be a security issue for your home. Your foyer may be wide enough to have one on both sides of your front door. This would be a fun way to spend a Saturday. For less than $200 you might be able to do it yourself. Plan it out well, and save you the labor cost of someone else doing it for you. There are French pane styles, stained glass, and many others. You may like the etched glass style. A single drape on the inside will add to the beauty. Next month, we will move just a bit further inside of your home and talk about the entry way.