Articles Tagged "Home Improvement Projects"

Energy costs can put a significant dent in your monthly budget, but by making a few upgrades, you can make your home much more energy-efficient. This not only helps reduce your energy bill but also makes your home more comfortable. At the same time, you'll make your home more appealing to prospective buyers, most of whom put a high priority on energy-efficient features.

Our real estate agents suggest making the following energy-efficient upgrades to your home:

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Painting with a new hue is one of the easiest makeovers you can give your home that will have a huge impact on its appearance. Whether you're staying in your current home for a while or are looking to sell and want to appeal to potential buyers, paint has the power to transform any room. Choosing the right color, however, can be daunting. Don't be afraid to experiment by starting with a wall and seeing the transformative effect color can have in your home. Chances are good that you'll love it and will want to keep going, but if not, you can always choose a new shade.

Our real estate agents share some of this year's popular colors to consider for your home:

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While it's less of a red hot market for sellers than it was a few months ago, you can still figure on getting a good price when listing your home among Sioux Falls homes for sale. One way to ensure a better price for your home is to do a few strategic renovations. And when we say strategic, we mean don't break the bank. It's important to choose renovations prudently, focusing on sprucing up and updating the home, so it has a modern look rather than tearing out walls and other major projects.

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Getting a new look for your living room doesn't have to involve buying new furniture and other items. Rearrange what you have to improve the room's appearance, traffic flow, and comfort. As an added plus, you can rearrange your living room in different ways to see which you like best.

Our real estate agents share the following tips for rearranging your living room:

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Even homeowners committed to an organic lifestyle may balk at the challenges of creating an organic lawn. The good news for you, now settling in the house you chose from Sioux Falls homes for sale, is that going organic with your lawn has become more doable in recent years. Knowledge of organic practices is spreading, and you can now find organic or native grasses that will prosper without synthetic chemicals.

Our real estate agents have some advice for those homeowners aiming for a nice-looking lawn but doing it without earth-damaging chemicals. Here are some tips for breaking your lawn's addiction to synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.

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As spring has officially arrived and temperatures are starting to warm up, it's time to start preparing your Sioux Falls garden. By taking care of these tasks now, you'll be setting your garden up for success and spreading the work out so it's more manageable.

Our real estate agents suggest these pointers to start your gardening prep now:

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Whether you're planning on staying in your home for a while or are ready to sell, projects that increase their value can pay off in several different ways. They can add to your enjoyment of it now and help you sell your home more quickly — and for a higher price — in the future.

Our real estate agents share the following ways to boost your home's value:

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Few home improvements can have as big an impact as you'll get from new flooring. Whether you're having the flooring in one room or your entire house redone, the project can transform the space, making it look fresher and tied together.

If you're looking at new flooring, our real estate agents share what you need to know:

Types of flooring

To decide what type of flooring you'd like, consider its appearance, durability, and cost. The following are some of the most popular types of flooring:

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Color plays a vital role in decorating since it can transform a space. Some create a calming, comforting atmosphere, while others help a space seem more lively. Color can also be used to tie spaces or elements together. Every year, Colors of the Year are announced by paint companies and color experts, and you can expect to see them used in the latest home decor trends. They're a great way to freshen up your home decor, and the companies who name the colors provide suggestions on ways to best utilize them in your home.

The following are some of the Colors of the Year for 2022 that our real estate agents expect to see utilized in home decor:

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When you think of your mantle during winter, stockings and other holiday decor probably comes to mind. If you have a holiday nutcracker collection you're waiting to unbox, consider putting them on a table or counter instead and taking your mantle in a different direction. Decorating this area for winter rather than a specific holiday can give it a stylish, fresh look that you won't have to change when the holidays are over.
  
Our real estate agents pass along the following best mantle decorating tips for winter:

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November is here, and that means the holidays are just around the corner. If you're settling into the home you chose from Sioux Falls homes for sale, you're probably prepping to show friends and family you're new home. Spending time with loved ones over home-cooked meals is certainly rewarding, but it also means you may not have the same free time you had earlier in the year. Before inviting guests over this holiday season, our real estate agents recommend you finish these projects.

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Whether you're designing a living room in your new home or are replacing and rearranging items in your existing living room, it's easy to make some common mistakes that negatively affect its appearance and function. Real estate agents and designers tend to see the same problems with living rooms in home after home, but once you realize what these issues are, it's easy to avoid them. Our real estate agents point out the following mistakes to avoid when you're rearranging or redesigning your living room:

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Now that we're closing out summer and fall is approaching fast, it's not too early to wrap up home improvement projects and start preparing our homes for the cold weather that lies ahead. Our real estate agents often recommend checking this work off your list in September and early October because temperatures are still warm. If you're a first-time homeowner, remembering to take care of everything can be a challenge, which is why we put together this list of projects you should try to tackle soon!

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Many gardeners love to attract hummingbirds to their gardens, and it's easy to see why. These tiny, colorful creatures are fun to watch as they rapidly flap their wings and dart around before taking a drink of nectar from a flower. They can also hover, which gives you the chance to hear the distinct sound of their wings as you get a good look at these amazing birds.

If you'd like to see hummingbirds in your garden, design it to attract them to your yard while meeting their needs. Our real estate agents share the following tips to help make your garden hummingbird-friendly:

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Window sills are usually thought of as wasted space and ignored when it comes to freshening up your home. But with a little time, effort, and creativity, you can transform them into useful areas that add beauty to any room in your home. Our real estate agents suggest the following ways to make the most of your window sills:

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Minimalist home decor, which is very popular at the moment, is all about simplicity and restraint. You might think that this translates into a boring home, but minimalism is anything but. It's bold yet soothing, and its well-chosen elements make a large impact. Our real estate agents suggest the following tips for creating a minimalist home design:

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Springtime is the right time to upgrade the exterior of your home, so it looks as good as Sioux Falls homes for sale. And now, whether you just want to dress things up or you're aiming to boost your curb appeal as you get ready to list your home for sale, you'll find the exterior projects listed below will do the trick without breaking the bank.

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Have cleaning projects been stacking up on your to-do list? Whether you've just bought a new home, are selling your current home, or simply want to bring out the best in your property, spring is the perfect time to invest some elbow grease into cleaning projects around the house. With the right tips, tricks, and cleaning ideas, you can have your home looking better than ever in record time. Our real estate agents have the details on 6 cleaning projects that you can tackle to celebrate the start of spring.

• Refresh Your Most Frequently Used Appliances
  Take some time this spring to refresh your dishwasher, oven, and washing machine. Clear out any stuck-on food inside of your dishwasher, then run a cycle with a cleaning solution. Run your oven on the cleaning setting, then clear out any remaining debris built up since your last cleaning. For the washing machine, you can use distilled white vinegar to clean and disinfect, or pick up a cleaning solution from your favorite grocery store.

• Bring Out the Best in Your Patio Furniture
  Keeping your outdoor areas looking great is key to standing out from other Sioux Falls homes for sale, and clean, sparkling patio furniture can add to the look of any home. Start by scrubbing your outdoor furniture with a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Once you've given each piece of furniture a good scrub, spray it down with a hose and start enjoying patio furniture that looks like new.

• Clean Your Windows Both Inside and Outside
  While it's easy to keep up with cleaning the indoor side of your windows during the winter, the outdoor side may need a good cleaning after the cold weather months. You can use the same solutions on the outdoor side as you would indoors, so the key is simply picking a nice spring day to tackle the outdoor side of those windows.

• Organize Closets and Clear Clutter
  Has clutter been building up in your closets during the winter? Spring presents a great opportunity to clear clutter, organize your closets, and lighten your load. You can pick up closet organizers at your favorite home goods store, or install some shelving to make more efficient use of space. While you're organizing, take the opportunity to get rid of unneeded clutter by donating or selling.

• Get Your Yard Ready for Spring
  Curb appeal is a must when selling your home, and it will help you enjoy your outdoor spaces more even if you're not putting your home on the market. The start of spring is a good time to prune many types of plants, pull weeds from your garden, and plant some fresh flowers for the new season. If your driveway or patio have seen better days, renting a power washer for the day can get them looking like new.

• Show Some Love to Your Wood Floors
  Cleaning wood floors is crucial to helping them look their best, but it's easy to cause damage if you don't use the right cleaning products. The good news is that there are plenty of cleaning solutions designed to clean wood floors without causing damage. Learn what type of wood your floor is made of, pick up the right cleaning solution for your floor, and invest some elbow grease to get those floors shining.

Still searching for a home that you'll love to call your own? Our team is here to help. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Sioux Falls, SD area.

Can you ever really have enough storage space in your home? In many homes, the attic is a rarely visited space with limited utility, but turning your attic into a useful storage space is easier than you might think. Most attics will need some work to become ideal storage, and with spring around the corner now is the perfect time to get started. Our real estate agents are here to provide some inspiration, with home improvement tips to help you optimize your attic for storage.

1. Check Your Attic Ventilation
   Proper ventilation is crucial for safe storage of your items because it helps prevent too much heat and humidity from building up in your attic. Even if you haven't used it for storage in the past, your attic is likely already equipped with vents to help keep air circulating. Make sure that those vents are in good working order before you start storing items. If you need extra ventilation, an attic fan with an automatic shutoff sensor can be a big help.
2. Make Sure Your Attic Is Properly Insulated
   While ventilation helps somewhat with temperature, your attic will need also to be properly insulated if you plan on storing any temperature-sensitive items. Your attic likely already has insulation between the floor joists, but may require insulation in the ceiling area as well. An insulated attic is more likely to have moisture buildup, which is another good reason to make sure your attic is properly ventilated.
3. Check for Roof Leaks and Fix Any Issues
   Roof leaks are bad news in any attic, and that's doubly true when you're planning to use your attic for storage. Before you get serious about storing items, check for signs of leaks. The most common signs include discoloration of the ceiling beneath the attic, rot around vents or other openings, and water damage around the chimney. If you find signs of leaks, call your favorite contractor to investigate and address any issues.
4. Add Flooring for Safety and Storage
   Most attics don't have flooring installed, which means the insulation and ceiling joists will be exposed. Naturally, you'll want a safe, sturdy floor if you're using your attic for storage. Since ceiling joists aren't always rated for weight-bearing, you may need to have them reinforced before flooring is installed. It's best to call the pros for this step to make sure new flooring is safe.
5. Install Fold-Down Stairs or a Permanent Staircase
   If your attic is only accessible through a hatch in the ceiling, you'll want to provide easier access before you start storing items. A fold-down staircase is a great choice if you want to save space while still providing easy access, and a permanent staircase makes it even easier to move items into your attic if you have the space to spare.
6. Clear Out Clutter While Deciding What to Store
   Clearing out clutter is one of our first pieces of advice when a seller is prepping their home to compete with other Sioux Falls homes for sale, and it's also a great idea when planning to use your attic for storage. Since you'll be moving items around anyway, this is the perfect time to lighten your load. You can donate, sell, or get rid of items you don't need, then start storing everything you plan to keep in your newly optimized attic.

Searching for a home with plenty of storage space in the attic and beyond? Our team is here to help. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Sioux Falls, SD area.

Winter is here, and it's time to check your DIY list twice. While winter feels like the perfect time to curl up on the sofa with a thrilling novel or heartwarming movie, there are a few things you need to do to prepare your home for the extreme temperatures.

Not only will these tasks keep your property protected from the chilly winter weather, but they'll help your home look its best with the other Sioux Falls homes for sale. Even if you don't plan to put your home on the market, you'll know that you've kept up with your home maintenance, just in case. Here is your ultimate winter to-do list.

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If you're preparing your home to list with other Sioux Falls homes for sale, completing a few repairs and DIY projects can increase your home's appeal. Don't feel as if you need to invest a small fortune in tools; instead, focus on adding versatile pieces to your collection that you can use for various home improvement plans. Here are some tools homeowners should have on hand for all their DIY projects. 

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Even though fall is in full swing, winter weather is right around the corner. Our REALTORS® know that fall is the ideal time to prepare your yard and landscaping for winter's harsh temperatures. Prepare your yard for winter with this convenient guide. 

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If you have a bedroom that sits vacant most of the time, you've got a canvas full of potential. Stop wasting that spare room, using it for storage, or filling it with junk. There are so many creative ways to design it and give it novel practicality. Our real estate agents recommend the following ways to jazz up that extra space and transform into a pleasant spot for your favorite activities.

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If your plant has outgrown its current growing spot or if the growing site doesn't provide proper conditions for the plant, transplanting is one option gardeners of all skill levels may consider. Transplanting is the process of moving a plant from one location to another, and depending on the plant, the process can be relatively easy. One obstacle though is the summer heat! 

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There is a lot to be said about doing work around the house. The sense of pride and accomplishment that you feel from a job well-done is worth its weight in gold. While there are plenty of tasks you can do on your own, there are specific jobs that you should leave to the professionals. Our real estate agents have seen many of the following "do it yourself" jobs over the years that detract from the home's value. Here are the projects you should call a professional to help you with. 

1. Electrical Work
   Unless you are a certified electrician or electrical engineer, there is never a good reason to try and save money by doing electrical work around the house. Not only is it hazardous to your health, but a damaged wire or a bad connection can also create a fire hazard that can cause all of your hard work to go up in smoke.
2. Plumbing Jobs
   Again, unless you are a professional plumber, playing with the pipes in your home is not something you should ever attempt to do. Plumbers receive specialized training. They know how to identify the multitude of pipes and connections behind the wall and under the floors. Making a mistake with the plumbing systems can result in pipe bursts, frozen pipes, and flooding that can damage walls, carpets, and your possessions.

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Want a quick and easy way to add value to Sioux Falls homes for sale? Experts at HGTV say 75 to 80 cents of each dollar spent on home improvement projects goes back in the form of increased value. Invest time into your home with these five home improvement projects you can complete in a weekend.

1. Create a Mudroom
   Mudrooms were once found in farms and rural homes as a way of preventing dirt from being tracked throughout the house, but now they've become a trendy and practical amenity in any style. Building a formal mudroom can run upwards of $12,000, but according to HuffPost, adding organization and storage is the main point. Use cubbies and hooks to maximize vertical space. A bench is a good multi-purpose item that provides seating along with storage underneath. Paint can create a clear delineation to the mudroom. If you can't spare any space around an entryway, considering using the laundry room or repurposing a closet.
   
   

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Are you thinking about taking on a kitchen remodel? While this can be an excellent investment, it's not without risk. Throughout their careers, our REALTORS® have seen plenty of gorgeous kitchen renovations. Unfortunately, they've also heard more than their fair share of horror stories. 

The good news is that you can avoid the most common remodeling problems by learning what not to do. The following are the top seven easily-avoidable remodeling mistakes. 

1. Trying to DIY
   While there's no harm in taking on small projects around the house, trying to DIY a major remodel is almost always a bad idea. Doing a kitchen remodel correctly requires a specific set of skills, and even a small mistake can create a big disaster. You may also need permits and inspections, so do yourself a favor and leave this project to the pros. 

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Moving to a new home is exciting, but there's no denying that most people don't enjoy the process of packing and transporting their things. Decluttering before a move helps you cut down on the number of boxes and overall moving stress. Our real estate agents also advise clients with Sioux Falls homes for sale to thin out their belongings before they put it on the market. After all, if you're making a fresh start in a new home, the less clutter, the better, right? Here are a few tips for clearing out clutter before a move.

1. Start early.
   Waiting until the last minute to go through your stuff adds stress to the moving process. Starting weeks or months before the move also allows you to break it up into more manageable chunks of time and makes it easier to decide what you're going to keep, donate, sell, or throw away.
2. Take it one step at a time.
   Going through something like a closet can make the decluttering process a lot less overwhelming. As you move from one room to another and keep getting rid of more and more stuff, you'll feel motivated to continue.

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A new year brings a chance for a fresh start, both for you and your house. Our REALTORS® have talked with a lot of homeowners about future home improvement goals, and one topic keeps coming up again and again: energy efficiency. 

There are countless reasons to work on improving the energy efficiency of your home, from saving the environment to saving money on your utility bills. Here are a few ways you can start saving in 2020.

1. Install new windows. If you own an older home, there's a good chance you have old, outdated windows that are leaking heat all winter long. According to Energy Star, replacing old windows with new, energy-efficient models can reduce your energy bill by 15%. It's a significant investment upfront, but it pays big over the long haul. 
   
   
2. Switch to more efficient light bulbs. Manufacturers stopped making 60- and 40-watt incandescent light bulbs way back in 2014, but a lot of homes still aren't using the most efficient bulbs available. Some of your best options are compact fluorescent lamps, also called CFLs, which cost around $4 each, and have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years. 
   
   
3. Move your fridge. You probably know that replacing an old refrigerator can help you keep your food colder using less electricity. But have you considered the location? If your fridge is in a spot where the sun hits it, it's probably working overtime to offset the heat generated by the sunlight. Look for a place where your fridge can stay in the shade. 
   
   
4. Install a storm door. Even if you already have relatively efficient doors on your house, adding storm doors can cut down on heat loss in wintertime. Most storm doors come with low-emissivity glass, which can help reduce heat loss by up to 50%. They typically last between 25 and 50 years and often cost less than $100.

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