4-updates-to-invest-in-(plus-4-to-skip)-when-moving-to-a-home-short-term
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4 Updates to Invest in (Plus 4 to Skip) When Moving to a Home Short-Term

ByKristine Gill

Short-term moves can be stressful, and making a temporary space feel like home is important. But before you start knocking out walls and upgrading bathrooms, it’s wise to consider your return on investment—especially if you’re going to be reselling. “The decision to make improvements to a home intended for short-term use should be based on time, money, and immediate gratification,” says Dot Frank, a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Alliance Group. “Since your stay is limited, limit improvements to those you can tackle in short order. Personally, if more than 10% of my stay is spent renovating, it would be a no-go.” Read on for expert tips on the kinds of investments and upgrades to a temporary space that make sense in the long term.  Credit: Jay Wilde Smart Investments for Short-Term Upgrades If you’re having trouble deciding what to invest in for your temporary home, consider your budget and timeline first. “Some upgrades can be very cost effective and can be done quickly, while others can leave you gasping for air and asking yourself ‘are we there yet?” says Devin Juarez, a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Elite. “Analyzing your budget and how long the project will take will help you prioritize your projects.” Next, decide whether the project you’re considering is a want or a need. “A beautiful bathroom might be a great improvement and make your day great when unwinding at the end of a long day, but if your house needs a new roof due to leaks or a new front porch because you’re afraid you might fall through the floor with every step you take, then it might make more sense to put off the new bathroom,” Juarez says.  Finally, consider the return on investment. If you’re only living in a home for a short time, it doesn’t make sense to sink tons of cash into an upgrade unless you can make the money back when you go to sell.  “Some upgrades such as new windows, new front door, new heater, or even an upgraded water heater to provide more hot water might be aesthetically pleasing, provide more efficiency with utilities, or an added comfort, but their cost does not provide a large return when selling the property,” Juarez says. “There are other investments in your home that could provide a better return with the same investment.” Frank says the ideal investment is a cost-effective improvement you’ll be able to appreciate while you reside in the residence, that also boosts your resale value. “Remember the end game is to resell, so make sure to keep it neutral and appealing to prospective buyers,” she says. “Remember the end game is to resell, so make sure to keep it neutral and appealing to prospective buyers.” — Dot Frank Here are a few projects the experts say are often good investments. 1. Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels Kitchens and bathrooms that have been remodeled or updated almost always yield the highest return on investments. “Many buyers go straight to the kitchen when searching for a new home. And many home seekers are paying more attention to the details in the bathroom, as many want that spa-like feel when entering the bathroom,” Juarez says. “We gather around the kitchen when having reunions or unwinding at the end of the day or at the beginning of our days to get the morning boost. An updated kitchen and bathroom can make all the difference between selling your home or it receiving any attention at all.” As you make your updates, try to keep them neutral and pleasing for the widest range of buyers. “Avoid trends that are permanent. You don’t want a permanent trend like your kitchen cabinets. That’s permanent,” says Tammy Doss, an agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central. Doss also cautions against making cheap upgrades like painting countertops, which won’t last long. Don’t have the time or budget for a major overhaul? Consider a small update. “Kitchens and bathrooms might be the heart of the home, but they can also feel daunting to renovate,” says Marjorie Adam, broker and owner at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Pathways. “The good news is that minor upgrades like swapping out cabinet hardware, replacing faucets, and updating light fixtures can be done on a budget and deliver impressive results. These changes elevate the look of the space without requiring a major remodel.” 2. Curb Appeal Updates Doss says curb appeal is one of the best ways to get eyes on your property when you go to sell. “I always tell my buyers, it’s like going on a dating app,” Doss says. “You swipe left or you swipe right. If you see a house that is cluttered with dirty dishes in the sink and it’s just a wreck, you’re going to swipe left. You’re not going to date that house.”  Doss says a well-manicured lawn and facade on your home will draw the most buyers and showings. “Once they’re in the door, they can decide if they want a second date or making an offer,” she says. “They want to see the lawn has been taken care of—no oversized shrub,” Doss says. “They want to make sure the gutters have been taken care of, the porch has been swept off.” If you want to go above and beyond, try adding to your beds. New buyers will be drawn to

5-mistakes-youre-making-in-your-backyard-that-could-be-raising-your-energy-bill-this-summer
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5 Mistakes Youre Making in Your Backyard That Could Be Raising Your Energy Bill This Summer

ByMaria Sabella

Between watering the lawn, grilling, and spending more time outside overall, the backyard uses a lot of energy during the hot summer months. While much of the energy consumption is necessary, there are five major pitfalls experts say you can avoid to keep energy bills down. Actions as simple as unplugging string lights when you go in for the night or turning off the grill as soon as you’re done cooking decrease energy use and leave more money in your wallet. Read on to discover five hidden backyard issues that could be driving up your utility bills and expert-approved ways to fix them. Tim Heneveld is the country director for PERGOLUX North America, a pergola and other outdoor products company. Mark Feygin is the founder and CEO of PowerSetter, a digital energy comparison platform. Lou Manfredini is the resident home expert at Ace Hardware. Andy Fox is the filtration and indoor air quality specialist at 3M. 1. Lack of Shaded Areas in the Backyard A pretty pergola is a great way to upgrade your outdoor space, but thanks to the shade it provides, the structure can also lower your energy bills if placed near your home. “When your backyard lacks shade, the sun will beat down on your home’s exterior, and this will raise indoor temperatures, especially through South and West-facing windows,” says Tim Heneveld, country director for PERGOLUX North America. This forces your air conditioning unit to work overtime, which causes spikes in your energy bills. Heneveld recommends strategically incorporating shaded areas, including structures and landscaping, into your backyard for one of the smartest and most underrated ways to cut cooling costs. “If you install structures like a pergola or a retractable awning, you can block intense afternoon sun while still letting in airflow,” he says. 2. Plugged-In and Wired Outdoor Lights Whether it’s wall sconces or string lights, plugged-in and wired outdoor lights can kill your energy bills. “With longer daylight hours and more time spent outdoors, many homeowners run these lights more than they realize, which adds up quickly on the electric bill,” says Mark Feygin, founder and CEO of PowerSetter. He explains this is especially true if the lights use older, inefficient light bulbs or stay on for long periods of time every night. To reduce your energy costs, Feygin recommends switching to solar-powered outdoor lights. “They charge throughout the day using sunlight and require no electricity from your home, meaning they provide ambient lighting at night without increasing your utility bill,” he says. The switch is a simple upgrade that can lead to noticeable savings in the summer. 3. Leaving a Grill Plugged In for Too Long If you fire up the grill regularly over the summer, there’s a good chance it’s making your energy bills higher. Ace Hardware’s home expert, Lou Manfredini, says that if you are using a gas or electric grill, it should generally take 15 to 20 minutes to get it to the right temperature, after which you should do your grilling, then turn the appliance off. “Allowing too much time for warm-ups and forgetting to shut things down can add to your energy bills,” Manfredini warns. 4. Dirty HVAC Unit Cranking up the air conditioning unit is inevitable during the hot summer months, but a dirty HVAC unit could be contributing to excessively high energy bills. “If the small metal fins on the outdoor unit get clogged with dust, grass clippings, or airborne seeds, the overall cooling efficiency of the HVAC system will deteriorate, and the system will consume more energy to provide the same cooling effect,” says Andy Fox, filtration and indoor air quality specialist at 3M. For this reason, Fox stresses the importance of regularly cleaning your outdoor unit. “Consider using a shop vac to remove large debris (if you have access) and then use a hose to wash the remaining debris away after first turning off the electrical power,” Fox says. Additionally, he advises that you change your HVAC filters at least every 90 days for best performance. 5. Overwatering Your Lawn A lush green lawn is the ultimate way to boost your home’s summer curb appeal, but regulating how much water you use is key to preventing high energy bills. Overwatering your grass can lead to a huge water bill, and forgetting to turn off the irrigation system can waste large amounts of water. To avoid using too much water and seeing your utility bills skyrocket, Manfredini recommends adding a water timer that helps get the right amount of water on the lawn and turns off by itself.