Five Proven Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

If you’re planning to sell your property or mortgage your home, you’ll definitely want to get the best value for it. Inspectors, dealers, and agents are actually very keen on it. They want to make sure that your house is in tip top shape before you get a good appraisal.

Some people would hire property consultants or agents to help them work on increasing the value of their home. But there are actually some things that you can work on by yourself before you even invite a professional. Here are five proven ways to increase the value of your home:

1. Upgrade the kitchen

One of the first things that meticulous eyes check when inspecting a property is the kitchen. It is tagged by real estate exerts as the number one upgrade which can add the greatest value to your home.

No matter what kind of feels your house has, modernizing the kitchen would really make a huge difference to its value. And this doesn’t only mean adding modern appliances. You can work on the paint color, the cabinets, and other fixtures. Think sleek and simple. The trend today is gearing towards minimalist and functional.

2. Remodel the bathrooms

Running second to the kitchen is the bathroom. A lot of property appraisers are also very particular in checking bathrooms. Before beautifying it, make sure that everything is up an running- no leaky faucets, or clogged drains.

The bathroom is actually one of the easiest spaces to remodel. You can keep the fixtures and just play with the tiles and the paint color. Pro tip: creating a relaxing and spa vibe in the bathroom can do wonders to your home’s value.

3. Make it low-maintenance

A lot of buyers are now very particular about the maintenance requirements of a home. Even small tools to make things in the house easier and more efficient could actually be a huge plus factor.

Inspect the whole house and make the necessary repairs. Then, you can consider installing devices or things that will make the house low maintenance. For instance, a built in trash bin on your kitchen counter will make cleaning up after cooking much easier. Keeping intricate designs on walls and other parts of the house to a minimum is also a plus.

4. Install energy-saving features

Another new trend in the real estate market is energy efficiency. Buyers do not only take a look at the aesthetics. They are also keen on function- think environment-friendly and energy-efficient.

Adding more windows and allowing more natural light to come in is one of the key things to consider when trying to save energy. A good heating and cooling system should likewise be considered. Replacing bulbs with LED lights and upgrading to energy-saving appliances would also help.

5. Repaint the house

Repainting is one upgrade that’s been tried and tested through time. Even if you don’t make any major structural changes, a new color-scheme could give your home’s value a boost.

The current trend in paint is leaning towards the neutral tones. After all, timeless and classic never fails.

How to Pick the Best Water Heater for Your Household

Water heating is necessary in most households today. When on the market for a water heater, it is important to know what to look for in a unit that will be best for your household.

Having said that, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Type of Fuel

There are two common types of fuel used by water heaters to operate: gas and electricity. Both gas and electric water heaters come with installation, initial, and operation costs, and energy efficiency will be different. Next to the HVAC system, water heating consumes the most energy in the home. Thus, it is important to keep your costs to the minimum.

The choice between a tankless or tank-type heater depends not only on your preference, but on other factors as well. A tank-type heater can supply various fixtures at the same time – without any temperature fluctuation. You get hot water anytime you need it. The best tank-type units have a useful life of around 10 years, providing hot water efficiently even during peak times.

A tankless unit requires a higher initial cost. But, it is often smaller and wall-mounted. The heater can provide you with as much hot water as you need anytime. A large-sized unit is able to supply around 4 fixtures at the same time. High quality tankless units use green technology, and can last for many years.

High Efficiency Performance

The ideal water heater is highly efficient, allowing you to save more money and energy. Best-selling models today are often Energy Star-rated. Check out the unit’s EF factor that describes that burner and tank design quality, ignition system, and insulation, among others. The higher the unit’s R value, or the thicker its insulation, the better its performance potential.

Electric water heater units often have higher energy efficiency than gas units. Electric heat pump models are the most efficient electric models. Condensing gas heaters, on the other hand are the most efficient gas units.

Price and Warranty

For many households, the price and length of the warranty period are among the primary factors in choosing the water heater model to buy. The thing is, a cheap water heater often comes with a shorter warranty and lower quality. The best water heater models often command a higher price tag. Technology is often more advanced, and the units have better efficiency, reliability, durability, and longer warranty periods.

A lot of models today have a 6-year warranty, and those that offer an extended coverage offer a warranty period of 9 to 12 years. An extended warranty, however, entails additional cost.

The primary difference between models that offer a short warranty period and those that offer a longer term lies in the anode rod. Units that come with a longer warranty have a bigger anode rod installed. To save on money, some people opt to buy a lower priced water heater with a shorter warranty period, and just replace the anode rod later.

Leading brands often offer functional features such as self-cleaning system, stainless steel heating elements, and high recovery rate, among others. They also come with a long 12-year warranty. Lower-end models often offer only the basic features. Their warranty period is often shorter, as well.

Final Word

Keep the tips provided above. They can provide significant help when you are trying to find the right type of water heater to buy for your home. It is also a good idea to read online reviews and recommendations from actual buyers.  A spartan water heaters that is trusted by consumers, and one that has many years of experience in the industry is often a good and safe choice.

Related Content: Our Favorite Remodeling Projects From 2018

Identifying Common Air Conditioning Problems

Your air conditioning system provides you comfort during the hottest days of summer. But, just like other frequently-used home appliances, wear and tear can take their toll, and cause your unit to malfunction. In addition, other issues may come into play that may prevent your air conditioning from functioning at optimum levels. Some common problems are easy to fix on your own, while others may require the help of an HVAC specialist.

To limit the risk of more serious problems that may require repairs, a regular preventive maintenance schedule can help. It also helps if you know how to identify common air conditioning problems. This way, you can easily spot potential problems before they can do more damage to your system.

Common Air Conditioning Problems

•   Poor Air Pressure – When you experience weak air pressure from your unit, the problem may be mechanical in nature. It may also be due to a problem with the ductwork or the air filter. To be sure, inspect the air filter for too much dirt. In some cases, changing the filter may address the problem without need for additional repairs.

Another cause of the problem may be dirty evaporator coils. An AC tune-up can easily fix the issue. This usually happens if you fail to give your air conditioning a regular tune-up. Leaky ducts or a broken blower part may likewise affect the flow of air, either of which will necessitate repairs.

•   Blowing not so Cold Air – If your cooling equipment blows air that is not as cold as usual, you may need professional help to fix the problem. One of the most common causes of this problem is poor maintenance. Dirty coils prevent the smooth process of exchange between the refrigerant and the air. Another factor could be low levels of refrigerant. Either way, regular system maintenance can prevent the problem.

•   Short Cycling – When your system turns off before the desired cooling level is achieved, it is experiencing short cycling. The unit must stay on for no less than 20 minutes before it can dehumidify and cool adequately. This means there could be a problem if it shuts down before 20 minutes. Cycling problems may be due to inappropriate refrigerant levels. Other possible causes are frozen coils or electronic problems with the control board. If it is your first time to experience a cycling issue, you need to contact an HVAC specialist for proper diagnosis and repairs.

•   System not Operating – If your air handler or compressor is not running, the problem may be simple. Check the thermostat to make sure it is set to cool, and the target temperature is below the current reading. The thermostat batteries may also be causing the problem, and replacement may be necessary.

Another possible issue is a tripped breaker. If it trips frequently, the problem may be more serious than you suspect. It may require the services of a specialist.

Some air conditioning problems may need the services of experts. But, some are simple enough for a DIY fix. Follow the tips provided in this post to fix some common air conditioning problems.

Related Content: How Air Purifiers Help Your Home

How Air Purifiers Help Your Home

Air purifiers may seem unimportant and needlessly expensive, especially if you’ve been virtually immune to allergies all your life. Well, truth be told, these appliances actually offer a number of benefits not just for you, but for your entire family. If you’re yet to invest in an air purifier, it’s time that you learn about some of its most impressive perks.

Minimizes the Downsides of Cooking

Say you regularly cook and you have a basic exhaust fan installed in your kitchen. Does that mean you’re safe from all gases and fumes that may get released during your culinary pursuits? Given the limited coverage of the typical exhaust fan, harmful chemical compounds (e.g. nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide) still end up in various areas of your home.

With the help of an air purifier, you’ll easily get rid of most of those gases. Living indoors would become much safer—and of course, more pleasant since odors won’t be much of an issue either.

Keeps Dander and Hair to a Minimum

Aside from being associated with allergies, pet dander and hair make it harder to keep your home spotless. Some people spend hours each week vacuuming all nooks and crannies just to prevent these things from accumulating. Fortunately, many air purifiers are capable of filtering out both dander and hair, making it easier to maintain cleanliness at home.

People with asthma or any respiratory condition will surely appreciate this benefit, as they’re more likely to develop symptoms upon getting exposed to pet dander and hair.

Effectively Gets Rid of Airborne Molds

Mold spores, despite being invisible to the naked eye, have a significant impact on your health. Although they don’t typically cause disease, they have the capacity to weaken your immune system. That becomes a much bigger problem whenever you’re sick, as recovery may take a lot longer. In some cases, fungal infections even develop.

Air purifiers that are equipped with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are more than capable of trapping these spores (up to 0.3 microns). Many HEPA filters also have silver-ion threads to kill off all kinds of microbes.

Prolongs Your HVAC Filter’s Lifespan

Whenever your HVAC filter gets loaded or clogged, efficiency drops and energy expenses rise. The basic HVAC filter (those made of fiberglass) usually lasts around a month before requiring replacement. Higher-end variants could stay sufficiently functional for up to six months. Of course, given the cost of these filters, you’d want them to last as long as possible.

By putting an air purifier in your home, less dust would end up getting trapped by the HVAC filter. Aside from needing fewer filter replacements, your HVAC will likewise be less susceptible to maintenance woes. 

Air Purifiers: Capable and Beneficial

So, at this point, it should be clear that air purifiers aren’t just another novelty appliance. They provide all sorts of perks, and are able to positively affect cleanliness, comfort, and overall wellbeing. All in all, air purifiers may seem expensive, but they do a pretty good job at making any abode a much better place to live in.

Our Favorite Remodeling Projects From 2018

As we get settled into a brand new year, it’s fun to take a moment and look at just a few of the wonderful remodeling projects we completed in the last 12 months. Here is some of our best work from 2018.

 

Remodeling A Historic Kitchen

A historic kitchen isn’t usually equipped to meet the needs of modern families. This 1920s Irvington kitchen was no exception, until Neil Kelly transformed the space.

 

Neil Kelly updated this mid-century modern kitchen during a kitchen remodel

Cramped Kitchen Transforms Into Dream Come True

What will you do when your children graduate from college? For this Kirkland, Washington couple, the answer was simple: make your dream kitchen into a reality.



 

Remodeling A Spectacular Lake View Kitchen

The kitchen was basked in natural light, showcasing a wrap-around view of Oswego Lake. Yet something was missing from this contemporary lakefront home.

 

Transforming A Woodland Kitchen, Fireplace and Entry

This McKenzie River home was disjointed. Its pickled oak cabinets, gold hardware and pristine cream carpets were appropriate for the city, but not for its forested location. Tucked up against the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, this charming woodland home beckoned for warm, earthy materials, especially in the kitchen.



Northwest Contemporary Update In Rock Creek

In 1978, the movie Grease was released, Jimmy Carter was president and gas was under a dollar a gallon. That same year Jo Lavey and Don Wold’s Rock Creek home was built. Forty years later, they decided they needed an entire 2018 update and turned to Neil Kelly Company.



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