Getting the best price in a bad market
The way your home looks from the outside can greatly add to its selling price.
One of the tests for when it’s OK to get short-term loans is whether they can actually help you make money.
Now is a terrible time to have to sell your home, as values for housing have sunk so low. But life happens, and if getting short-term loans to fix up your house could push up your home’s selling price, it could be a good investment.
Almighty curb appeal
The best way to increase the amount you can get for your home is to start on the outside, according to CNNMoney.com.
If the siding on your home is worn or damaged, replacing it is a good first step. If taking out short-term loans to get your siding repaired quickly will get more buyers looking at your home sooner, it might be worth it.
Siding tips
According to a remodeling survey, fiber-cement siding is the best way to get your money’s worth and add value to your home. Also, if only a portion of your siding is in really bad shape, consider replacing just that part. If you can get away with patching and painting the rest, go for it.
Stack your deck
If you live in a warm climate, adding a deck to your home will greatly increase its value. Eric Stalemark, a contractor and founder of Decks.com, says that cedar is the best wood to use for a deck based on durability and appearance.
Get rid of window pain
Sprucing up your yard is another way to add value to your home.
If your windows are rotting or not properly sealed, replacing them can start saving you money immediately and increase the value of your home at the same time.
Windows certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association and the National Fenestration Rating Council can cut heating and cooling costs up to 30 percent. Whatever you do, make sure your new windows match the rest of the house to ensure they will drive the price of your home up, not down.
If short-term loans can help you start saving on heating immediately, it might be worth it to start your project today.
That is some great advice. Curb appeal is a huge factor, and even if you add better windows not intending to sell your home, you’ll immediately notice a decrease in your heating/cooling bill. Heat transfer happens the most around windows and doors, so those areas are the best to keep sealed. If you save a few hundred bucks a year doing that, you’ll have new windows paying for themselves in a few years no problem.