What makes a home, a home? The answer lies not within its walls, but its inhabitants. When you invite someone over, they get to see a snapshot of you. Your structure and decor set the tone of their experience. A home is a special space reserved for your personal life.
Every person you work with, go out for drinks, or watch a movie with, will return back to a place that is completely unique to anyone else’s. A home is not the structure you own, but rather, the space you create and choose to dwell in. The ideal home will not only reflect your personality, but also help contribute to your personal journey.
Beyond shelter, your house should function to make you feel like your best self. This applies to your current place, but also to the future residents, if your intention is to sell. Every cozy, warm feeling you get from being home, the potential buyer should be able to imagine having there as well. You want people to walk in and immediately be able to imagine themselves living there.
Whether you are looking to increase the value of your house to be more marketable, or to revamp your surroundings to be reflect your dynamic personality, home remodeling can certainly be within your grasp.
Where to Start With Home Remodeling
First and foremost, you need a plan. Start with a master list of what you want to accomplish, and branch off from there. Important factors to consider are time management and budgeting. Do some research on how long each specific project will take, as well as how much they will cost. Talk to friends who have done remodeling projects similar to yours, and consult with contractors to devise a workable method. Allow around 25% cushion on both factors, as monkey wrenches love to throw themselves into remodeling projects.
On that note, you’re also probably going to want to finish any old projects, or discard them entirely. You can integrate them into the master plan, but it can be difficult to work around another ongoing renovations. If you are remodeling to sell, pay attention to small aesthetic imperfections. Some chipped paint in the bathroom or scratches on the front door can affect a potential buyer’s subconscious impression of your home. Perhaps consider painting the walls a neutral tone, to make it easier for the imagination to create a future for prospective residents.
If you are remodeling for your own benefit, pay attention to unused spaces and how to get the most out of them. When it comes down to the doing, start with cleaning. Try to donate or throw out anything you don’t need or want, as physical clutter can translate into mental fog. If you’re going to continue living there during the remodeling process, be sure your plan includes having running or potable water accessible. You’re going to want to stay focused on each bullet point on your list at a time, moving from room to room so as not to render your entire home unusable. Stick to your plan as much as possible, only making changes to extant steps your have laid out, rather than trying to add new ideas on as you go (trust me, you’ll want to. But don’t!). Being realistic and committed to your project are key.
What to Consider Before Selling Your Home
It is possible to “over-improve” your home, especially so when your goal is to sell. You want to make the house snazzy, but only to a certain point. You’ve heard it before: location, location, location. No matter how state-of-the art your decor and appliances are, you may hit a wall when it comes to valuing your house because of its surrounding properties. Also, because you have less wiggle room for creativity, you should probably focus more on structural integrity, making sure every aspect of the remodeled home is still up to code. The end goal is present a cozy, but blank canvas for the next person.
Conclusion
Remodeling is a big step for a home owner. But with enough research, preparation, and commitment, it is a dream that you can make come true.
Contact us today and get started!