Whether you’re getting ready to put your house on the market or your list of DIY weekend projects seems to be getting too long, you can tackle several jobs on your own, usually in a short amount of time, to increase the value of your home.

Storage

Storage space ranks high on homebuyer’s lists as something they want in a new house. For this reason, keeping closets, carports and basements clutter-free and organized is important.

Weekends offer plenty of time for purging and restructuring. If you’re handy with a hammer and nails, basic wall shelves can be constructed in just a few hours. Also, home improvement store aisles are packed with ready–to–assemble shelving units and closet organization systems. Take a few days to decide what stays and what goes, and then reorganize your home’s basic storage areas.

Outside

We all know the importance of curb appeal. Homebuyers that see a messy yard and unclean driveway upon arrival at a showing will undoubtedly have a poor first impression of your home.

Pressure washing is a weekend warrior job that does a great deal to improve the appearance of your house. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent one from home improvement stores or appliance rental places. It takes some elbow grease and a few good hours of work to wash away accumulated grime, but the clean driveway, deck and even siding will truly improve your home’s curb appeal.

Dated Fixtures

One of the most recommended tasks for a home seller is replacing dated fixtures. Whether this means exchanging old copper sink faucets for shiny silver ones, or taking down the ceiling fan from the ‘70s, fixture updating is definitely a weekend DIY project.

One idea, take pictures of the sinks, lighting units and mirrors in your home. Head to a home improvement store with the images in hand and ask to speak to an associate. Typically, he or she will be able to help you decide if its time to update them and provide you with some ideas.

Paint

Over time, houses settle. Sometimes, a roof will leak, and water stains will show the ceiling’s paint. Cracks in corners and dingy paint are major turnoffs for homebuyers. Plus, a freshly painted home is cleaner, brighter and generally more comfortable.

Take a quick survey of your home’s rooms, paying close attention to corners and molding. If you see cracks, chips or stains, it’s probably time to repaint. The same goes for paint as it does for fixtures – if you aren’t sure what colors would be best. Take measurements of the rooms and pictures before heading to the paint store. There will be someone there to help guide you.

Owning a home requires constant upkeep, and selling a home requires some additional fixing up. These smaller weekend warrior tasks will help keep your home looking fresh and modern, and they will definitely make your house more appealing to potential buyers.

You’ve decided to work with a builder to create the home of your dreams. Where to start? The process of deciding on every detail of your new house will be a daunting one.

Many people think if they’re building a house, they don’t need a realtor. In reality, it’s a sound decision to start with an experienced realtor. He or she will be knowledgeable about the area and can help you pick out the perfect plot of land. A local Realtor, like Todd Taylor, is also an excellent source of knowledge regarding who in town is great to work with, where the best schools are located and where city amenities can be found.

Next, it’s time to pick a floor plan. Many people overlook the fundamental importance of picking the correct floor plan. The design will decide on which side the garage is located, what floor the bedrooms are on and how many, the layout of the kitchen and much more. Have in mind some basics you know you want in your home – a formal living room, a covered patio or a third floor attic. Then work from there, modifying the layout of the rooms. Be sure not to overlook storage. You want sufficient closet and storage space built into the floor plan.

Windows and their placement. You want to be sure your new home is adequately lit and that the windows face in the appropriate directions. You don’t want the bay window above the garden tub facing the kitchen window of your neighbor’s house. Voice these concerns to your builder while working on the floor plan.

The exterior of the home can be constructed in many ways. Talk to Todd Taylor and your builder about your wishes – stone, brick, stucco, siding. Many people have a color in mind and work from there. The roofing options are also important – shingles or metal. Don’t overlook the life expectancy of the materials you decide to use. You want your house to last for as long as it possibly can with minimal repairs and structural maintenance.

Don’t forget the small things. If you want a large fridge, be sure the space built for it is big enough. If you have several phones, fax machines and computers, concern yourself with the number of outlets in the house. Small issues regarding lighting, such as whether or not you want fans, dropped lighting, track lighting or recessed lighting, must be deliberated.

Building a house should be exciting, but the details can quickly become burdensome. Sit down with your realtor and builder before embarking and make a checklist. This will help guide you through the process and ensure you don’t overlook something that you will grow to regret.