Category: Home Improvement

Landscaping: 5 Tips to Increase Your Home’s Value

landscape

Home improvement projects can be overwhelming and who wants to spend their free time camped out inside covered in sawdust on a beautiful spring day? Whether you want to put your home on the market now or in the future, here are a few simple tips to get you outdoors while increasing the resale value on your house!

  1. Have a Strategy in Mind

Before taking a shovel to your whole yard, have a strategy in place for the design you want. You could even hire a professional landscaper to come up with a design for you. You don’t typically have to hire them to complete the design, but do it yourself. Think about what goes with the design of your home, what plants might need the most time to grow and how to stay on budget. Some of your ideas might take some time to accomplish, so break up what you want to get done into separate timelines.

  1. Keep it Green

Planting trees is not only great for the planet, but they will help cut down on energy costs from the shade they provide. They make your home more attractive to visitors and potential buyers. Did you know that one study even shows that neighborhoods with a lot of vegetation report less crime? That sounds like a win-win to us!

  1. Think Low Maintenance

While you may want to go all out in landscaping your home, less is more. Unless a potential buyer is a master-gardener, a majority of people will translate a yard with extreme detail as more work. Focus on simplicity and utility to attract a wide range of spectators.

  1. Front Side Curb Appeal

Some experts say to spend 10 percent of the value of your home into landscaping. However, this might not guarantee a 15 percent increase in resale value as suggested, nor be in your budget. There is curb appeal for a reason, and we recommend starting with the first side of the home that people see. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be with vegetation. Paint your front door or upgrade the numbers on your home. These are easy updates that will draw your visitors in.

  1. Consider All Seasons

When deciding on plants, try to have an array of species that will make your home stand out all year long. From tulips in the spring, to chokeberry bushes in the winter, having an assortment will make it easier to draw potential buyers in all year long-whenever you decide it’s time put the house on the market. Try opting for plants that are drought-friendly, so you are not having to worry about daily watering.

When the time comes and you are ready to move onto your next home, Peoples Bank & Trust will be right beside you.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Cheap Updates to Improve your Kitchen’s Value

Mario Batali said, “The kitchen really is the castle itself. This is where we spend our happiest moments and where we find the joy of being a family.” Do you find people leaving the comfort of your plush rugs and pillows to only be leaning against your laminate counter talking for long periods of time? If you find your guests and family gravitating to the kitchen, why not make it a significant experience for them?

Peoples Bank & Trust is here to give you ideas for how you can improve the value and experiences of your kitchen on a budget.

Lighting
Having the right lighting can dramatically change the vibe of your kitchen. Even if this is the only tip you utilize, it is sure to make a difference. You can typically find reasonably priced lighting at large hardware stores, or online. Pendant lights are a current trend that people are drooling over.  If you have old-school vintage lighting, you can update it by replacing the lights with Edison light bulbs and spray painting with a metal finish or coordinating paint. Additionally, adding under cabinet lighting will help to soften the kitchen. This can help it to appear bigger and more welcoming to those large groups that always find their way into your kitchen!

Storage

Get that clutter put away! Not only will your kitchen look smaller, but having too many items on the countertops can keep it from looking modern as the minimalist look is on the rise. Look for new ways you can utilize your storage, or create more. Maybe it’s time to get rid of some appliances that you never use. You could sell these to make some extra cash to go towards revitalizing the room. You can purchase a pull out storage kit and drawer organizers to maximize what you have for space, without needing to do a complete cabinet remodel.

Paint

You don’t have to be an expert designer to use paint! Although it may be tedious, it’s a cheap way to up the value of your home by making it look fresh and clean. Here are some items you can paint to dramatically change the feel of your kitchen.

  • Cabinets- If you don’t have the money to spend to update your tired cabinets, grab some sandpaper, primer and a light colored paint. Professional designers recommend light or citrus colors. Even removing some of your cabinet doors to showcase your favorite dishes will modernize the room. Paint the inside shelves white to really make it pop!
  • Focal Wall- Paint one wall in your kitchen a few shades darker than the other walls, to create an accent wall. This will give more dimension to your home and be a quick fix. Try out Chalkboard paint to make it even more fun!
  • Island- If you have an island, paint this a bright color.
  • Floors- If you have weathered floors, look into mixing it up with painting them a fun design like these. This is much less expensive than completely replacing your flooring and you can always add a comfy rug to add even more appeal.

Accessories

If you don’t have the time to complete a large project, these simple additions are another option.

Put new handles and pulls on your cabinets that are sleek and current. Don’t choose anything that has too much character, because if you sell your home in the future, potential buyers won’t find it amusing.

You may not be a plumber, but it doesn’t take too much skill to replace your faucet. There are so many options on styles and functions, you will be pleased with how much you can enjoy this simple addition.

While you don’t want to darken your kitchen too much, adding window treatments amplifies style and privacy. You can make your own out of kitchen towels or buy roman shades.

You may not have spent the whopping average of $21,907 on a kitchen remodel, but you will definitely have added value to your kitchen and to your guests’ experiences!

Fall and Winter Home Prep to Save You Money

Fall and Winter Home Prep

As the seasons change, so do your bills. However, finding new ways to save can be tricky when you’re already super savvy. By creating a good savings foundation during the fall and winter, you will be able to start 2018 off in a healthy financial state. That’s why Peoples Bank and Trust has compiled a list of tips and tricks to prepare your home for the seasons to come in order to save some cash!

Install energy-efficient windows

A low-emissivity glass also known as Low-E glass is used to help block the rays of the sun up to 90 percent, and keep the heat inside when it’s cold and outside when it’s hot. Energy Star estimates those who replace a single-pane window with an energy-efficient model will save $126-$465. Now multiply that times the number of windows you replace and you’re looking at quite the savings.

Lower water heating temperature

If you lower your water heating temperature, you will save 4-22 percent annually on your bill. Instead of allowing the water to get scalding hot, you can set it to only become warm which will increase your savings every time you shower, wash your hands, or do dishes.

Adjust the temperature

By turning back your thermostat by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day, you can save up to 10% each year on heating and cooling bills. Each time you raise your thermostat by one degree, your heating bill is raised by 3%, so it’s important to avoid that mistake.

Weather stripping

Thirty to 40 percent of your heating costs are lost to air leaks, according to Energy Star. That’s why it’s important to find where drafts are coming from in order to cover the leaks with weather stripping materials, which start off at around $5.

Replace light fixtures

If you replace your home’s five most frequently-used light fixtures or bulbs with energy efficient ones, you can save $75 a year. Just imagine if you did that with more bulbs! 

Fix leaking faucets

If you fix a leaky faucet, you will save $35 and 1,661 gallons of water if it drips one drip per second. Little things like a leaky faucet end up having a big impact on your bills over time, so be sure to check your nozzles.

We hope that these home hacks will help you save this fall, winter, and hopefully the seasons to come! Contact Peoples Bank & Trust if you have questions about what else you can do in order to grow your savings.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Three Things to Look for in a Starter Home

If you’re in the market for your first home, congratulations! Becoming a homeowner is an exciting step on your financial journey. At Peoples Bank & Trust, our dedicated mortgage lenders are here to help you find the best financing option for your new home. Remember to stop in and secure a pre-approval letter before you start your home search.

 

After speaking with a mortgage lender to help determine your family’s ideal price point, it’s time to start viewing potential homes. During this process you’re bound to find a home you’ll fall in love with, and others that may send you running for the hills. As you ride this rollercoaster of an experience, we recommend searching for the following three things in your family’s ideal new house:

 

  1. Good Bones. Starter homes are a great option to find a great house within an affordable budget. To ensure your investment lasts for the long-term, we recommend taking a hard look at any foundational cracks, leans, or other structural ailments. While the rest of the house could look fantastic, these three issues should be instant red flags signaling you to continue looking at other homes.
  2. Cohesive Neighborhood. The people you surround yourself could be the individuals you see at 6:00 AM taking the trash out, or the partiers you have to ask to turn down the music at 11:00 PM. As you tour properties, don’t be afraid to chat with any potential neighbors and see if there is any information they can give on families you’ll be living alongside.
  3. Suitable Layout. While some renovations are certainly possible when purchasing a starter home, obstacles such as load-bearing walls could limit your expectations. Consider the overall layout of the home at the showing, and see if you could picture yourself the way it is. If the answer is no, then you may want to find a few backup options should the renovations not be available within your budget.

 

 

The perfect home will look different to everyone. If you’re ready to start searching for your family’s new house, our experienced mortgage lenders are here to help. We work with many successful local realtors, and we would be happy to refer you to the one that fits your needs best. Give us a call or stop by to begin the search for your home today.

 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

NMLS# 407724

The Top 10 Things That Add Value to Your Home

home renovations

Just like purchasing your home, selling it is a journey all its own. Whether you’re aiming to sell your home in one year or five, you can make a number of small changes that offer a big return on your home’s value. Try these key improvements and see the effect on your next home assessment.

  1. An eye-catching entrance. As the gateway into your home, your front door will set the tone for what’s within. Update your door bell, paint the front door, and hang a spring wreath to tie it all together.
  2. Energy-efficient updates: Updating appliances, windows, and fixtures, to their more green counterparts can set your home apart with the attractive promise of future savings.
  3. Low-maintenance landscaping: While flowers are eye-catching, shrubs and drought-resistant greenery make great visual impact with the promise of less hassle.
  4. A thorough clean. A deep clean of carpets, curtains, and corners will make your home sparkle and create a positive first impression. Hiring a professional cleaning service may also help to remove hard-to-clean grime and overlooked areas.
  5. De-cluttered rooms. A tidy house doesn’t always feel open. Heavy curtains, overstuffed couches, and rooms devoid of sunlight can make buyers cautious of square footage. Rid the room of nothing but bare essentials and simplistic furniture to maximize the area of the space.
  6. Extra mirrors. To double the feel of any room, strategically place mirrors to create an illusion of extra space.
  7. Small updates to big places. Kitchens and bathrooms are focal points in the selling process. Without the time and cost of a major remodel, small updates like new lighting, fresh paint, or modern accessories can add value to your home on a budget.
  8. Revamped flooring: Thin or threadbare carpets can raise alarms for buyers as they visualize the daunting need to replace the tired flooring. As your budget allows, replace your home’s carpet beginning high-traffic areas and working outwards.
  9. Modern lighting. Updating light fixtures to a timeless and simple feel, help to elevate a home’s design and gives the potential buyer a blank canvas to imagine life in their new home.
  10. A professional opinion. In under an hour, a trained interior designer can provide suggestions for small tweaks, such as furniture arrangement or paint color adjustments, which can increase your home’s value with limited investment.

While improvements are not a guarantee of improved value, they can make all the difference when drawing in interested buyers. If some of your home-improvement projects require a bigger investment than your budget expected, our lending officers at Peoples Bank & Trust can work to help you secure the Home Equity Line of Credit you need.

 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

NMLS# 407724

Equal Housing Lender

Member FDIC