Sacramento Movers Share How to Increase the Value of Your Home

It’s good to know which projects will actually increase the value of your home before you start renovating your home. Here is a list of renovations that will increase the value, as well as some that may not be worthwhile in the end.

(Photo Credit- Roost Realty)

Renovations to Do:

Upgrade your kitchen. Kitchen renovation should be at the top of the list. This is the room where families tend to spend most of their time. Some suggestions are to upgrade all the appliances to stainless steel, and installing counter tops made from engineered stone or granite to improve the aesthetic appeal.

Upgrade your bathroom. Replace old, cracked, or dirty toilets. They can be an eyesore! The same goes for a vanity, install one that recesses into the wall to save space. Proper lighting can also be a value booster, whether it’s replacing old lighting or adding a window for natural lighting. Another simple fix is to re-glaze your bath tub if you cannot afford to replace it.

Go green. In recent years there has been a growing demand for green housing. This involves anything that can make your house more energy efficient. Changes can be small such as adding a ceiling fan in every room.

Renovations to avoid:

Converting a room. Turning a bedroom into a room that is specific to your interests, such as a library or wine cellar is a risk. Once you start changing the structure of a room, you make it less valuable because the next owner may not want to spend the money to re-renovate the room. If this is something you insist on doing, make it easy to undo.

Laying down carpet. More and more people want natural hardwood flooring. It’s easier to clean, it doesn't show as much dirt, and it’s better for people who suffer from allergies.

Redoing your garage. Some people do some interesting things with their garages, such as turning them into family rooms or play rooms, and laying down carpet. Most people just want a garage to simply function as a garage; a place to park your car and keep dirty outdoor stuff. It’s okay to redo your garage in a sensible way, such as adding shelving or expanding it, but don’t overdo it.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Kelley Skerritt, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Share Problems to Look For When Purchasing a Home

Buying a home can be tricky, you never really know what you’re going to get so you need to be sure that you inspect the home before you make any final commitments. Preexisting problems with the home can end up costing you a lot of money, so here are some things to check carefully when house hunting.

(Photo Credit- Lawyers.com)

·        Turn the taps on in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry to check the water pressure, performance and drainage. Keep an eye out for dirty water, and it can't hurt to drink the water for a taste test because the taste can vary from location to location.

·        Check the hot water system. Make sure it’s the correct size to meet your family’s needs.  Also check for leaks, rust and age; replacing a broken hot water system can be expensive and is not the sort of thing you can put off. If it is gas, check for the system's last servicing.

·        Be extra cautious if the house has been recently painted because it could be masking serious problems such as mold.

·        Check for damp areas on the walls and look for signs of peeling or bubbling paint, especially in bathrooms. Watermarks are a dead giveaway. Fixing the issues that arise from this can sometimes run well into the tens of thousands of dollars. Again if freshly painted, rely on your sense of smell.

·        If possible, visit the house on a rainy day to check for leaky roofs, walls or ceilings.

·        Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms in the house to renovate so pay close attention to the age and quality of cabinets, flooring, plumbing, and counter tops.

·        Make sure your furniture and appliances fit in the rooms. Replacing certain items is very costly.

·        Check the insulation, with energy prices so high, a well-insulated home can help keep you warm in the cooler months and cooler in the warmer months. It’s important to have at least a foot of insulation in the ceiling, and insulating the walls will also help reduce energy costs. Adding insulation can cost about $1,000. Blowing it into the walls adds several thousand dollars to that cost.

·        Check the heating and air conditioning systems, both can be very costly to repair. If there isn't central cooling keep in mind that wall and window units area cheaper to replace, but cost more to run and if they stay in place year-round can cause water damage or mold in the surrounding area.

·        If you happen to fall in love with a home that does need work, you can also try to negotiate a lower price or insist that the current home owner makes repairs before finalizing your offer.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Kelley Skerritt, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Share Ways to Add Curb Appeal to Your House

Whether you just want to make you home look nice inside and out or you have your home up for sale, first impressions about your home are everything. Curb appeal matters whether or not you have a home up for sale because an attractive, well maintained home and yard is inviting and can give you a lift every time you come home.

·        Tackle the maintenance details. Start by mowing the lawn and edging the driveway and walkway. Every line should be straight. Power wash the outside, and polish every surface that shines.

·        Clean the walkways and driveway. Clean each surface then patch small holes and cracks. If you are feeling creative and up for the extra work, define the edges of a side walk or driveway with brick or stone.

·        Arrange a container garden. Combine a variety of sizes, heights, shapes and textures along with a pop of color of blooming plants.

·        Add trees or plant beds. Mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can add significant value to your home and provide shading for the home which can reduce air-conditioning costs in the summer. Even small trees can provide shade!

·        Paint or replace the front door. If your door is in good shape, remove the hardware, sand it thoroughly, and apply 2 coats of exterior enamel in a color that contrasts with the home or complements the siding. Or you can just replace the whole thing.

·        Hang shutters. Nothing can really change a home’s appearance faster than adding shutters. Well-placed shutters define windows and add dimension and color.

·        Upgrade exterior lighting. Good lighting can make your home sparkle and extremely inviting. Try lining a walkway with solar landscape lights, or swapping out an old recessed light for a chandelier.

·        Renew home hardware. Beauty lies in the details. Take a weekend to update and replace items like the door knob, knocker, and address numbers. Choose timeless items that will remain looking elegant, and compliment your homes architecture.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Kelley Skerritt, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.