We spend more on home improvements every passing year. The 2018 Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, LIRA, projected that homeowners would spend nearly $340 billion on home improvements and repairs. This is a 7.5% increase from the estimate for 2017. This steady increase in dollars spent is a crucial clue for what it takes to sell a home in the current market.

The housing market is competitive, and homeowners across the country want to get the most out of their property when it comes time to sell. To do this, they make improvements, repairs, and even additions to their homes in the hopes they can sell it for a higher list price down the line. If you’re looking to do the same, then read on to discover some home renovations that add value to your home.

Refine Landscaping and Curb Appeal

One of the first things that potential homebuyers look at is the overall curb appeal of a property. If you want to raise the value of your home, make sure your home’s exterior looks fresh, clean, and just as attractive as the rest of the houses in your neighborhood. Homebuyers typically don’t want to invest in a home that requires extensive remodeling after they purchase it. It’s for this reason that first impressions are everything.

If you don’t know where to start with the exterior of your home, a new coat of paint never hurts. A fresh new look is the perfect way to make your home stand out and protect it from the elements. You may need to do some research on what paint finishes work best based on the area you live and how much sunlight your siding is exposed to.

Replacing your windows and front door in Cumming, GA can also be a worthwhile investment. Not only will the replacements give the home a new look, but it will also better protect the interior of the home from the elements.

As you pursue these projects, also be sure to keep up with the landscaping. A neat, well-groomed lawn is a great way to complement the beauty of your property and the rest of the neighborhood.

Update Select Areas of Your Home

Crucial areas that buyers look at include the bathroom and the kitchen. These two spaces generally have the biggest need for renovation, as the technologies and designs for these rooms constantly evolve. Adding the most up-to-date amenities can greatly increase the appeal of the home, and, by extension, increase the overall value.

Another home renovation that adds value to your home is turning your unfinished basement into a more welcome and inviting space. While unfinished basements can be used for storage, the value of a home increases when the buyers are given options on how to use a space. By finishing your basement, you create the possibility for new individuals to use that space how they see fit. The key with this renovation is to make the space as open and usable as possible.

If you plan to pursue these renovations, however, there are a few things you should consider before you start. Renovations like these can be expensive, so it’s crucial to weigh the price you’re going to pay for the work against the overall value that will be added to your home. You may not get all your money back from these repairs, and you need to adjust your renovation plans to fit with what you can afford.

Catch Up on Necessary Repairs

When it comes to home improvement, sometimes the details are where you’ll see the most impact. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a broken air conditioner, even the smallest problems can collectively make up the bigger picture of your home. Fixing these small issues will not only prevent larger ones down the line, but will also increase the property’s value, as the new owners won’t have to do any of the work themselves.

Some potential repair projects include the following:

• Reroofing
• Updating siding protection
• Fixing electrical issues
• Repairing water damage
• Removing damaged or rusted pipes
• Removing mold
• Fixing damage from pests
• Repairing the foundation

Be prepared to correct these issues, and others not listed, as they occur so you can avoid more severe damage. While these repairs can be expensive as well, it’s crucial that your home is in pique condition if you want to preserve its value.

Consider Additions

While the most expensive renovation, one of the ways to dramatically increase a home’s value is to add useable floor space to the property with an addition. This could be in the form of a spare bedroom or even a new study. Adding bathrooms to a home tends to increase the value more because homes with multiple bathrooms are typically in high demand.

Deck and patio additions are also extremely sought after. Remember, you’re taking up some of the yard space with these additions, so it’s important to plan them out carefully. Large yards are also popular among homebuyers, especially young couples who wish to start a family, so weigh the pros and cons of the addition carefully.

When evaluating home renovations that add value to your home, remember that they also need to coincide with neighborhood regulations. You may need to make a request with your town hall to start the work. Depending on the town you live in, you may also have specific codes to meet. The town hall will have to agree to the work and give you a permit to build the addition if this is the case. Generally, this isn’t a problem; however, if the town wants all its homes to remain uniform in appearance, you may not be able to make the changes you want. If you live in a gated community, for example, one of the main appeals is that the homes mirror each other, so your options may be limited in what you can pursue.

If you’re looking for a painter in Cumming Georgia to help with your renovation process, Bear Mountain Custom Painting has just the professionals you need. We can take away some of your renovation stress and leave your home with beautiful, lasting results.

According to HPAA, “Color affects your behavior, moods, and thoughts,” thus demonstrating the importance of picking the right color scheme for your home; color psychology is essential to take into account. However, staring down a wall of paint color cards can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure of what you want. With colors and types all over the spectrum, many homeowners find choosing paint to be one of the most difficult parts of home renovations. Even after deciding on one, many still can’t help but wonder if they made the appropriate choice. But that’s what learning how to choose paint colors for your home interior is all about: trial and error and learning as you go. Going into the process with an open mind might even show you that choosing the right paint is easier than you thought it would be.

However, it never hurts to use paint color advice from professionals, either. Read up on the following tips to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to make the right paint color choices.

Think About the Look and Finish

Before you even start thinking of a color, it’s important to plan out what kind of look you’re going for—specifically, what sheen you want the walls to have. Whether it’s vibrant, elegant, or subtle and soothing, determining the look and atmosphere you want to achieve will ultimately help you narrow down your color options. Furthermore, knowing what sheen you want the walls to have will help you enhance that look and protect your walls from damage. Be sure to research your paint finish options thoroughly to figure out which one will work best for you.

Get Ideas from Décor

If choosing an atmosphere doesn’t help, try taking some paint color advice from the color schemes you already have in your home. It makes the process easier and less costly if you create a color scheme from preexisting colors instead of needing to buy new furniture and décor to match the walls. Experiment with different colors to pair with the ones you already have or have your local hardware store custom mix a unique color just for you.

Test Colors

When you have it narrowed down to a few options, you should test them before you begin the project. After acquiring a few samples, paint a few strokes onto the wall to see how it will look once it dries. You can also paint a piece of poster board and compare it to the color of your furniture if you’re looking for a specific match. Keep in mind that the colors of your walls and furniture don’t have to match exactly, but you do want them to complement each other.

Pair Bold Colors with Neutrals

It’s important to remember that no matter which color you pick you should also consider incorporating a neutral to balance it out. Bold colors in particular, while creating a strong atmosphere, can easily overwhelm a room that already has a lot of patterns and textures. If the color you’ve decided on is bright and bold, you might want to consider pairing it with a neutral color to keep that brightness from becoming the focal point of the room. Color schemes such as these will help create contrast within a room while also taking the edge off a particularly bright section of it.

Keep it Consistent

While you don’t have to paint your entire house the same color, it’s important to keep some level of consistency as you maneuver between different rooms. Avoid using colors that are in sharp contrast as they can evoke an atmosphere of chaos rather than the one you’re going for. Depending on the room, you may want to go a few shades darker or lighter of your preferred color; don’t pick hues on opposite ends of the color wheel.

If you need help choosing the right finish and color for your home, Bear Mountain Custom Painting has the interior painting experts in Atlanta that you need. Also, feel free to check out our friends at Redfin for some more great paint color advice!

Adorning the exterior of a home with stained cedar siding is great for achieving a natural and rustic look. However, to maintain the look, you must know how to stain cedar siding.

Staining will not only preserve the value of the home but also prevent the siding from becoming unsightly with signs of visible damage such as splintering, flaking, and fading. As these occur, the fresh wood underneath will be exposed to the outside conditions, and it can begin to decay as well. Luckily, Bear Mountain Custom Painting is here to help you prevent this from happening by providing professional tips on how to stain cedar siding.

If you are looking for house painters in Alpharetta, painting services in Roswell, or help elsewhere in North GA, please get in touch.

How Often Should You Paint or Stain Cedar Siding?

You should paint your wood siding every 3-7 years, or stain it every 4 years or so. How often you’ll need to restain or repaint will depend on your region’s weather conditions as well as how often your home suffers damage. Cedar wood itself deteriorates slowly over time due to its concentration of protective natural oils. However, that protection begins to decay as soon as the wood is exposed to the elements.

Splintering, flaking, and a light gray color on the surface of the siding are all visible signs of damage. As these occur, the fresh wood underneath will be exposed to the outside conditions, and it’ll begin to decay as well.

How To Clean Cedar Siding Prior to Painting It

Before painting or staining cedar siding, it’s essential to clean and prepare it to ensure optimal adhesion and a long-lasting finish. Start by inspecting the siding for any damage, rot, or loose nails. Make repairs as needed. Next, clean the surface to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and old paint or stain. Use a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent, or opt for a specialized wood cleaner. For stubborn stains or mildew, a diluted bleach solution can be effective. Apply the cleaning solution with a soft brush, working in sections and rinsing thoroughly with clean water to avoid residue buildup. Allow the cedar to dry completely, which may take a couple of days depending on the weather conditions. Once dry, lightly sand the surface using a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough spots and promote better paint or stain adherence. Ensure you remove all the sanding dust. Now, your cedar siding is prepped and ready for a fresh coat of paint or stain!

How To Apply New Stain or Paint on Your Wood Siding

Choose Good Weather For Your Paint Job

Before you even pick up a paint brush, you should consider the local weather, as it could affect how well the stain will stick to the siding. Once you decide on the perfect day to do the job, think about the effects you want the treatment to have. When you’re treating cedar, in particular, you’ll want to know how much of the real wood you’d like to cover up and how much stain you’ll have to use to achieve the desired color.

Time is of the Essence – Cedar Can Become Discolored

If you’re staining your cedar siding for the first time, keep in mind that cedar will start to discolor about two weeks after it’s installed. To prevent this discoloration, you’ll want to stain or paint the wood as soon as possible. If your main goal is to protect the cedar, the best option is to paint over it, as the solids in paint ward off light and can postpone the deterioration process.

Learning how to stain cedar siding can be intimidating, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Bear Mountain Custom Painting will work with you to help with any of your home painting needs in the Atlanta area. We have the finest painting contractors in Woodstock, Cumming, and elsewhere.