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"Personal taste is important, but you should always think how any changes you make on your home today will impact its resale value tomorrow," says home improvement expert Don Zeman, host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Homefront with Don Zeman. "Whether consciously or unconsciously, consumers are constantly making investments in their home. Something as simple as adding landscaping or painting a room is an investment."
According to Zeman, a former contractor with 28 years of experience, the bigger the ticket item, the more thought people usually put into the project. "Every time you spend money on your home, no matter how small or large the project, you should consider how this affects the future resale of your house," says Zeman.
"Most importantly, homeowners should plan for the replacement of key elements of their home during the time they live there. Don't wait for the roof to leak or the dishwasher to conk out. Smart homeowners make educated replacement decisions that can save them money now, while they're living in the home, and also in the long run when they go to sell the home."
Based on his experience in the home improvement industry, Zeman recommends these top ten projects that have maximum return on investment for homeowners.
Project #1 - Give the outside of your home a critical look. Do you have trim or shutters that have faded or peeling paint? If so, now's the time to improve the curb appeal of your home by replacing these eyesore items with low-maintenance exterior trim and shutters. Fypon makes products that resist fading, rot and all forms of weather. There are hundreds of synthetic pieces to complement any home style while eliminating on-going maintenance chores.
Project #2 - Tired of seeing your energy bills skyrocket every month? Then look at your windows. It's possible you're spending way too much money to heat or cool air that is escaping through old, inefficient windows. Energy-efficient glass packages with ENERGY STAR® ratings can help reduce those bills. And, windows with vinyl frames are not only easy to maintain, but also serve as good insulators to help save on energy bills.
Project #3 - Every product in the home has a life span. Evaluate your major home components, such as roofing and siding, on a yearly basis. While it may be tempting to wait until these features wear out completely, it's smarter and more cost-effective to replace aging items before they break down. When it's time to replace your roof, deck, siding or driveway, get competitive prices and try to have the work done during "off seasons" to save costs.
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