Simple Home Updates than Can Pay Off BIG!!!!

Landscaping

Average return at resale: 100 percent

The average homeowner spends about $3,502 for landscaping and $1,465 on a designer, according to the American Nursery Landscape Association. Not sure where to start? Local garden centers often offer free design services, or ask the neighbors what works for them. Sod costs about 30 to 35 cents a square foot, so a 5,000 sq. ft. yard would cost about $1,500 to sod. Budget for delivery fee if you buy less than 1,000 sq. ft. of sod. A splash of color at the front of the house is an eye-catching plus. For maximum impact, use one color and vary the height of plants. If your doorway is overwhelmed by greenery, get out the shears. Replace overgrown shrubbery with flowering foundation plants, mixing heights and colors for dramatic effect. A charming focal point like a walkway and fountain adds major value to your property. Roll a sealant on flagstones for a permanent wet look that enhances the color.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

Average return at resale: 98.5 percent

A minor kitchen remodel averages $14,913 for $14,691 at resale, a recoup rate of 98.5 percent. Do a minor remodel when your kitchen needs a cosmetic update and not a drastically different floor plan. A $15,000 kitchen update covers 30 feet of re-facing for cabinets and drawers, a new wall oven, cooktop, sink and fixtures, laminate countertops and resilient flooring. Put recessed lights 3’ to 5’ apart on center and 18" from cabinets to light the countertops. Running the lights between two joists is easier than running through the joists. Cover old vinyl with floor leveler so the pattern doesn’t bleed through. You can’t put a second layer of vinyl on if the subfloor is below-grade concrete. Brighten up the kitchen by sanding and painting existing cabinets. It's much less expensive than buying new ones.  Add decorator detail without the cost by changing drapes and window molding

Minor Bathroom Remodel

Average return at resale: 102 percent

It costs about $10,500 to replace the tub, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity and fixtures. You’ll get back an average of $10,700 at resale, a recoup rate of 102 percent. If your old tub is too large to fit out the door, re-glaze it for a like-new finish. Cost: $300 to $400. Remove dated wall coverings and apply a fresh coat of paint. For damaged walls, spray-on texture provides quick coverage. Replace old shower doors or remove them to add the illusion of space

Major Bathroom Remodel

Average return at resale: 93.2 percent

A major bathroom remodel involves expanding an existing 5x7 ft. bathroom, relocating and replacing the tub and toilet and adding designer sinks and faucets, a linen closet, lighting, a ceramic tile floor and exhaust fan for a cost of $26,052, which brings in $24,286 at resale. Start at the bottom. Replace old floors with fresh tile in ceramic or stone for a solid payoff. Buy extra tiles in case you break any during installation. Set some tiles aside at the end of the job for future repairs. Give an old vanity a facelift with a new countertop for a clean, fresh look buyers will love. Use eye-fooling tricks to make a small bath look larger. A new pedestal sink is a smart replacement for an old cabinet. The smaller footprint gives the illusion of space.

Replacement Windows

Average return at resale: 89.6 percent

Replacing ten 3x5 ft. windows runs about $9,700. On average nationally, you’ll get back $8,700 when you sell, a recoup rate of nearly 90 percent. Big city window replacements pay off. The average homeowner recoups more than she spends on replacement windows in San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, Miami, Chicago, NYC and Boston. For hot climates, there’s low-e glass that reflects heat. And for maximum efficiency, add argon gas inside the pane to prevent heat and cold transference within the window.

A few KEY Items every homeowner should know!

A Leaking Water Heater is a Time Bomb

Water heaters sometimes leak from the drain valve or relief valve. Those valves are easy to replace. But if a leak is coming from the tank, you've got serious trouble. The tank is lined with a thin coat of glass. Eventually, that glass begins to crack, the steel begins to rust away and a puddle appears. Left alone, the tank will rupture, causing an instant flood. It may take months for a leak to become a flood, or it may take days. But it will happen. Don't gamble. Replace that leaking time bomb now.

Make Your HVAC Last

Regular filter replacement is the very best thing you can do to . And here's a way to keep track of that task: Buy several filters and label them. With some systems, monthly filter changes are best. Others can go a few months between changes.

Shut Off the Water Before Vacation

Every insurance adjuster has a hundred stories like this one: The homeowners left town Friday and returned Sunday evening to find thousands of dollars in water damage. The moral of these stories is simple: Before going on vacation, turn off the main water valve. In less than a minute, you can eliminate the most common cause of home damage.

What's R-Value?

R-value is a measure of the resistance to heat flow, a way of indicating insulation's ability to stop heat from moving through it. The higher the number, the better. Insulation is labeled by total R-value. Two factors determine that number: the thickness of the insulation and the insulating ability of the material. The fiberglass batts shown here, for example, are all the same thickness but differ in R-value because of their different densities. The #1 thing you can upgrade in your home is always the insulation. While it does wonders on lowering your energy usage it is also a key selling feature if and when that time comes

Make a homeowner’s journal

Buy a ring binder and keep insurance papers, repair receipts and all other paperwork pertaining to the house in it. Storing all your house information in one handy place makes life easier for the homeowner and can be a sales “plus” when selling the house later.

A Few Inexpensive Ways to Theft-Proof Your Home

Home safety starts with common sense. Check out these inexpensive ways to make your home more burglar-resistant without spending a fortune.

1. Reinforce Your Entry Door Strike Plate---Reinforcing your door's weak spot, the jamb, with a heavy-duty strike plate and extra-long screws gives it the added strength needed to withstand a burglar trying to kick in your door. If your dead bolt was installed within the last 10 years, it's probably already reinforced. To check, simply remove the strike plate. If it's heavy steel with at least 3-in. screws or has a heavy reinforcing plate, you can rest easy. If not, buy strike plate-reinforcing hardware.

To install, remove the old strike plate, then hold the new one in place and deeply score around it. Chisel out space for the new plate, then mount it by driving 3-in. screws through pre-drilled holes.

2. Secure Patio Doors---Patio door locks are easy to pick. Placing a heavy-duty stick in the door track will bar the door closed, but it looks crude and it's inconvenient to remove every time you want to open the door. Fortunately, there's a better way to get the security you need.

Andersen Corp.'s auxiliary foot lock (andersenwindows.com) fastens along the bottom of the door and has a bolt that fits into a grommet to hold the door secure. A similar lock, the Door Guardian (thedoorguardian.com) attaches at the top of the door. Both locks allow the door to open 3 in. without compromising security. Installation takes about 10 minutes. Screw the bracket containing the pin to the door, then drill holes and insert grommets in the track for the pin to slide into.

3. Add Inexpensive Door and Window Alarms---Keeping doors and windows locked is your first line of defense. Make wireless alarms your second. Burglars hate noises, so even a small alarm usually sends them running. The alarms are available at home centers. Or check out Intermatic or Door and Window Alarms. The alarms don't provide the same security as pro-installed monitored systems since the wireless devices are activated by doors or windows opening (not glass breaking). Use the alarms for doors and windows in "hidden" areas of the house where you don't normally gather and that are often dark.

Attach the alarm to the door or window (with a screw or double-sided tape) alongside the magnetic contact strip (they don't have to be touching, but within 1/2 in.). When the door or window opens, breaking magnetic contact, the alarm shrieks (these little units have a piercing alarm). The door alarm has a delay feature, giving you time to set the alarm and leave, then open the door and deactivate the unit when you come home, without setting it off. The window unit has an on/off switch. The alarms will work on any door or window, and the batteries last two to three years.

4. Put Motion Detector Lighting Anywhere--- Put motion detector lighting anywhere. Motion detector lights are a proven crime deterrent, and standard hard-wired models cost as little as $15. If running a power supply would be difficult, buy ones that run on solar power. The downside is the cost. A Heath Zenith model shown here (the SL-7001) costs $80 (heath-zenith.com).

Tips on Getting your AC ready for a Florida Summer

Right now you might be enjoying low utility bills, especially with the cooler temps we have been enjoying.  But the “I can’t believe it’s this hot!” summer days are coming, and soon you’ll be blaring the air conditioning around the clock trying to stay comfortable. That could cost you a lot if your AC isn’t ready.

Here are some helpful tips to get you rolling;

1. Change the filters

Replace the filters. It’s probably the easiest AC maintenance you can do, and many people aren’t doing it often enough. The filters should be replaced once a month to keep your AC running smoothly.

For central air systems, the filter is usually located behind a metal panel on the face of the blower unit. Unscrew the metal panel, remove the old filter, and install the new one.

For window units, the filter is located on the face of the unit behind a metal or plastic panel. Many window units come with a permanent filter. If you have one, take the filter out and gently clean it with a combination of white vinegar and water. Allow the filter to air dry before you put it back in.

2. Clean the condensation lines

The pipe that carries condensation away from your air conditioner can get clogged. If the pipe becomes clogged it could back up into the air conditioner (or into your house) and you’ll have a messy problem and a big repair bill. To combat this, locate where the pipe drains out and check to make sure it’s draining properly. If not, use an algaecide to clean the pipe. Algaecide is primarily used to remove algae. You can find it at pool supply stores.

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3. Install a programmable thermostat

If you don’t already have one, the California Energy Commission says you can save up to $100 a year by installing a setback thermostat. Fortunately, they’re pretty easy to install yourself and require only a couple of tools. You can get written installation instructions at Lowe’s or see an installation video from Home Depot.

4. Clean the coils on the outside unit

During winter your AC’s outside unit has been collecting dust, mud and other debris, especially if you don’t use a cover. All of that gunk clogs up the unit, causing your AC to run sluggishly. For lightly soiled units, disconnect the power and spray down the outside of the unit with a garden hose. For heavily soiled units, buy a commercial air-conditioner cleaner (available at hardware stores).

5. Clean the fins

Cleaning the fins on the outside unit will help your AC run better. To clean the fins, use a soft brush such as a toothbrush or small car cleaning brush. Gently run the brush across each fin, being careful not to bend the thin metal.

6. Check concrete slab

After your outside unit is clean, use a level to make sure the concrete slab is level. If it’s not, the unit will have to work harder to keep your house cool. If the slab isn’t level, pry it up with a board and add gravel underneath in small amounts until it is. Remove the board when you’re done.

7. Remove debris from outside unit

Plants, leaves, high grass and debris located close to your outside unit can reduce your AC’s performance. Before you start running your AC, cut the grass, clean out any debris, and consider removing plants that block the unit.

During the summer, check the unit for debris at least once a month.

8. Check ductwork for leaks

According to the University of Florida, you can save 10 percent to 20 percent on your heating and cooling bills by sealing leaky ducts. To check for leaking ducts, look for disconnected joints, separated pieces and small holes. If you find leaks, seal them with tape carrying an Underwriters Laboratories logo. Fabric and rubber-backed tapes break down quicker.

9. Clean the evaporator

Some AC units have an accessible evaporator located above the furnace. To tell the difference, look above the furnace for either a plenum wrapped in foil or one covered by a metal box. If you see a metal box, your evaporator isn’t accessible. If you see foil, your evaporator is accessible and you can clean it.

To do so, gently remove the foil-covered insulation. Underneath you’ll see several small screws holding a plate in place. Remove the screws and the plate. What’s left is your evaporator. Clean the front and back of the evaporator with a wire brush. Screw the plate back into place and reinstall the plenum.

Once you’ve got your AC summer-ready, check out these other tips to keep your utility bills down this summer: