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Top 10 Home Improvements
EXPECTED READ TIME: 4 MINUTES
July 16, 2021
It can be frustrating to look around your home and find that it suddenly seems out of date and a little stale. If you're thinking about making some home improvements, you may be intimidated by the process and the amount of money you'll spend. The good news is that many of the most popular home improvements offer a range of possibilities and levels of affordability. That may mean that you can significantly improve the look and feel of your home without spending a fortune.
Our list of top home improvements offers a range of ideas whether you are a weekend warrior, a casual DIYer, or simply want to outsource the whole project. Some are designed with curb appeal in mind, while others are designed to make your everyday life a little easier. All of them are designed to add to your home's equity and resale value while making your home more attractive and pleasant in the short term as well.
1. Lawn and Landscaping
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home's curb appeal is by cutting the grass and clearing overgrown plants. Install a flower bed or plant flowers in pots flanking the front entrance. Planting a new tree is not only good for the environment. It can change your home's whole appearance while providing improved climate control and insulation.
2. Exterior Doors
New exterior doors offer an instant update, making your home look more beautiful while also making it more secure. You'll find a variety of exterior doors to fit every budget, from steel to fiberglass to wood. Want to save money and still improve the home's look? Paint exterior doors and switch outdoor hardware and street numbers.
3. Kitchen Upgrades
Kitchen improvements give you a great bang for your home improvement buck, not only because they increase resale value but because they improve the way your home functions day to day. Not sure whether you're ready for a full-scale remodel? Consider simple changes like new upgraded countertops, refaced cabinets, a new appliance suite, and new sink hardware.
4. Bathroom Upgrades
Bathroom upgrades can make all the difference in your home's resale value and your own enjoyment of the space. Add new tile work and flooring plus new fixtures and finishes to create a spa-like experience. Want to go further? Talk to your contractor about rethinking your space allocation to increase the size of your owner's suite bath.
5. Updated Flooring
If you want to instantly update your home's look and feel, consider updated flooring throughout. Trade dingy carpet for hardwood floors or wood laminate. Explore water-resistant flooring for homes with pools or for high-traffic areas.
6. Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor improvements aren't limited to the lawn. More and more homeowners are looking to their outdoor spaces as true additional living areas. Consider an outdoor kitchen and dining area for warm-weather cooking. Explore the possibilities of outdoor living spaces using built-in fire pits and weather-safe televisions and speaker systems.
7. Home Offices
If you're working from home, you may be looking for dedicated office space that works for you. Think beyond a spare bedroom or finished basement space when designing your home office. Consider a flex space on the main level that can do double duty as a den or study. Add built-in cabinetry for storage and upgraded internet infrastructure for better connectivity.
8. Smart Home Updates
Consider a smart home makeover with a fully integrated system encompassing smart entrance features, lighting, home security, and home entertainment systems. To get the most out of your system, ensure that it is updated consistently and that you program it for maximum personalization.
9. Home Additions
If you need more space for a growing family or multi-generational living, consider adding additional square footage to your existing home. If you have a large lot, you may be able to build out, but if you have a single-story home, you may choose to build up, adding a second floor. If you'd like more privacy, consider an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) to provide a separate home office or separate living space for elderly relatives or adult children.
10. Fixtures and Finishes
Want to update the look of your home without major structural changes? It may be as simple as updating your fixtures and finishes. Repaint the interior and exterior, switch out light fixtures and fans, switch plates, and outlets. Update faucets, window coverings, and replace other outdated design elements throughout the home.
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Home Buying Steps
Mortgage Products
Disclosures
1Conventional Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.0 discount point, which equals 1.0 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $400,000; loan-to-value ratio of 75%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
2FHA Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.0 discount point, which equals 1.0 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $400,000; loan-to-value ratio of 96.5%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
3VA Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.125 discount point, which equals 1.125 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $450,000; loan-to-value ratio of 95%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of $995.
4Jumbo Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.25 discount point, which equals 1.25 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, non-conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $1,009,000; loan-to-value ratio of 70%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
Fixed Rate Advance Lock-In You may lock in an Annual Percentage Rate for Advances during the Advance Period. During your Advance Period, you may choose to have three separate Fixed Rate Advances locked in at any one time, with a maximum of two new Fixed Rate Advances per calendar year. Each Fixed Rate Advance must equal or exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and you may not request a Fixed Rate Advance that would cause the amount you owe to exceed your Credit Limit. The only term option for your Fixed Rate Advance is 240 months (“Fixed Rate Advance Term”). However, the term of your Fixed Rate Advance cannot exceed your Repayment Period.
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