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August 29, 2024

Transform Your Space: DIY Projects to Boost Home Value

Boost Your Home Value: 5 Easy DIY Projects

If you're thinking about selling your home or just want to increase its value, DIY projects can be a great way to make improvements without breaking the bank. For homeowners in South Nashua and across Southern New Hampshire, these simple yet effective projects can enhance your property’s appeal and make it stand out. Let’s dive into five fantastic DIY ideas to boost your home value!

1. Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, and your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see. Improving your curb appeal can significantly boost your home’s value and attractiveness. Here’s how you can give your home’s exterior a fresh look:

Paint Your Front Door
A new coat of paint on your front door can instantly enhance your home's curb appeal. Choose a bold, welcoming color that complements the overall look of your home. For South Nashua homes, a vibrant front door can make your property stand out in a competitive market.

Add New House Numbers
Updating your house numbers is a simple but effective way to improve your curb appeal. Opt for modern and stylish numbers that are easy to read and match the aesthetic of your home. This small change can make a big impact.

Landscaping Touch-ups
A well-maintained yard can make a great first impression. Trim overgrown bushes, plant colorful flowers, and refresh your mulch. For South Nashua houses for sale, a neatly landscaped yard can attract more buyers and add to your home’s charm.

Power Wash Your Exterior
Dirt and grime can dull the look of your home. Use a power washer to clean your siding, driveway, and walkways. This will brighten up your property and give it a well-cared-for appearance.

2. Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and making upgrades here can have a big impact. You don’t need to invest in new cabinets to give your kitchen a fresh look. Here’s how you can update your cabinets on a budget:

Paint or Stain Cabinets
A fresh coat of paint or a new stain can transform old cabinets. Choose a color that complements your kitchen’s style and creates a cohesive look. This simple update can make your kitchen look more modern and appealing.

Replace Hardware
Updating cabinet hardware is a quick and cost-effective way to enhance your kitchen. Opt for sleek, contemporary handles and knobs that match the style of your cabinets. This small change can make a noticeable difference.

Add New Shelving
If you have empty wall space in your kitchen, consider adding open shelves. They provide extra storage and can be a great place to display decorative items or stylish kitchenware. For homes in South Nashua, this can make your kitchen feel more functional and inviting.

Install Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting adds warmth and functionality to your kitchen. It’s an easy upgrade that enhances the space’s usability and appeal, making it more inviting for potential buyers.

3. Create a Home Office Space

With more people working from home, having a dedicated office space is increasingly valuable. Here’s how you can create a functional and attractive home office:

Repurpose a Spare Room
If you have a spare bedroom or extra room, consider turning it into a home office. Add a desk, comfortable chair, and some shelving to create a productive workspace. For South Nashua houses, a well-designed office space can be a major selling point.

Use a Closet
Convert a closet into a mini office. Install shelves and a small desk to create a compact, organized workspace that doesn’t take up much room. This is a great option for homes with limited space.

Add Office Features
Include essential office items like a good desk lamp, ergonomic chair, and adequate storage. Make the space comfortable and functional to boost productivity.

Decorate Thoughtfully
Choose calming colors and add personal touches like artwork or plants. A well-decorated office can make working from home more enjoyable and effective.

4. Revamp Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are another key area where small updates can make a significant difference. Here are some DIY projects to enhance your bathroom’s appeal:

Replace Fixtures
Swapping out old faucets, towel bars, and showerheads for new, modern fixtures can refresh your bathroom’s look. Choose fixtures that match the style of your bathroom for a cohesive update.

Install a New Mirror
A new mirror can be a focal point in your bathroom. Choose a stylish frame or a sleek, contemporary design to enhance the space. For South Nashua homes, an updated mirror can add a touch of elegance.

Update Your Shower or Bath
Consider adding a new shower curtain, a stylish showerhead, or even some new tile accents. These updates can improve both the look and feel of your bathroom.

Add Storage Solutions
Install shelves or cabinets to increase storage. Extra storage can make your bathroom more functional and appealing, helping to attract potential buyers.

5. Finish Your Basement

A finished basement can add valuable living space and increase your home’s value. Here’s how to tackle this project:

Insulate and Drywall
Start by insulating the walls and adding drywall. This will make the space more comfortable and give it a polished look.

Add Flooring
Choose flooring that suits your needs, such as carpet for a cozy feel or laminate for durability. Make sure it’s suitable for basement conditions.

Create Functional Areas
Decide how you want to use the space. You could create a family room, playroom, or even a home gym. Adding functional areas will make the basement more appealing to potential buyers.

Include Lighting and Decor
Good lighting is essential in a basement. Add bright, energy-efficient lights and consider decorative touches to make the space inviting and enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

Boosting your home value doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With these five DIY projects, you can enhance your home’s appeal and increase its market value. Whether you’re exploring South Nashua houses or other Southern New Hampshire properties, these simple upgrades can make a big difference.

If you’re thinking about selling or just want to improve your home, consider tackling these projects. They’re effective ways to enhance your property’s look and functionality, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more tips on boosting your home’s value. We’re here to help you make the most of your property!

Ready to start boosting your home value? Check out our tips and get started on your DIY projects today. Contact us to explore South Nashua houses and other properties in Southern NH!

October 18, 2022

How to Make A Quick Sale: 10 Things to Do to Sell Your House Fast

When it comes to selling your Hudson home, cleaning up and fixing any broken or worn items will help you attain a higher value for your house. Take a look at these 10 things you can do to make your house more appealing before you sell.

  1. Power Wash
    The first impression is very important. Power wash the exterior of your house, garage, decks and walkways to make it look clean. The cleaner your house appears the more well maintained buyers will think it is. You can hire a company for a few hundred dollars or with a couple hours you can do it yourself.
  1. Paint
    Painting your house can take ten years off the look. A new fresh coat of paint can do wonders to spruce up the cleanliness of a room or especially the outside of your home. Make sure all the trim and doors look clean and maintained to tell buyers your home has been loved.
  1. Landscaping
    Take care of your lawn. Make sure to use the lawn mower and water your lawn before putting your home on the market so that the exterior of your home looks its best. Some weed whacking will also go a long way. Make sure to make the edges look pretty to match the rest of your lawn. You can hire a professional or take a few hours of your time. It will be worth the effort when you get the best price possible for your home.
  1. Gutters
    Clean the leaves and gunk out of the gutters. It is good for inspections and for possible water retention issues that can occur to your foundation when the gutters have already been maintained. If there is build up from a gutter causing a backup into your basement it could be mistaken as something more expensive. It also gives a clean look to the finish off the exterior.
  1. Steam Clean
    A clean carpet is vital for showings. People will wonder if it’s possible to get stains out and consider replacement instead of cleaning when they see stains. For a few hundred dollars you can have a company come and do it for you or you can rent a steam cleaner and invest a few hours to make your home look it’s best. If you have pets it’s especially important to try to rid your home of any additional odors or stains that might cause a buyer to rethink purchasing your house.
  1. Add Storage
    If you add storage to a room with a closet, as long as you’re on public sewer, it has the potential to be another bedroom. Buyers will look at it as extra storage or the potential for the additional room for a child, a spare bedroom, workout room or even a in-home office.
  1. Check the Roof & Attic
    Take a look at your attic and your roof before putting your home on the market. Sometimes you’ll find a small leak that can be repaired prior to listing instead of having to replace a whole roof if a buyer becomes concerned. Checking the attic is also a great thing to do because many times if you haven’t been up there in a long time there could be rodents or even mold growing up there to could potentially kill a deal or become more costly by not addressing it prior to the listing.
  1. Wash & Fix Windows
    Cracked and broken windows can easily be fixed by a glass repair company without having to replace every window in your home. However, if a buyer sees lots of damage to your windows it will get them thinking that all the windows need to be replaced when a smaller fix may be adequate. Washing the windows will do wonders for brightening up the space and look of the home as well.
  1. Declutter
    When you remove all the excess clutter it makes your home feel more inviting and spacious. Remove any excess things that you’re not using for the season and put them in Rubbermaid bins to put in the basement or garage. Put away all the extra photos and trinkets that make your home feel cluttered. While it may be nice to have mementos all of the house for your enjoyment it is distracting for buyers.
  1. Replace Your Filters
    Filters don’t cost too much and showing that you care for your HVAC systems goes a long way for a buyer. Seeing that you maintain all your system is an important step. It also keeps your systems running and working properly.

All of these projects could be done by yourself or easily enough done by a professional, as well. If you need a list of qualified professionals give us a call, we’d be honored to help.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a Hudson NH house for sale, give our agents a call and we can discuss your options. Call Harmony Real Estate at (603) 883-8840 for more information today! Visit our website www.Harmony-RE.com  for tips on buying a South Hudson house for sale. We would love to help you with all your home buying and selling goals. We are the agency in tune with your real estate needs!

November 27, 2017

8+ DIY ideas to sell your house for more money

When you are selling your South Nashua home for sale, some simple fixes can be very important to help reel in a buyer. The more appealing your home looks to the eyes, the more likely you will be to get a bite.

Here are a few ideas on how to stage your home when you are selling!

Bathroom

The bathroom is always a big seller for South Nashua buyers. Try to make it look as clean as possible! If the walls are dirty or moldy spray them with a mixture of one part bleach, and one part water. The mold will disappear! Be sure to wipe them down after, and apply a coat of semi-gloss paint to make the walls easier to clean.

Clean all that yucky grime off of your glass shower door. You can start by removing the door and cleaning it with a mixture of ten parts water, and one part muriatic acid. Scrub it, then reattach the door, this will have it sparkling like new in no time! Or better yet get rid of the door and just put up a shower curtain in it's place. This will give your South Nashua home for sale a more modern look.

If your tile is gross and needs to be replaced, don’t spend all your money redoing the bathroom, that would cost a fortune! Simply scrub the tile and then add a coat of sealer to make it more manageable next time.

Buyers like it when they can see every square foot of your bathroom. If you have a big vanity that takes up too much space, replace it with a pedestal sink and a mirror on the wall! Or if you need the storage just get a smaller sink with a few drawers. It will make your bathroom appear larger and will look perfect for your showings!

Kitchen & Dining Room

Nobody wants to eat food in a dirty kitchen, and especially not in a run down dining room. You should always make sure that your kitchen looks nice whether you are selling your South Nashua home or not. Instead of replacing old cabinets, sand them down and add a few nice coats of stain or paint to them. Before you know it they will look brand new, and this will be very appealing to a buyer.

Stainless steel appliances are a new trend that buyers love. Instead of buying a new dishwasher, microwave, or oven, take a trip to your local hardware store and purchase stainless steel stick on covers! They are easy to apply and they look fantastic. First, remove the front panels from the appliances you decide to cover. After that, apply a stainless steel stick on covering, and cut it to size. Your appliances will go from outdated to modern in no time at all!

Who wouldn’t want granite counter tops in the Granite State? They are absolutely gorgeous, and there is a way to get them so much cheaper rather than having to pay a boat load for them. (unless of course you prefer to fully replace them.) There are stick-ons for your countertops too! Visit your local hardware store and choose the one that will match your kitchen the best!

There is a way to make your hardwood floors look more dramatic, and it is so simple! First, find which boards are damaged, cut them out and replace them with new pieces. Use a sander and give the floor a good sanding. Then the last step is to stain the boards with a rich color, and there you go! Beautiful hardwood floors are always a plus with buyers!

Bedroom & Living Room

The living room is also very important to a South Nashua buyer. Typically that is where most people spend their time when they are at home. There is a way to make your hardwood floors look more dramatic, and it is so simple! First, find which boards are damaged, cut them out and replace them with new pieces. Use a sander and give the floor a good sanding. Then the last step is to stain the boards with a rich color, and there you go! Beautiful hardwood floors are a definite buyer plus!

Do you have a fireplace in your South Nashua home for sale? Is it brick or stone? Either way, I’m sure that a little update would help sell your South Nashua home for sale! If you have a stone fireplace wipe it down with a rag and water, and then use some stone polish to make it sparkle like new. If your fireplace is brick, use a rag to rub a thin coat of paint on the bricks. You don't want to cover the bricks completely with paint but give it a more dulled down look, and your fireplace will go from sticking out to standing out in just a few simple steps! Also be sure to replace your old fireplace screen, or just touch it up with a few coats of spray paint to match your room!

When you are selling your South Nashua home for sale, you should make sure that your master bedroom appeals to buyers. Get rid of features that seem too gender-specific, and paint the walls a neutral color. Choose bedding and accessories that match and pull the whole scheme together.

Buyers love built-in bookshelves. There are a lot of people who use bookshelves to store their clutter, but when you are selling you need to use every aspect of your home to the best of its ability. The trick with a bookshelf is to arrange neutral items in clusters, and be sure that none of your accessories stand out too much. This way you'll show off your beautiful built-in bookshelves, but not all your clutter or personal belongings.

Exterior

When you are selling your South Nashua home for sale the first thing a buyer will see is the exterior! Touch up the outside of your South Nashua home for sale by replacing the shutters, painting your house, or replacing any cracked siding. Also, add some color with flowers, be sure your lawn is mowed, your bushes are trimmed, and your walkway and driveway look good by cleaning them and giving them a new coat of tar when necessary. Adding perennial flowers, shrubs, small trees and plants may also help to spice up the outside of your South Nashua home for sale. You want it to look it beautiful for your showings as well as for buyers driving by your neighborhood. You never know when a potential buyer may pass by and fall in love with your South Nashua home for sale.

If are looking to buy or sell a home for sale in South Nashua give our qualified agents at Harmony Real Estate a call today at (603) 883-8840. We would love to help you with your home sale or purchase! Let Our Agents help you find your dream home.

Do you have a fireplace in your home? If so, is it brick, or stone? Either way, I’m sure that you could use some help fixing it up to sell your South Nashua home for sale! If you have a stone fireplace wipe it down with an old rag and some water, and then polish it with some stone polish to make it sparkle like new. If your fireplace is brick, use a rag to rub a thin coat of paint on the bricks. This won't cover the bricks completely with paint, and your fireplace will go from sticking out to standing out in just a few simple steps! Also be sure to replace your old fireplace screen, or just touch it up with a few coats of spray paint to match your room!
October 10, 2017

Effortless DIY Home Maintenance to Prepare Your House for Sale

Home maintenance can be scary at times! Thinking about fixing the problem, or the huge dent it will make in your bank account is even worse! Here are a few ways you can complete DIY home maintenance yourself without having to break the bank by hiring a professional.

Toilets

Water leaking from your toilet will not only cost money on your utility bill, but it can damage your bathroom floor as well! Adding food coloring to your toilet's water tank will help you figure out whether the toilet itself is leaking, or if it's something more. Be sure to use a color like red or blue so you don’t mistake the color on the toilet bowl for something else. If the water in your toilet bowl is the same color as the food coloring you used, then you have a leak.

If you find that your toilet is leaking from the tank to the bowl, the flapper needs to be replaced. To change your toilet flapper, first shut off the water supply to your toilet. Look behind your toilet and turn the water valve located directly behind it to shut the water off. Be sure to remove the lid of the tank, and flush the toilet to remove the water from the tank, then use a towel or a sponge to get any excess water remaining in the tank. Remove the flush chain from the lever, slide the old flapper up off the overflow tube, then slide the new flapper in place over the overflow tube. Don’t forget to reconnect the chain, and turn the water supply back on.

Faucets

The main reason why faucets leak is usually worn out washers. The washers inside of faucets handles are usually rubber, and they tend to wear or break. You can easily replace them by removing the leaky handle that controls the water flow to the spout, removing the worn out or broke washer, and placing a new one where the old one was. Be sure to turn off your main water supply so you don’t make a mess!

Washing Machine & Dryer

It is always important to check your washing machine's water supply hoses and pipes for leaks. It is also important to check your drain hoses for leaks as well. If you do find any leaks, or the end of your pipes start to rust, replace them immediately.

Also, be sure you check the snugness of the drain lines by using a wrench or a pair of pliers. If they are tightened properly, you won't be able to tighten them anymore. You should also replace plastic lines with stainless steel hoses to avoid leaks from happening. Washing machine leaks are the main cause of water damage in a home.

As for your dryer, be sure to remove lint and clean it regularly to prevent fires. Cleaning your lint screen will increase the life of the heating element. Also be sure to clean the lint screen with dish soap and water once a week to remove excess fabric softener residue.

Water Heater

There is nothing worse than turning on the warm water in your shower and feeling a burst of cold water spraying on you. Water heaters need maintenance to increase longevity and to reduce the possibility of damage just like other appliances do.

Most people don't realize that water has sediment in it, and when it settles it can damage the floor of your water heater. You should drain the water from your water heater at least once a year to clean the inside of the tank.

To drain your water heater, be sure to turn off the water supply and power to it. Then, connect a hose to the water heater and put the other end outside or in a sink. Usually a regular garden hose fits onto your water heater. Turn on all the hot water faucets in your home to open the drain valve to your water heater. When your finished, turn the water supply back on with the drain valve still open to remove any built up sediment at the bottom of the tank. Then close the drain valve and refill the tank. Don’t forget to turn the power and water back on!

Drafty Windows

Drafty windows are awful! They are the leading cause of a high fuel bill. Check the caulking that runs along your windows. If it's damaged or weathered remove whatever is left with a razor blade or a knife, and replace it with new caulk. For further insulation, you can add insulating window film against your glass to keep the drafts out. If you're replacing windows extra insulation around the frame is always a good idea.

Gutters

While gutters usually tend to go unnoticed, they are one of the most important aspects to keep up on your home. Gutters are designed to capture water and debris and take it away from your foundation. You can damage your home with gutters that are not properly maintained. To clean your gutters, remove debris manually as you wash the gutters with a garden hose. If you find any spots that are leaking, or parts of the gutter that are not properly affixed to your fascia boards be sure to replace or repair them right away. Another good option is to put gutter covers on so you don't need to clean out the debris all the time.

Roof

Be sure to regularly check your roof. Replace shingles that are missing, worn, or the that gravel has worn off of. The shingles protect your roof from weather, whether it be rain, snow, the hot summer sun or even the wind. Make sure you check around skylights and chimneys where there could be leaks and repair the flashing as necessary.

For more DIY home maintenance tips for your South Nashua house for sale give our agents at Harmony Real Estate a call at (603) 883-8840. Our agents would love to help you with some basic tips that help sell your home for top dollar.

Home maintenance can be scary at times, thinking of making your problem worse, or the huge dent it will make in your bank account! Here are a few ways you can maintain things yourself without having to break the bank by hiring a professional.


  • Toilets

Water leaking from your toilet will not only cost your money on your utility bill, but it may damage your bathroom floor as well! Adding food coloring to your toilet's water tank will help you figure out whether the toilet itself is leaking, or if it's something more. Be sure to use a color like red or blue so you don’t mistake the color is the toilet bowl as something else. If the water in your toilet bowl is the same as color as the food coloring you used, then you have a leak. If you find that your toilet is leaking from the tank to the bowl, the flapper needs to be replaced. To change your toilets flapper, first shut off the water supply to your toilet. Look behind your toilet and turn the water valve located directly behind it to shut the water off. Be sure to remove the lid of the tank, and flush the toilet to remove the water from the tank, then use a towel or a sponge to get any excess water remaining in the tank. Remove the flush chain from the lever, and then slide the old flapper up off the overflow tube, then slide the new flapper in place over the overflow tube! Don’t forget to reconnect the chain, and turn the water supply back on.


  • Faucets

The main reason why faucets leak is usually worn out washers. The washers inside of a faucets handles are usually rubber, and they tend to wear or break. You can easily replace them by removing the leaky handle that controls the water flow to the spout, removing the worn out or broke washer, and placing a new one where the old one was. Be sure to turn off your main water supply so you don’t make a mess!

  • Washing Machine & Dryer

It is always important to check your washing machine's water supply hoses and pipes for leaks. It is also important to check your drain hoses for leaks as well. If you do find any leaks, or the end of your pipes start to rust, replace them immediately. Also, be sure you check the snugness of the drain lines by using a wrench or a pair of pliers. If they are tightened properly, you won't be able to tighten them anymore. You should also replace plastic lines every three years to avoid leaks from happening. Washing machine leaks are the main cause of water damage in a home.

As for your dryer, be sure to remove the lint sheet and clean it regularly to prevent fires. Cleaning your lint screen will also increase the life of the heating element. Also be sure to clean the lint screen with dish soap and water once a week to remove excess fabric softener residue.


  • Water Heater

There is nothing worse than turning on the warm water in your shower and feeling the burst of cold come raining down on you. Water heaters need maintenance to increase longevity and to reduce the possibility of damage as many other appliances do. Most people dont realize that water has sediment in it, and when it settles it can damage the floor of your water heater. You should drain the water from your water heater at least once a year to clean the inside surface of the floor.


To drain your water heater, be sure to turn off the water supply and power to it. Then, connect a hose to the water heater and put the other end somewhere it wont damage anything, such as your driveway. Usually a typical garden hose fits a water heater perfectly. Turn on all the hot water faucets in your home to open the drain valve to you water heater. When your finished with that, turn the water supply back on with the drain valve still open to remove any built up sediment at the bottom of the tank, Then close the drain valve, refill the tank. Don’t forget to turn the power and water back on!

  • Drafty Windows

Drafty windows are the worst! They are the leading cause of running up your electric bill, whether you are using an air conditioner, or the heat to warm your home. Often check the caulk line that runs along your window. If it seems to be damaged or weathered remove whatever is left with a razor blade or a knife, and replace it with new caulk. For further insulation, you can add insulating window film against your glass to keep the drafts out.



  • Gutters

While gutters usually go unnoticed, they are one of the most important aspects to keep your home. Gutters are designed to capture water and debris and take them away from your foundation. Another main cause of water damage in a home is from gutters that are not properly maintianed. To clean you gutters you simply remove debri manually as you wash the gutters with a garden hose. If you find any spots that are leaking, or parts of the gutter that are not properly affixiated to your fascia boards be sure to replace or repair them right away.


  • Roof


Be sure to regualrrly check your roof, and replace any shingles that are missing, worn, or the that gravel has worm off of. The shingles protect your roof from any type of weather, whether it be rain, snow, or the hot summer sun. Make sure you check around any skylights or chimmneys where there could be a leak.