Winter is literally upon us and the weather in many parts of the country is keeping folks indoors. What a great time to invest in a home improvement project!
However, despite the increased value and enjoyment it can bring to your home, cleaning up and removing all the debris can be hard in winter. But you have options.
The State of Real Estate in 2022
The last year or so has been not only unique in regards to the impact of COVID-19, but also because of the often record-setting home sales and robust housing market.
Tens of thousands of homeowners sold their houses for unprecedented prices, enabling many to relocate and purchase new homes with smaller and often no mortgages. All this despite all the restrictions and interference of an ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Or, as Fortune magazine put it,
A perfect storm. That's the best way to describe the red-hot housing market we've seen from coast-to-coast during the pandemic. It was spurred by a combination of recession-induced low mortgage rates, remote work allowing buyers to sprawl further away from their workplace, and a demographic wave of first-time millennial homebuyers entering into the market. Of course, years of under-building means there simply aren't enough homes available to meet this demand. Cue record price growth.
So, a fair question to ask is, what's the forecast for 2022 and how can I improve my home's resale value now?
Well, as for the forecast, it seems there is no consensus among the leading industry forecast models. All of them predict a continuing increase in average home prices, while a few predict substantial increases much like we saw this year.
Regardless of how much the market grows - or doesn't grow - there are certain improvements that homeowners can make to their property that will both add resale value and increase the "sellability" of their home.
In other words, some improvements may not bring a significant ROI per se, but they can tip the scales for prospective buyers.
The Best Indoor Home Improvement Ideas for 2022
So, what kind of indoor improvements should you consider this winter while you wait for the traditional spring real estate season to begin warming up?
Here's a short list of some of the top ideas that have been predicted to be big in 2022.
Well Outfitted Mudrooms
For those homeowners who like to renovate and don't have a mudroom yet, consider converting an underutilized space, such as part of your garage or laundry room.
These rooms are also becoming quite popular to use as multi-purpose areas:
- Drop-off areas for deliveries
- Pet washing stations with an oversized sink
- Additional storage for each family member
- Laundry equipment area with shelves and counters
- Charging station for tech gear and tools
Consider waterproof, easy-to-clean vinyl flooring and recessed LED lights.
Additional Window, Door, and Wall Glazing
Another growing trend among homeowners is creating a sense of being outdoors even when inside. This can be accomplished, in part, by changing out windows and doors, and even an entire wall to fit larger glass options.
Window manufacturer Milgard, for example, suggests,
A narrow window used over the top of a door (or another window) is called a transom. Consider using it in repetition for a window wall approach. Also, adding a half (or full) circle window over the top of a door or window is a clever way to increase natural light and create an elegant look at the same time.
In kitchens, consider installing windows as high as possible and down to the top of a countertop or, in rooms without countertops, close to the floor.
Adding a Home Office
Of course, now days thanks to COVID, this is not so novel nor unique. However, many older homes do not have a dedicated space designed to function as an office space.
For a perfect home office, Residence Style notes,
Consider choosing a previously unused space, such as a nook in the house or an abandoned closet, and measure it to assess what desk size you will need and whether you have space for extra seating. For a great home office, consider an accent wall, natural light, soft and warm colors, and wire organizers.
If you are low on space but still want to dedicate a spot for your books, consider a built-in bookshelf using solid wood or hardwood. You may even add a few cherished statement pieces on some of the shelves to add character and personalization to your home workstation.
Bathroom Upgrade
It's beginning to like 2022 may be the Year of the Luxury Bathroom. However, designers and others warn against going overboard or over-personalizing any upgrades. However, bathroom remodels rank in the top three improvements for the best ROI.
According to one contractor's website,
A common misconception about the bathroom is that it’s just a room for showering, taking care of business, and getting ready. The truth is that the bathroom can be an extension of your living space with some simple upgrades.
An updated, well-decorated bathroom will not only make your home more livable but also add value to the property while you’re at it! While you might think this upgrade would cost a fortune, there are many ways to do so on any budget. From adding new fixtures to updating outdated fixtures or painting walls, these minor changes have huge effects on the overall look and feel of the space.
Install a Smart HVAC System
Okay, so it's not as "sexy" or fun as a bathroom remodel or a home office project, but, depending on where you live, it may be a high-return investment to install a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC, system.
If you live in a part of the country with extreme weather climates, or simply want automate your existing heating and cooling system, this upgrade can reduce your energy bills and add value to your home for the next 10 to 20 years.
For most homeowners, however, it's usually best to hire an HVAC contractor for a new install. But if you are only looking to add a new, smart thermostat system, or even a new air conditioning unit, these are projects that are within the scope of many homeowner's skill sets.
The bottom line here is that installing or upgrading an HVAC system will increase your comfort at home and can increase the value of your house.
We are Your Local Choice for Home Improvement Debris Removal
One major aspect of any home improvement project, whether it's indoor or outside of your home, is the need to remove and dispose of all the construction debris and waste materials. Someone has to pick up, load, and haul away all the junk.
And the best option is to outsource that job to someone else!
Once you decide to hire someone to come and haul away all the trash, junk, and debris from your winter home improvement or remodeling project, you need to figure out which firm is the right one for the job.
Of course, you can always find some guy with a truck willing to do the job for you, but choosing that alternative may end up costing you more than you hoped to save.
That's another reason why Junk King really is the junk removal firm of choice.
Junk King provides an efficient, safe and eco-friendly waste disposal service so you don’t need to worry about the pick up or disposal of all your junk when you're upgrading your home for sale.
Whether you need our services several times during your remodeling or renovation project, or just once after it is complete, our hauling professionals will ensure that the debris is out of your way so that you can get on with the job.
Our teams specialize in residential trash and junk removal. We can be at your home in mere minutes, so call us today! And our crews are fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of your debris and other unwanted items in a professional and courteous fashion.
One of the best things about hiring Junk King is that we recycle a much of the material we pick-up. This is proof of our commitment to being an eco-friendly removal service.
So, ready to clear out your home improvement debris? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Make an appointment today online or just give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK (5865).