With most of us spending more time at home, many people are opting to make home improvements they’ve previously put on the back burner.

Don’t like that carpet? Rip it out! Hate the beige walls? Paint them whatever color you want. Don’t like the wall between the living room and kitchen? Tear it down (as long as it’s not load-bearing!).

But does it make financial sense to do them now? Will these improvements add value to your home? We know that paying for these projects is a huge consideration, but we’ve got affordable financing solutions for you.

Some Questions to Consider

Before you ask what home improvements add value to your home, it’s smart to sit down and think about questions that will help you personalize your home to truly meet your needs.

How long do I plan to keep my home?

If the answer is 1-3 years, you may want to consider the next few questions BEFORE you start your home improvement and remodeling projects:

• Will these home improvements be attractive to prospective buyers?
• Will these updates increase the equity in my home?

If you plan on staying in your home for more than 3 years, the questions to consider are a little different:

• What do I keep wishing my home had?
• What do I value most in my home?
• What makes me feel relaxed in my home?
• What inspires me and makes me feel happy?
• Do these renovations meet my personal needs?

If you’re planning on selling soon, it’s a no-brainer to focus on the projects that will increase your home’s value. Even if you’re not planning on selling in the near future, it’s good to know what projects add the most value to your home. Talk to your local realtor to find out what the hottest trends are for home improvements and which projects add value. Here are some projects for you to consider:

Minor Kitchen Remodel

For this project, keep the cabinet boxes, but you can replace or paint the cabinet and drawer fronts and replace your old hardware with on-trend bronze or brushed nickel. Buy new energy-efficient appliances to not only save energy and money (hello lower utility bills!), but to give your kitchen that Wow factor! Replace outdated or damaged countertops with good-looking and durable quartz, or step up the style factor with timeless marble to make the space more bright and inviting. Installing a mid-priced sink and new faucet, as well as new resilient flooring, like waterproof vinyl plank flooring, stained concrete or porcelain tiles will really refresh the look of your kitchen.

Bathroom Remodel

If you don’t love your bathroom, it’s time for an upgrade! A new vanity and a sink complete with fixtures you love will completely change the look of the room. A new stylish mirror and modern lighting elevates a bathroom design for not much money. If you’re in the market for a bigger upgrade, consider surrounding the shower with tile and installing a frameless shower door. Want to make your master bath extra special? Consider a luxurious freestanding tub if you have space and extra money in your budget. If the floor has seen better days, there are literally hundreds of tile options ranging in style and price for everyone’s budget.

Backyard Patio/Outdoor Living Space

Transforming your backyard into a true extension of your home’s living space is a relatively easy way to add usable square footage and increase enjoyment of your home. Living in Southern California, homeowners can benefit from better value in backyard upgrades since outdoor living spaces can be enjoyed, for the most part, year-round. Upgrade your outdoor living space with additions like pavers, a new pergola, a fire pit and an outdoor kitchen. You can also add elegant solar lighting that can save you money and energy. Have a pool? Refinish it and add new patio furniture for a complete refresh. Making outdoor upgrades is a scalable project, meaning you can do as little or as much as your budget allows and continue enhancing the space over time.

Paint

Paint is the simplest way to make the largest impact on the way your home looks on the exterior and interior, and it’s one of the least expensive changes you can make. Whether your reason for painting is to add curb appeal for prospective buyers or simply to brighten up the interior for yourself, it's an easy renovation that is sure to add value. Many people opt for painting their home neutral colors to give it a timeless look, while others use colors to create a feel of relaxation and calm or to give the room energy. (Neutral colors are highly recommended if you’ll be selling your home soon.)

Flooring

If you don’t love your flooring, it can be hard to feel comfortable in your home. Hardwood floors are an upgrade that always looks fantastic and is great for resale. Luxury vinyl tile is a popular option, as is wood-look porcelain tile. Both are also durable options, especially if you have pets or a swimming pool as they’re nearly indestructible and waterproof.

If you have small children, you may want to consider upgrading the carpet instead to keep little crawlers and walkers comfortable and safe. If you can, keep carpets to bedrooms only.

Garage Door Replacement

Installing a new garage door can increase your home’s curb appeal, keep your home safe, and even increase your home’s energy efficiency.

When you pick out a new door, consider how much insulation you want, whether or not you want windows and hardware on the door, and what style and materials you like. A garage door should match the home’s architectural style as well as the windows, doors, and other exterior details of the home.

Affordable Financing

With rates at historic lows, now is a great time to take out a Home Equity Line of Credit to leverage your home’s equity for renovations. With a low fixed intro rate and interest-only payments for the first 10 years, you will enjoy low monthly payments! Plus, you can borrow up to 100% of your home's equity without any upfront, application, or annual fees.

Want to make some energy-efficient updates but don’t want to tap into your home’s equity? Our Home Energy Loans offer low rates and no equity required for new appliances, windows and doors, and more!

No matter what remodeling projects you decide to take on, MCCU has loan options to help you bring your vision to life!

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