2024 is likely to be a challenging year for people searching for a new home. Low inventory and high interest rates may make it difficult to move, especially if you locked in a low interest rate. On the bright side, this makes 2024 a great chance to do some home remodel projects you’ve always wanted to do. Plus, this can make your home even more ready when the time is right to move.
Here are a few projects to consider, from easiest to hardest.
Paint Doors & Walls (Difficulty: Easy)
A new coat of paint can do wonders. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your home feel more like your dream home.
When painting rooms inside your house, try not to skimp on the quality of your paint. High-quality paint tends to last longer and look better. Additionally, choose the right finish for the right room. For example, you’ll likely want to avoid flat and matte finishes for walls in places like your kitchen.
If you paint your door, use an exterior paint. Decide whether you want your front door to be a showstopper or would rather have it blend into the home’s general exterior theme.
Replace Bathroom Fixtures & Faucets (Difficulty: Easy)
Over time, bathroom fixtures and faucets can get tarnished, worn, or simply go out of style. Replacing the fixtures and faucets is a pretty easy task with the right tools and a little time.
Most faucet hardware kits come with easy-to-follow instructions and require few, if any, tools to complete. Check out this video for an example of how easy it can be to replace your bathroom faucets.
Revamp Your Yards (Difficulty: Medium)
There are so many different ways to revamp your yard. Planting flowers along your walkway, growing a strong lawn, and xeriscaping are just a few great ideas for updating your front yard and backyard.
Before you go out and purchase plants, soil, and decorative elements, create a plan. You’ll want to ask yourself questions like:
- What kinds of plants will survive in my climate?
- How much time, effort, and money will it cost me to maintain my ideal yard?
- If digging is required, how quickly can the utility company be out to mark my electrical, gas, and sewer lines to avoid damaging them and hurting myself?
If you live in an HOA, you’ll likely need to double-check that the things you want to do are things you’re allowed to do, too.
Retile Your Shower (Difficulty: Challenging)
Retiling a shower is a big but fulfilling project. It can modernize your bathroom and add value to your home if done well.
It is indeed a project that you can do yourself, but it does require a lot of time and plumbing know-how. If you choose to retile a bathroom yourself, here are just a few things to consider:
- You may need to replace the shower pan, which often deteriorates over time.
- You may need to repair or replace behind-the-wall plumbing, which can require soldering.
- If your tile doesn’t come precut, you’ll need to rent or purchase a tile saw.
If you’d rather not try to retile your bathroom yourself, you can certainly hire someone to do it. The challenging aspect of hiring someone is that it can be costly.
Purchase or Renew Your 2-10 Home Service Plan (Difficulty: Super Easy!)
One of the easiest ways to give yourself peace of mind in 2024 is with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) Home Service Plan.
A 2-10 Home Service Plan protects your budget against unexpected breakdowns to systems and appliances caused by routine use. It also gives you access to local, trusted contractors who can help you diagnose and solve breakdowns, which provides peace of mind all year. Plus, when you purchase a 2-10 Home Service Plan, it stays with the house after you move, which can be a valuable selling tool!
Additionally, when you refer a friend to 2-10 and your friend purchases a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you can both receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card code 30 days after their purchase!
