8 Great Home Renovation Tips | Journey Home Lending

Renovating a home, whether you’re fixing it up to make it more livable or to increase its value for selling it, can be a big project. Or more often, a series of big projects, each with its own challenges.

It helps to come into it all with a leg-up, some insider knowledge that’s likely to help you be successful in all that work. Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled some great reno tips in one place so you have that head-start.

  1. Measure twice, cut once. The old adage has hung around for so long because it’s good advice. Inaccurate measurements can throw off a whole project. If a mistake on those numbers costs you materials in addition to time, you could be out a significant amount of money over a little glitch. In the worst-case scenario, you could cause serious, lasting damage.

  2. Don’t forget the lighting. Getting the perfect lighting doesn’t just highlight your work, it also sets the entire scene. When you’re considering a renovation of an entire room, think of how the fixtures fit into that plan and how lighting can enhance the space. Will you need spots or accent lights? Would dimmable can lights be a mood-setting choice? Answer the lighting question as you make your plans.

  3. Go timeless. Don’t go too big on today’s trends unless you want to commit to redoing the look every few years. It’s fine to incorporate popular colors or materials, but the cautionary lesson here is the peach bathrooms and avocado kitchens of the 1970s that are now the stuff of jokes and nightmares.

  4. Set a timeline and a budget. Not having clear expectations for how long the work will take and what it will cost can set you up for never-ending work and endless charges. Having those guidelines also equips you to make choices on how big you go, whether you get the premium finishes, and a host of other things.

  5. Focus on the bathroom and kitchen for resale. If you’re trying to boost your home’s resale value, experts suggest focusing on those two rooms. They tend to be the ones potential buyers pay the most attention to and the ones that they’re willing to pay more for when they’re done well.

  6. Work with pros. From designers to decorators to builders, bringing in the experts is a great idea. They have the expertise to make plans that can make your dreams reality and to ensure all the work is done well, to code and safely.

  7. Be prepared for the unexpected. You may not be able to see it coming, but you can least know in advance some things you never imagined will happen. Be ready for delays, overruns and other ways surprises hamper your plans.

  8. Make the most of your space. Maximizing the space in your home doesn’t have to mean expanding it. Instead, look for ways to be more efficient with the room you have. From hidden storage to built-ins, there are some great ways to make more of the same amount.

Let Journey Home Lending help you build a mortgage strategy that will clear the way to your new home. You are our top priority and caring for your financial well-being is our primary focus.