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Home Improvements That Increase Home Value

When granite countertops or shiny, stainless steel appliances beckon homeowners from the display areas of home improvement stores, it’s tempting to gear remodeling thoughts toward the items that will add flair and decorative appeal to a home. Even though most improvements add some measure of value, deciding which are the best investments can be difficult.

Return on investment, often referred to as “ROI,” varies depending on the project. Frequently, the projects that seem like the best investments don’t bring the greatest rate of return, while those that seem like smaller projects bring substantial returns. Real estate professionals routinely weigh in with their expert advice, and homeowners can couple that advice with Remodeling magazine’s annual “Cost vs. Value Index” to reap the greatest financial impact from their renovations.

The following were some of the projects that garnered the greatest ROI in 2016.

• Open the door to improvement. Region by region across the United States, installation of a new steel door on the front of a home can have a large impact on the resale value of a property. The ROI ranges from 123 percent at the highest, to 86 percent at the lowest — which is still a considerable investment return for such a simple project. Match the door’s style with the style of the house for the best value.

• Turn up the kitchen heat. An attractive kitchen can encourage buyers to overlook some of a home’s less attractive components. In the kitchen, replacement countertops, wall color changes, new cabinetry and flooring offer the biggest ROI.

• Dreaming of a new bedroom. Remodeling magazine also points to creating an attic bedroom to increase home value. The ROI of an attic remodel that adheres to code can garner an 83 percent ROI.

• Home maintenance projects. There’s little good to improving the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a home if there are existing structural or maintenance issues, warn experts. Siding replacement, HVAC system repair or replacement, a new roof, and basement dampness prevention solutions can be smarter investments before other flashy remodels. Many buyers have a strict budget for a house, and those buyers may be more likely to buy a house with little or no maintenance issues. Such buyers will then upgrade the kitchen or baths themselves, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

• Worthy window replacement. Angie’s List, a home services review and referral resource, has found that the average ROI of new windows is 77 percent. The cost of installation and energy savings tend to offset at around the 10-year point.

If remodeling is on the horizon, homeowners should give strong consideration to ROI before choosing a project.

Snow on the Roof Can Be Troublesome

A snow-covered landscape can be a picturesque sight. However, a roof covered in snow is something no homeowner can afford to marvel at. That’s because accumulating snow and ice very well could push a roof to its breaking point, even if the roof was sound before the winter arrived.

According to The University of Arkansas division of Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service, the water content of snow can range from 3 percent for very dry snow to 33 percent for wet, heavy snow. A roof may only be able to support 12 inches of wet, heavy snow before it is pushed to its breaking point. Snow can be quite heavy, weighing around 60 pounds per cubic foot. When heavy snow arrives, homeowners should do their best to safely clear their roofs of snow.

The threat of snow causing a roof to collapse has many homeowners floundering. While having snow build up on the top of a house is dangerous, so, too is climbing up on a slippery roof to push off the snow. As winter approaches, many emergency officials urge people to clear their roofs and decks to minimize structural collapse. But how does one do it safely?

Steep-pitched roofs tend to be the easiest to deal with snow and ice problems because a snow rake is usually effective. A snow rake is just what it sounds like. It is a metal device on a telescoping pole that can be extended to drag the snow off of the roof.

Homeowners may need to use extension ladders to reach taller parts of the roof. A second person can remain below to steady the ladder and ensure it doesn’t tip over on a slick surface.

It is not adviseable to climb up on the roof directly and shovel the snow off. The added weight of a person may be all that’s needed to cause a roof to collapse, potentially resulting in grave injury and considerable roof damage. A snow-covered roof also can be slippery, which could result in a person falling off the roof. Anyone who does not feel secure removing snow from the roof can hire a professional service to do so. Just be sure the service is properly licensed and insured.

In addition to removing the snow from the roof, here are some winter weather home care tips.

• Clean the gutters to remove any debris so that gutters will not become blocked and form ice dams on the roof. In addition, keep gutters and drains free of ice and snow.

• Add insulation to attic floors to prevent heat from the home escaping to the roof and causing ice dams that freeze when snow melts. In addition, make sure the attic is well ventilated so that the temperature inside will remain consistent with outdoors, further preventing snow melt.

• Melted roof snow can leak into homes or pool around foundations, causing rot and other problems. Keep an eye open for any leaks.

• If you live in an area prone to heavy snowfall, a metal roof may be a good investment. The slippery roof causes snow and ice to slide off. Special features at the end of a metal roof break up the snow before it reaches the ground, preventing large, heavy piles of snow from causing injury when falling to the ground.

What to Look for During Roof Inspections

Cold weather can be tough on a home, and perhaps no part of a home is more vulnerable to harsh winter weather than its roof.

Fallen snow can equate to several pounds of pressure placed on a residential roof. Roofs do not often collapse under heavy snowfall. But adverse winter weather conditions can compromise roofs in other ways. Water leakage and damage to the roof’s interior are just two of the potentially problematic issues that can arise when roofs are battered by cold, blustery weather. That’s why many home improvement specialists advise homeowners to conduct roof inspections prior to the start of winter.

Many homeowners can conduct their own cursory roof inspections, but they may not know exactly what to look for. The National Roofing Contractors Association says that there are certain key areas to inspect that may reveal some telltale signs of roof damage.

· Curled, cracked or missing shingles may prove troublesome. Inclement weather can test the strength of even the most durable roofs. Even though many roofs are designed to last up to 30 years, some may need to be replaced early, particularly when they have been exposed to harsh weather over a period of years. Individual shingles can be replaced as spot treatments, but if the damage is widespread, a new roof may be necessary.

· Attic leaks or water elsewhere might signal issues with the roof. Figure out if water inside the home is coming from the roof. Water stains do not always indicate problems with the roofing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

· Look for protective granules wearing off. If gutters are filled with the sandy granular material that coats roofing shingles, that may be a sign of an aging or damaged roof.

· Inspect flashing. Professional roofers can recognize properly installed flashing, the material that connects the roof to other parts of the house that adjoin the roof, like skylights or a chimneys. Poorly installed flashing can cause leaks. Stains that appear below chimneys or near attic windows may indicate new flashing, and not new shingles, is needed.

· Gutters and downspouts should be in good condition. A roof is the sum of its parts, and that includes downspouts and gutters. If the gutters are clogged or damaged, they cannot direct water away from the house properly. Snow, leaves and other debris needs to be cleared from gutters to help them function at optimal capacity.

· Animals and insects can cause damage, too. It’s not just poor weather that homeowners need to consider with regard to roof damage. Boring insects and animals may cause problems with roofs as well. A roof inspection may shed light on potential pest problems. Holes or nesting materials may indicate that an animal or animals are using the attic as a shelter from the elements.

Get to the root of issues with your home’s roof before they become bigger problems once winter arrives. A thorough inspection can reveal problems that may prove costly if ignored.