Flush With Tax Return Cash? Spend It Wisely On These Five Home ...

Is your tax return burning a hole in your pocket? It might be time to tackle that home improvement project you?ve been postponing.

Upgrading your space is a great way to spend the extra cash from Uncle Sam. You?ll enjoy a more beautiful and comfortable home, and at the same time boost the resale value of your property.

Of course, not all remodeling projects are equal when it comes to increasing resale value. Here are some of the projects that will give you the most bang for your buck.

Remodel Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of your home. It is a gathering place for family and a space for entertaining friends. And no home improvement project boosts resale value like a kitchen remodel.

If you can?t afford a major remodel, upgrading the kitchen cabinets is a great first project to tackle. Replace the cabinets entirely or save money by having them refaced or refinished. The latter completely transforms the look of your kitchen for a fraction of the price.

Remodel a Bathroom

Second to kitchens, a bathroom remodel is the best home improvement project for boosting resale value. When it?s time to sell your home, buyers will be looking for modern fixtures, plenty of storage and clever use of space.

A complete remodel can cost $10,000 or more, but you can start small here, too. Begin by paying attention to the most outdated features of the room. Replace that 1970s lime green bathtub with a modern tub/shower combo or swap that ugly laminate countertop for granite or quartz.

Build a Deck

Building a deck is a great way to expand your living space to the outdoors. Create an extra ?room? for relaxing, barbecuing, and entertaining family and friends.

The best part about building a deck is the return on investment. Even if you sell within a year, you?re likely to recoup most of the cost in the sale price.

Hire a Landscaper

Never underestimate the power of curb appeal. Your home might be beautiful on the inside, but if the lawn is ragged and unkempt, buyers will look elsewhere. Even if you?re not planning to sell, who wants to be known as the neighborhood eyesore?

Many people are surprised to learn that a complete landscaping project can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Start by hiring a professional to design a landscaping plan based on your needs and budget. Then you can tackle that plan in stages as money allows. Basic, naturalistic garden landscaping begins at about $12 per square foot.

Check out this MSN Real estate article for more ideas on how to save money on landscaping projects.

Replace Your Floors

Replacing your floors is yet another great way to transform the look of your home. Maybe the carpet in your living room is old and dirty or the vinyl floors in your kitchen are falling apart.

Replacing old carpet or vinyl with hardwood offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to resale value. If you can?t afford to do the whole house, start with just one room ? perhaps the kitchen. Or, look into lower cost flooring options such as bamboo or laminate.

Source: http://www.servicemagicconnection.com/flush-with-tax-return-cash-spend-it-wisely-on-these-five-home-improvement-projects/

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