| 8/20/2008 |
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Upgrading The Exterior Of Your Home The exterior of your home is very important, not just because it helps to make the whole neighborhood look nice, but because it helps prospective home buyers make up their minds as to whether or not they want to live in your neighborhood, which in turn, may help determine if the value of your home goes up or down. But that should not be the main reason you have for making the exterior of your home look nice. The main reason is for your own gratification. You should be proud of your home, your neighborhood, and the overall condition of the city, or area, in which you live. When you drive up to your home, a good appearance should make you feel something special about where you live. The exterior of your home, the curb appeal, should be a representation of how you look at yourself and what you want others to think when they look at it. How do you know whether or not the exterior of your home needs to be upgraded? First, go outside and take a good look at it from the street. If you don't like what you see, the neighbors don't either.
Don't close your eyes, and mind, to the obvious upgrades and repairs that are needed. You can see the flaws, and you know whether your home needs to be upgraded or not. Fresh exterior paint is always pleasing to the eye, along with updated windows, a newer front door, a well manicured yard and flower beds, a clean driveway, and garage or car porch. The easiest upgrade, and the least costly, should be the yard. If you buy a lawn mower, it will pay for itself within 6 to 8 months if you are paying a gardener $75.00 per month. The flower beds can be dug up and replanted in a matter of days. Aside from esthetic values, you will get exercise, sunshine, and fresh air. If the house needs to be painted, then paint it. A good paint job should be your next order of business. A freshly painted house immediately makes the neighborhood look better. You can save money by painting it yourself. Although a new roof is probably the most costly of upgrades, it is very important if you want your home to maintain it's value. When a roof leaks, the rain and moisture causes unsightly damage to interior ceiling and walls, causes mold and mildew to grow, creates electrical problems, and it gives a home an unpleasant appearance. A new front door and modern double paned windows can give a home a sophisticated look and feel and so does a new garage door. Many cities give rebates and/or low interest loans to homeowners within their borders. To find out if your city offers such plans and/or incentives, call your city's planning office for information. The great thing about working on the exterior of your home is that it is contagious. When neighbors see the improvements you make, they will start making upgrades to their homes, too. It will have a positive affect on your whole neighborhood.
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 | Finance Topic of the Month: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
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