Want a Healthier Home? These Positive Changes Can Help
Making your home a healthier place to be can work wonders. Along with supporting your physical wellbeing, specific positive changes can alleviate stress, leading to improved mental health. Surprisingly, even some smaller home improvements can make a significant impact. However, that doesn’t mean you should overlook major updates, as those are worth considering if your budget allows. If you want a healthier home, here are some options you might want to explore.
Positive Changes If You’re Looking to Stay in Your Home
When your goal is to remain in your home long-term, focus on projects that help you live healthier above all else. One prime example is changing your air filters. Regularly; most manufacturers recommend replacing or cleaning them monthly, or you can install an electric air filter that only needs to be rinsed off. Filters are arranged by MERV-rating; filters with the highest available Merv Rating, will do a better job at trapping allergens, contaminants, and more. It is also highly recommended to have your air quality tested periodically to monitor indoor pollutants and keep ahead of potential problems in your indoor air.
Are you planning to test your indoor air quality? 3Rs Construction has you covered with state-of-the-art particle counters and 3rd party reporting. You can be assured you are getting the most accurate results possible.
Decluttering is another straightforward project that can make your home healthier. Clutter tends to collect dust, which isn’t ideal for your health. Plus, cleaning can be harder to manage when you have too much stuff. As a result, you may want to give the KonMari Method a try and ensure you only keep items that genuinely make your life better.
If you have the budget for a bigger project, you might want to remodel your kitchen as well. However, suppose you plan to make your existing space more functional, and the idea of cooking nutritious meals at home increases the odds that you'll eat healthily. In that case, you will want to keep in mind that these types of projects require services from professional, licensed, and insured contractors, electricians, and plumbers. Finding a General Contractor you trust is vital. He or she will help you navigate this process and be certain the people working on your home are all experienced and qualified to give you the best possible results.
Choosing the Right Updates If You’re Selling Soon
If you plan to sell your home soon, certain home updates are better options than others. If you're looking for DIY or inexpensive options, you may want to start with repainting. Usually, adding a fresh coat of paint is something homeowners can manage. Plus, the results can be dramatic, particularly if you change the colors to match current trends. Keep in mind that bold colors, however trendy, will limit your pool of potential buyers. Warm colors and neutrals tend to do best.
Another option worth considering is quick bathroom repairs. Issues like dripping faucets or cracked tile might turn off buyers. By handling those issues, your home looks better, increasing the value to prospective buyers.
If you’re open to hiring professionals for higher-cost updates, consider replacing your windows with new low-E windows. The fact that they are energy-efficient can make your home more attractive to buyers. Additionally, it may improve your curb appeal and the look of your interior, boosting your home’s value.
You could also install updated flooring. There are many new materials that are low-maintenance and hypo-allergenic, making your home healthier in a way that may matter to buyers.
Finding the Right Path to Pay for Home Upgrades
Paying for home upgrades might feel difficult, especially if you don’t have much cash available. However, there are financing options that may help.
If you want to avoid the higher interest rates that often come with a personal loan and don’t want to get stuck with another separate bill to pay, as you would with a HELOC, consider a cash-out refinance. You’ll end up with a new mortgage that’s larger than your original, but you get to take the difference between the two loans out as cash, giving you money for your updates.
Ready to make your home a better one?
See how 3Rs Construction can help in your home remodel, repair, and remediation! Give us a call at 503-363-1059 to discuss!