Out-of-the-ordinary upgrades enhance home’s livability, value
Perhaps your home is in pretty good shape, with a newish roof, a wellmaintained furnace and air-conditioning, and fresh paint throughout. Or maybe you’ve bought a brand-new house that’s move-in ready. Even though you don’t really need to do a thing to the home, you still may have the urge to update certain areas.
But what can you do when everything is already just about perfect?
Engaging in some out-of-the-ordinary upgrades can enhance a home’s livability, your enjoyment of the home and — in some cases — the home’s resale value down the road.
Before you settle on an upgrade, ask yourself these key questions: • Will it improve the home’s livability? • Will it improve the healthfulness or security of the home environment?
• Is it a special feature that appeals to your lifestyle?
• How difficult/easy will it be to maintain? • Does it have hidden dollar value? The following are some out-of-theordinary improvements that can increase enjoyment of a home while adding value.
SKYLIGHTS Skylights are a surprisingly affordable upgrade, and it’s easy to see the lifestyle benefits they bring, including their ability to make both small and large areas seem even larger.
Skylights differentiate a home’s appearance while significantly increasing the amount of natural light that enters a room — a huge bonus in spaces where wall windows aren’t practical or desirable, such as master closets or baths where privacy is paramount.
Energy Star-qualified, solar-powered, fresh-air skylights, such as those from Velux America, also provide passive ventilation that improves indoor air quality. Fresh-air skylights operate with a programmable touch-pad remote control that also manages energy accessories such as blinds. Available in designer colors and patterns, solar-powered skylight blinds further allow homeowners to control the amount of light and warmth that enters or leaves the room through a skylight.
SWIMMING POOL The value of a swimming pool is subjective, so the most important questions to ask yourself are whether a pool will fit your lifestyle and whether you’ll be able to maintain the pool.
Pools can be a great way to relax, get in some exercise, bond with the kids or enjoy playtime with friends. But you’ll have to do some work for that fun, including cleaning the pool regularly, adding chemicals as needed and keeping the pump, lights, heater and other systems in good condition.
You must also be aware of safety and take appropriate measures to protect children and pets when they’re near the pool.
SUNROOM A sunroom won’t improve your home’s energy efficiency the way a skylight can, but if the home has a great view, or you relish communing with nature, a sunroom can help boost your mood.
While some expert do-it-yourselfers may be able to tackle a sunroom addition on their own, most homeowners will want to work with a professional contractor to ensure that the structure is sound, well-insulated, efficient and built to code.
BACKUP GENERATOR While a backup generator is not a common home improvement, installing one could be beneficial if your home is in a storm-prone area where power outages occur regularly. A generator may also be an important home enhancement if you have critical electrical systems that must stay on, such as medical devices for a homebound patient.
When you’re considering upgrading a home, keep in mind that its resale value isn’t the only consideration. It’s equally important that the upgrades make sense for the home and your lifestyle.