How to Fall in Love with Your Long Island Home Again

Is your Long Island house looking worn and tired? Feeling cramped? Maybe you’ve been wondering whether it is time to remodel your home or put it on the market and let someone else figure out how to give the place a fresh, new look and feel. If you’ve spent a lot of time and money refurbishing your home and still aren’t happy with the results, it might be time to move on. But, sometimes you just need a little help from a professional.

While Renewal by Andersen of Long Island can help you update your home with modern, high-performance replacement windows and patio doors, we don’t typically provide general guidance for major construction projects. This week though, we would like to give you some ideas that may help you fall in love with your Long Island home again, or at least boost the resale value if you’re definitely ready to put it on the market.

Should I Sell Or Fix Up My Residence?

There are a lot of variables to consider when trying to decide whether to fix a place or sell it. If your home is barely habitable – rotting wood, holes in the walls, major plumbing issues and a roof that leaks like a sieve, slashing the price for a quick sale could be the best approach. Most real estate agents are going to tell you that people looking for a fixer-upper don’t necessarily want a home you have to gut and start over but are looking for simple fixes that may take some sweat equity, but won’t break the bank, so to speak. Some homeowners won’t even consider a place that needs a new roof, or one that has windows that don’t operate properly.

Upgrading With Replacement Windows

If one of your biggest complaints about your home is the old windows that stick and hang, or worse, leak so bad you have painted them shut, upgrading with modern, beautiful replacement windows can quickly eliminate the frustration and brighten up your indoor spaces. Replacing windows that have scratched and damaged panes improves visibility and brings in the natural light, while helping you take advantage of energy efficiency technology to help you make your rooms more comfortable. Replacing a series of smaller windows with a large picture window can dramatically improve the street-facing appearance as well as natural indoor lighting. And, since you don’t have to go back with the same style, you might want to install a different style of replacement windows in place of what you have now.

Focus on Kitchens & Baths

An outdated kitchen discourages most potential buyers – and some homeowners admit the kitchen is one of the reasons they fall out of love with their home. You don’t have to go overboard replacing all appliances with top of the line refrigerators and ranges designed for professional chefs. You don’t have to rip out the cabinets and start over either. A fresh coat of paint and some unique drawer pulls and cabinet knobs can make a world of difference in the way a bath or kitchen looks.

If you decide to do a more significant remodel in the kitchen, keep these tips in mind.

  • Buy everything before you start. This means you pick out your cabinets, paint colors, baseboards, flooring materials, new lighting fixtures, sink, back-splash tiles and faucets before you start tearing anything out.
  • Consider hiring a professional designer to draw a scale map
  • Make sure your major kitchen areas form a triangle pattern – stove, sink, refrigerator.
  • Interview contractors and ask for references. Photos of past projects are a great way to “see” examples of work quality, too.
  • Plan your upgrade around the style of your home. If you decide to sell, buyers won’t appreciate a Mediterranean style kitchen in a traditional Cape Code or Craftsman style home.

Choosing replacement windows that complement your new kitchen – awnings and casements are both perfect options for areas over counters and sinks – will ensure the final results make your new space functional and beautiful.

The Must Haves Whether You Sell or Stay

Take a walk through your home and make a list of anything that you see that needs repair, or that you wish you could change in your house. Whether you plan to sell, or hope you can fall in love with your home again, there are at least seven things you should do.

  1. Repair any leaking faucets and plumbing issues.
  2. Rip out worn carpets and replace area rugs that are frayed or outdated.
  3. Repaint all walls with a neutral color, but avoid white. Be sure to patch holes or gouges in walls and the ceiling before you resurface.
  4. Repair or replace broken and damaged windows.
  5. Change outdated ceiling fans and light fixtures.
  6. Repair roof leaks, gutters and shutters, if needed.
  7. Update window treatments.

Start With Renewal by Andersen of Long Island Replacement Windows

Whether you ultimately decide to sell your Long Island home or you fall in love with it all over again after your makeover, we are confident updating your home windows with modern, Energy-Star certified replacement windows is a wise decision. Ready for more information? Just fill in the short form on this page or give us a call at (866) 609-5033 to schedule a home visit with a professional Renewal by Andersen of Long Island window consultant.

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LEARN …
  • The Difference Between Replacement and New Construction Windows!
  • The Different Kinds of Frame Materials and What That Means to Your Windows’ Performance and Longevity!
  • How the Right Glass Can Save You Money on Your Heating & Cooling Bills!
  • The Critical Role Proper Installation Plays in the Performance, Durability and Warranty of Your New Replacement Windows!
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