Home improvements: sell or stay

Lifestyle

Are you thinking of downsizing from your current home or getting another place that better fits your needs? Deciding whether or not to make improvements to your house and stay, or upgrade and sell can be tough. First is the emotional factor. Maybe your kids grew up in that house, you've celebrated years of occasions there and it's filled with great memories. If that's the case, it could be right for you to make some improvements and stay put.

Or perhaps you're not emotionally tied to your home and you're fine with keeping those memories with you, no matter where you live. You need to consider if selling will be a good return on your investment — especially if you need to upgrade or remodel to put it on the market. Also think about if you can really afford to buy another place. Consider the equity you have in your home, the cost of housing, as well as the cost of selling a home and moving.

Whether you sell or stay, big home improvement projects are expensive — with the average kitchen remodel costing $25,535 and the average bathroom remodel costing $10,776. But not all home improvements have to be pricy. With a few hours, a little elbow grease and less than $1,000, here are seven changes you can make to improve the functionality, enjoyment and value of your home:

  1. If it's broke, fix it.
    Of course, if you have crumbling foundation or a leaky roof, those are potentially costly expenses that should be your first priority. But if those types of major fixes aren't an issue, taking care of the smaller ones should make the top of your list. Tighten that leaky faucet, oil the squeaky back door or have your local hardware store fix the hole in your window screen. Taking care of those small fixes now — helps avoid them becoming bigger, more costly issues later.
  2. Add a fresh coat of paint.
    For less than $50 and a Saturday afternoon, a fresh coat of paint can have a big impact. If you're thinking of selling, choose a neutral, buyer‑friendly color.
  3. Love your lawn.
    If your lawn has bare or weedy patches, seed small patches or add sod to larger areas. Just be sure to water your grass thoroughly until it's well‑established.
  4. Add some landscaping.
    Add some low-cost plantings to your yard, focusing particularly on the front yard. Do a little homework first to make sure you choose plants that are appropriate for your area and low maintenance. Then surround your plants with fresh mulch to lock in moisture and ward off weeds.
  5. Up your curb appeal.
    Look at the front of your home with a critical eye to see what features might be past their prime. Touch up any peeling paint on the front porch, and swap out the old porch light, house numbers or rusty mailbox. Finish off the refresh with a new door mat, a couple pots of bright-colored flowers or a seasonal wreath.
  6. Tweak the kitchen or bathroom.
    If you don't want to invest in a full kitchen or bathroom remodel, you can still make a big impact with some smaller changes. Start by replacing the most outdated or least‑functioning thing in the room — maybe a new pedestal sink in the bathroom or a stainless steel sink in the kitchen. Then swap out outdated cabinet knobs, replace or scrub dirty switch plates and get yourself a new shower curtain or kitchen rug. For not a lot of cash, your space will feel brand‑new.
  7. Mirror mirror.
    Try hanging an oversized mirror on the wall for a quick and easy change. If the mirror is positioned strategically, it can make a small room feel twice as large or a dark room feel twice as bright.

A big change, such as moving, could mean a potential change in your retirement strategy. Speak with your financial professional to make sure your retirement plans stay on track.

This information is brought to you by Athene — where unconventional thinking brings innovative annuity solutions to help make your retirement dreams a reality.

About Athene Careers Contact Us Individuals Professionals Institutions
Institutions
The institutional channel includes reinsurance and group annuity contracts related to pension group annuities.
Reinsurance Pension Group Annuities (PGA)
Investors
Privacy Legal

Annuities contain features, exclusions, limitations and availability that may vary by state and/or sales distributor. For a full explanation of an annuity, please refer to the Certificate of Disclosure or Prospectus (as applicable) and contact your financial professional or the company for costs and complete details. This material is a general description intended for general public use. 

Annuity contracts and group annuity contracts are issued by Athene Annuity and Life Company (61689), West Des Moines, IA, and Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company (61492), Wilmington, Delaware, in all states (except New York), and in D.C. and PR. Annuity contracts and group annuity contracts are issued by Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York (68039), Pearl River, NY, in New York state. Payment obligations and guarantees are subject to the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Insurance products may not be available in all states. These companies are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any individual or in any individual situation, and therefore nothing in this should be read as investment advice. This material should not be interpreted as a recommendation by Athene Annuity and Life Company, Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company, Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York, or Athene Securities, LLC. Please reach out to your financial professional if you have any questions about insurance products and their features.

The term “financial professional” is not intended to imply engagement in an advisory business with compensation unrelated to sales. Financial professionals will be paid a commission on the sale of an annuity.

ANNUITIES ARE PRODUCTS OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK NOR INSURED BY FDIC OR NCUA/NCUSIF. MAY LOSE VALUE. NO BANK/CREDIT UNION GUARANTEE. NOT A DEPOSIT. NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY. MAY ONLY BE OFFERED BY A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT.

Reinsurance contracts are entered into with Athene Annuity and Life Company (61689), West Des Moines, IA; Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company (61492), Wilmington, Delaware; Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York (68039), Pearl River, NY; and Athene Life Re Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda. Not all reinsurance products or structures offered are available in all jurisdictions. Reinsurers may not be licensed in all states. All transactions are subject to meeting a reinsurer’s underwriting requirements. Reinsurance products are not protected or guaranteed by state insurance guaranty associations or insolvency funds.