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12 Winter Home Improvement Projects That Pay Off

Dusty Rhodes • December 2, 2024

Whether you’re aiming to fortify your home against the elements, modernize key areas, or simply elevate its overall ambiance, these projects are sure to inspire. 


Redfin’s list of winter home improvement projects goes beyond the usual suspects, offering practical and unique upgrades that resonate with the season. Read on to explore 12 projects you can tackle this winter.


1. Attic insulation upgrade


Winter is the ideal season to enhance your home’s energy efficiency by upgrading attic insulation. This project helps regulate indoor temperatures, keeping your home warmer and reducing heating costs. While costs may vary, investing in high-quality insulation can typically range from $1,500 to $2,500. The long-term benefits include lower energy bills and the potential for increased property value.


2. Landscaping enhancements


Winter is an opportune time to plan and implement landscaping improvements. While the garden may be dormant, adding features like walkways, outdoor lighting, or even planting evergreen shrubs can boost curb appeal. Costs vary widely based on the scope of the project, but a well-executed landscaping upgrade can make your home stand out, come spring time. 


3. Smart thermostat installation


Upgrade your home’s heating system by installing a smart thermostat. This winter home improvement project, which usually costs between $200 and $300, allows you to control your home’s temperature remotely, leading to energy savings and increased comfort. Winter installation is convenient, with fewer demands on HVAC professionals and the added benefit of immediate energy efficiency improvements.

4. Kitchen cabinet refinishing


Give your kitchen a facelift without breaking the bank by refinishing your cabinets. This cost-effective winter project can be completed for under $500. Refinishing cabinets is a quick and efficient way to modernize the heart of your home, even if you have a tight budget.


5. Basement waterproofing


Protect your home from winter’s harsh elements by investing in basement waterproofing. This essential improvement can prevent water damage, mold growth, and structural issues. While costs may range from $2,000 to $6,000, the long-term benefits often outweigh the initial investment. Winter is a great time to start this project as it tackles potential vulnerabilities ahead of spring rains, ensuring a dry and secure basement.


6. Ceiling fan installation


Improve both aesthetics and energy performance by installing ceiling fans in key rooms. This affordable winter project helps distribute warm air more effectively in the winter and cool air in the summer. The energy savings, combined with the visual appeal of stylish ceiling fans, make this an easy and cost-effective improvement.


7. Window replacement


Upgrade your home’s energy performance by replacing old or drafty windows. New windows not only improve insulation but also enhance natural light, aesthetics, and soundproofing. The energy savings and improved comfort make this project a wise choice for homeowners struggling with expensive electric bills. 


8. Bathroom fixture upgrade


Revitalize your bathroom by upgrading fixtures such as faucets, shower heads, and lighting. This relatively low-cost project, usually ranging from $500 to $1,500, can instantly modernize the space and improve functionality. Upgraded fixtures not only enhance your daily routine but also contribute to a more appealing and comfortable home.


9. Flooring refinishing


Give your home a fresh look by refinishing the flooring in high-traffic areas. Whether you have hardwood, laminate, or tile floors, this project can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the materials. Refinishing not only restores the beauty of your floors but also adds durability, making it an investment that can pay off in terms of aesthetics and functionality.


10. Smart lighting system installation


Enhance your home’s functionality and energy performance by installing a smart lighting system. This winter home improvement project, which can cost between $500 and $2,000 depending on the complexity, allows you to control lighting remotely. Additionally, the convenience and energy savings make this a modern and attractive feature for many homeowners.


11. Crawl space encapsulation


Crawl space encapsulation stands out as a key project to safeguard your home in the colder months. The process involves sealing the crawl space beneath your home to create a barrier against moisture, pests, and potential issues that could compromise your home’s structural integrity. Winter proves to be an opportune time for crawl space encapsulation, primarily because the drier air allows for efficient installation and curing of materials. By addressing this project during the colder months, you can fortify your home against the impending challenges of spring rains and thawing snow.


12. Fireplace upgrade


Make your living space more cozy and appealing by upgrading your fireplace. This can involve refacing the fireplace, adding a new mantel, or converting to a more efficient gas or electric model. A stylish and functional fireplace can be a focal point in your home, adding both aesthetic value and charm. 





Source: Redfin



Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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The Secret To Selling This Spring: Start the Prep Work Now

By Dusty Rhodes • February 17, 2025
Spring is the busiest season in the housing market. It’s the time of year when buyers are most active – that means it’s when homes sell faster and for top dollar. If you’ve already got a move on your mind, why not list this spring and take advantage of the added buyer demand ? Since spring is just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house market-ready. You’ve got just over a month to do the prep work. And while that may sound like a decent amount of time, it’s going to go by quickly. And you won’t want to rush through this important task – especially this year. The Right Repairs Will Matter More This Spring Right now, two things are true. There are more homes on the market than there have been in years. And buyers are being extra selective. That combination means you need to invest some time and effort in making strategic repairs . And many homeowners already have a jump on this work. In the 2025 Outlook for Home Remodeling , Carlos Martin, Director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University , explains : “. . . homeowners are slowly but surely expanding the pace and scope of projects compared to the last couple years.” And the most common projects they’re tackling are replacing water heaters, HVAC units, and flooring. Energy efficiency is a key consideration too, based on home improvement data from the Census. What To Prioritize as You Plan Ahead But just because that’s what other homeowners are doing, it doesn’t mean that’s what you have to tackle. Think about what you’d want to see if you were a buyer. Focus on quick wins that are easy to knock out with the time you have – but, don’t ignore key repairs, especially ones you think could turn off buyers. While big-ticket items like replacing an old roof or outdated flooring may seem daunting, they can pay off – especially if you focus on projects with the best return on investment (ROI). An agent’s expertise is key in narrowing down your list to what’s actually worth it. They know what buyers in your area want and they also have data like this report from Zonda to guide you on which updates have the best ROI ( see green in the graph below ):

41 housing markets where inventory just tipped in favor of buyers

By Dusty Rhodes • February 10, 2025
Among the nation’s 200 largest housing markets, these 41 metro areas now have active inventory at or above 2019 pre-pandemic levels. While homebuyers and home sellers still see headlines about the housing market being a seller’s market and national home prices reaching all-time highs, a deeper look reveals that several regional housing markets have shifted, giving homebuyers some power. During the pandemic housing boom, from summer 2020 to spring 2022, the number of active homes for sale in most housing markets plummeted as homebuyer demand quickly absorbed almost everything that came up for sale. Fast-forward to the current housing market, and the places where active inventory has rebounded to 2019 levels (due to strained affordability suppressing buyer demand) are now the very places where homebuyers hold the most power. At the end of January 2025, national active inventory for sale was still 25% below January 2019 levels. However, more and more regional markets are surpassing that threshold. Among the nation’s 200 largest metro area housing markets, 41 markets ended January 2025 with more active homes for sale than they had in pre-pandemic January 2019. These are the places where homebuyers will be able to find the most leverage or market balance in 2025.

Selling vs. Renting Out Your House: Which Is Right for You?

By Dusty Rhodes • February 3, 2025
Leaving your current house and moving to another one gives you a few options. While most homeowners choose to sell outright, many opt to keep their old home and rent it out instead. This decision can be influenced by several factors: a strong rental market in your area, the advantage of a low current mortgage rate, or challenges in selling the house at the desired price. If you’re wondering whether to sell your house or rent it out, there are a few things to consider. Key Takeaways The answer depends on your circumstances, your housing situation, and your current finances. Selling your house may be the right option if you need the proceeds to purchase your next home or could make a profit. Renting out your house may be the right choice if you’re planning to live in your home again, have a low mortgage rate, or are looking for more income. What are the rental prices in the area? Does it make sense to rent your house? In some locations, rental prices can easily cover your mortgage payments. Depending on how much you have left on your mortgage or if you have a low mortgage rate, the rental income from your old house may cover the monthly payments, plus homeowners insurance and property taxes you pay. However, if you’ve recently purchased your house and are looking to rent it out, your mortgage payments may be too high for a lease to cover them. Take a look at houses that compare to yours with regard to size and location. This should give you a ballpark figure on what price your house can lease for. If you aren’t on a tight timeline to leave your current home, take notice of how quickly similar houses in the area take to lease. If rental properties stay empty for more than a few weeks, you may have trouble finding consistent tenants. A real estate agent can help match you with a tenant or give you an idea of your rental prospects. They can also give you insight into whether your location is desirable for tenants. For instance, if it’s near a university or larger employer, you may be able to rent to students or to employees who relocate for that large employer. However, if the house is far from the city center, or you’re located in a residential neighborhood, you may have trouble finding tenants. Do you need equity from your current home? Why are you leaving your old house? Are you purchasing a new home? If you’re planning to upgrade to a larger home, you may need the money from the sale of your old one to place a down payment on your new house. If you have enough equity in your current home, it may make more sense to sell the house instead of renting it. If you’re able to afford the down payment on your new home without selling your current one, usually about 20%, then renting out your old one makes sense. What is the market like in your area? The housing market isn’t consistent across the country, and even different parts of larger metro areas may be more or less robust. If the current market is slow and you think you can sell your home for a higher price in a few years, then it may make sense to rent the house until housing prices rise again. However, if it’s a sellers’ market and you can get the maximum selling price for your home, then selling it may be the better option. Keep in mind that houses that have been rental properties, often have a harder time selling afterward. You may have more wear and tear in the home if multiple tenants have lived there, which may mean spending more to prepare it to show and sell. An experienced real estate agent in your area can help you determine the top vales of your home and whether or not the current market can support that selling price. Agents who have been in the area long enough to become familiar with the housing market are in a good position to help you determine the best time to sell. Will you live in the house again? Consider whether you plan to live in the house or the area again. You may be in a situation that requires temporary relocation, and you plan to return to the original home in a few years. Having a good tenant to live in the house can ensure that your home stays in good condition instead of sitting empty. You’ll also have income from the rental property and building equity in the old home and your new one. Do you have the time and money to be a landlord? For those who are new to investing in rental properties, it may seem easy to rent out their current home and enjoy passive income while paying down their mortgage. However, if this is your first time being a landlord, you may find leasing your property yourself challenging. First, landlords are responsible for making major repairs to the house. Landlords have to fix things like broken pipes, defunct HVAC systems, and structural damage, among other essential repairs. If you don’t have a few thousand dollars on hand to take care of these repairs, you could end up in a bind. There are specific laws in place to protect tenants, including the landlord’s reliability to make major repairs on the house. In addition, there are certain things that you can and can’t do as a landlord. Being aware of Fair Housing Laws is critical to make sure that you don’t inadvertently violate them. Do you need a property manager? A property management company can help vet tenants, collect rents, and arrange for repairs and maintenance on your behalf. A good property management company is also up-to-date on current requirements in your state for landlord obligations. If you’re planning to just lease your house, you may choose to manage the repairs and tenant search yourself, especially if you live nearby. However, if you’re planning to build a portfolio of rental properties, then having one company manage them may be a better option. Property managers can help ensure that your house or houses stay full, including working with local agents, having open houses for prospective tenants, and quickly running background and credit checks for those applying for a lease. As a passive landlord in this situation, you’re able to free yourself of the obligation for emergency repairs and the time searching for people to live in your rental property. Consider rent-to-own Another option when you’re considering whether to sell or rent your house is to engage in a rent-to-own agreement. In these situations, the tenant will place a down payment on the house and make lease payments to you for a specified period. After the lease is up, then the tenant has the option to purchase the home. During the time they’re making lease payments, a portion of those payments will go toward the final price of the house. This option may work for you if the housing market in your area is stagnant, allowing you to cover the mortgage without entering into a long-term obligation to a rental property. These rent-to-own options can be beneficial for tenants, too, as their financial situation may improve enough over time that they’re able to obtain a mortgage. What makes a house a good rental property investment? Does your house have the potential to be a good income property? There are a few things to consider before listing your house for rent. You may have to make some minor repairs and upgrades to your property to attract good tenants who will take care of the house and pay on time. Fresh paint and carpet are usually a must and are required in some areas. The location of your investment property is one of the most important things in determining whether you’ll have steady tenants or be responsible for covering the mortgage out of pocket if the house sits empty. The home’s location can easily make the difference between having a steady tenancy and losing money on the rental property. Final thoughts on renting or selling your home Deciding whether to sell your house or rent depends on carefully analyzing the area and the property’s desirability. Will the area be in high demand for renters, or is it likely that you’ll struggle to find tenants? You’ll also need to take a look at your finances and determine if selling or renting will give you the best return on your investment. Choosing the right real estate agent to advise you in this process can help you answer your question of whether to sell or rent your house.
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