People who consider their home to be a starter home are more likely to buy another home within two to five years. If your starter home has all the right qualities — a good neighborhood, proximity to schools and work, a house with strong “bones” — you may want to turn your focus to making it a long-term residence. In today’s post, local home renovation company DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Tyler shares tips on how to make your starter home your forever home.
Prioritize Structural Issues
You have to make sure that your home is structurally sound before you make changes to it. This means issues that may affect the foundation, the roof and the framing — as well as adjacent components like insulation and cladding — need to be put at the top of your list of planned improvements.
Don’t Start Renovations Too Soon
Take the time to get a sense of the layout before you start planning a home remodel. Observe how the rooms flow into each other and how natural lighting hits the windows. This will give you insight on which parts of the house to improve upon and which to keep as-is. It will also give you time to determine whether major changes will be needed.
Consider an Open Floor Plan
The smallest starter home can benefit from an open floor plan, which involves removing interior walls that separate common areas (living room, dining room and kitchen), resulting in one continuous space. This allows more natural light within the room, and more flexibility for transitions between areas. Have your local remodeler inspect your home to determine if it’s suitable for conversion to an open floor plan. Some homes are built with load-bearing walls that will require the addition of support beams if the walls are removed.
Get New Countertops
Starter homes usually come with countertops made of low-cost material like laminate. Replacing them with countertops made of a more durable material, like granite, is a considerable upgrade and will improve your kitchen in many ways. Pair it with a beautiful backsplash and eye-catching fixtures and your kitchen will have new life.
Look for Energy-Efficient Upgrades
When planning your remodel, always check if energy-efficient options are available. Efficient kitchen appliances, LED lighting and HVAC units help reduce energy consumption, while energy-efficient replacement windows reduce energy waste by keeping thermal transfer to a minimum. Look for an ENERGY STAR® certification when shopping.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
Whether you need a whole-home or a kitchen remodel, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Tyler is the company that you can trust. Get started with a no-obligation consultation by calling us at (903) 551-7261. You can also contact us online! We serve homeowners in Tyler as well as the surrounding communities, including Swan, New Chapel Hill and Whitehouse.
