Use winter to freshen up home

Winter is an excellent time for making improvements to your home. Temperatures might be cooler, but contractors’ schedules are lighter. And the season is perfect for making changes to your home that improve your comfort as well as your resale value. Here are six ways to bring more comfort to your home and give you better chances to sell during the homebuying – and selling – season.

• Updating/replacing wood floors

Wood floors provide a timeless, classy look to any home. Plus, they’re built to last; a well-cared-for wood floor can be a beautiful part of your home for more than 100 years. These floors also collect less dust and debris than carpets, which is good news for allergy sufferers. If you already have wood floors, having them refinished gives them that new boost and will run you around $1,000-$2,500, depending on its size.

If you choose to have a professional install for you, you should plan on investing about $6,000-12,000 per 1000 square feet.

• Appliances

A relatively inexpensive upgrade would involve replacing your kitchen appliances. Not only will you enjoy the streamlined look of matching and more energy-efficient appliances, but you can also see about a 3 percent to 7 percent increase in home value. This upgrade usually costs roughly $3,000-$8,000, depending on how many pieces you replace, what brands you choose, and whether you DIY or have them professionally installed.

• HVAC system

If energy efficiency makes your home life more comfortable (and puts more money in your pocket), consider upgrading your HVAC unit. New requirements have emerged for air conditioners, so newer models are more efficient than previous ones. You might also catch a tax break by updating your HVAC, but you’ll want to check with your state to see if you qualify. While you can install a water heater on your own, it’s best to hire a professional when working with a furnace or AC unit. While a new HVAC unit can run anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, Money Magazine reports you can get a 5 percent to 10 percent return on your home value. That’s definitely worth the peace of mind — and lower energy bills.

• Increasing accessibility

Increasing accessibility can improve your house value and comfort at once. And accessibility is about more than bars on the bathroom walls. It can also include walk-in tubs, showers without step-downs, walking rails in hallways, and lifts and elevators for two-story homes (or ranches with basements). The costs can run from $800-$8,000 (and perhaps more for that elevator), but the return is worth it for this increasingly popular living concept.

• Finished basements

Finishing your basement can give your home the extra space you need. You can add bedrooms or a playroom while increasing your home value. According to HGTV, you can get about a 70 percent return on investment for your basement remodeling costs. If you want to see this type of return, keep the cost of this remodel to about 5 percent to 10 percent of your house’s current value.

• In-law suites

One great use for your basement is to create an in-law suite (or use/build an outbuilding to provide this extra living space). This allows you to take care of aging family members, have additional storage space, or generate more income through short- or long-term renting. These suites can be pricey, costing anywhere from $40,000-75,000, but homes with these suites tend to list higher than homes in the same neighborhood.