It’s a difficult time in our economy heading into the holiday season. We’re feeling the pinch at the gas pumps and in the grocery store. Everything costs a little more these days and it’s starting to add up. At the same time, the housing market still feels a little upside down and many people are not in a position to buy or move. So, as we welcome fall and begin to settle in for the winter months and holidays, it may be the best time to reinvest and reinvigorate your home with some simple fall DIY projects. From the easy and inexpensive, to the complex and costly, we’ll cover some projects you can do this fall to give your house a facelift and make it feel more like home.

Curb Appeal

Painting the front door may be the quickest and easiest way to brighten up the look of your home fast. Fall is a great time to brighten up the front of your home with a splash of color and may be the best time of year weather-wise to accomplish this. Ideally, you want to work with paint when it’s at least 50 degrees outside, but doesn’t dip below 40 at night, to allow the paint the right temperature to adhere properly.

Another great fall project is a deck refresh or repair. A splintering wobbly deck in disrepair is an eyesore and waste of usable space. A deck project could also offer you a return on investment (ROI) of up to 120%. Perhaps you’ve been considering turning your deck into a 3-season space to give your family a reading den or movie theater room. The moderate temps of fall might be a great time for a small deck project. 

Some new windows in your home would not only brighten up the look of your house but may also drastically increase your home’s energy efficiency. New windows on a home can offer an ROI of 50-80% and help save on heating and cooling costs in the long run.

Fall Maintenance

Your home may be in need of good washing. Powerwashing is a quick fix that can really brighten up your exterior with minimal effort. It may be worth the investment to hire a pro with the right equipment to accomplish this task quickly and efficiently. 

Don’t forget about your gutters after the fall leaf clean-up. Gutters filled with debris and build-up can mean leaks in winter when ice builds up and then melts. A quick clearing of gutters can save thousands of dollars in repairs later. While you’re up there, be sure to check your roof for minor wear and tear that could become big trouble in winter weather. 

Financing

Some of the small projects mentioned don’t require a large financial investment and could offer a great ROI. But projects like deck and roof repairs, and window replacement can add up fast. With a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit from Andover Bank, you can borrow up to 80% of your home’s value for up to 15 years. Check our website for the latest rates and details.