Make or Break Your Bank? Ellen’s Tips on Home Renovations 
Home improvements: where to begin? It seems as though everyone is either flipping houses busy upgrading their own. In a hot housing market, upgrading and selling your home can be a nifty moneymaker. However, how do you know where to put your funds? Which home improvement projects will bring “the most bang for your buck”?
Some home renovations will improve your home appeal and function, therefore allowing you sell at a higher price. However, some home improvements are better for aesthetic or comfort level only. Depending on your market, home renovations can make or break your bank once you go to sell your house. Whether you’re looking to sell soon or just renovating for the future, Ellen’s got the scoop on which home improvements that will actually make you money in the long run.
Quick Tips Before You Get Started
Know when to get Professional Help: While there are quite a few projects you can manage yourself with sufficient YouTube tutelage, Ellen advises against going all in on bigger or more detailed projects. Prep work and patience will go a long way towards bringing about the proper result, and a professional is fully trained and equipped to handle the job. Ellen warns homeowners to know their limitations when undertaking a home project and to call a professional if they think a project might be too big to take on. For example, painting your walls is a project you can tackle, but repainting kitchen cabinets is another story altogether. When you’re looking for a professional to consult, where do you turn? Ellen can help!
Ask for Trusted Contractors: Ellen knows the extreme importance of hiring the right contractor. Nervous about paying top dollar for sub par? Ellen can teach you how to successfully hire the right person for the job and always has her tried and true list of trusted contractors who will provide excellent work at a fair price. Do you need someone for roofing, landscaping, plumbing? Ellen’s got a guy for that! Check out her “I’ve Got a Guy” series now or contact her online for the rest of her top-notch contractors. A referral from the right place is everything.
Taking On Extensive Renovations: Some home improvement projects are larger than others; Ellen says not to worry! Many of these in-depth renovations do not have to be done all at once; set up a plan with your contractor to stage the full upgrade over time. Don’t let a larger overall project price keep you from making the changes you want to see – especially when you could receive a large Return on Investment (ROI) from the upgrade!
Home Improvements – Ellen’s Insights:
There are so many types of home improvement projects! From big upgrades to smaller facelifts, home renovations involve different results, different costs, and different tastes. Here are Ellen’s thoughts on a few of the most popular home upgrade projects!
Landscaping: 
Landscaping is a quick way to boost your home’s curb appeal, but there are more options available to take it to the next level than you might think. Planting pretty flowers and installing some shrubs is a great move for curb appeal, but not every homeowner will want to maintain a full-blown garden. Another great option could be building a backyard paradise with hardscaping. What can really be a gamechanger is installing an outdoor kitchen or a backyard living space. You can’t go wrong with a nice back patio or deck, and, in a time when people want to (socially distanced) hang out and enjoy some fresh air, there’s nothing quite like a relaxing backyard escape or cozy firepit.
Master Bath Renovating: 
Bathroom upgrades hold the potential for a great payback. When you redo your new master bathroom it can be your new oasis.
A vanity upgrade and new floors will work absolute wonders for your bathroom’s facelift. Know yourself and your bathroom necessities and plan accordingly. Build out handy organization for your everyday go to tools and dare to dream! Many homeowners in the Brookside area choose to convert the historical “sleeping porch” of their homes into a larger master bath. Large windows and natural light will really open up the space! If you’re interested in more space savers, Ellen recommends exploring the options for trading a tub for a sleek new shower! You could also replace the old wooden cabinetry around the sink with a slender pedestal version. Whatever bathroom escape styles suit your taste, simple lines and a feeling of clean will go a long way towards upgrading your master bathroom into a relaxing retreat.
Window Replacing: 
In cities with incredible views and extreme temperatures, window replacements have a much greater attraction and purpose. Newer windows are designed to reflect sunlight, keep the house temperature controlled, and maintain a level of noise control so that you can enjoy a stable environment along with some peace and quiet. In the Kansas City market, temperatures are less extreme and the weather changes are not quite drastic enough to warrant the cost of new windows. Simply put, you may very well spend more on window replacements than you will save in heating and cooling bills.
That being said, new windows are certainly an enhancement to your living environment. For warmth and comfort, you might consider window replacements for your own enjoyment. However, if you’re looking to sell, it might be wiser to put extra money towards other projects. When it comes time to sell your home, prospective buyers will be pleased with new windows, but are quite unlikely to jump at the chance to pay top dollar for them.
Gutter Upgrading:
Gutters are a less expensive project that will increase your home’s cosmetic appeal, while also providing functionality! These “simple outdoor pipes” are essential to keeping rainwater away from your house, therefore preventing flooding in your basement or foundation. With a few simple upgrades, gutters will increase your home’s curb appeal, functionality and lifespan. Additionally, gutters should only need to be maintained about twice a year depending on how many trees are in your yard. No need to worry – Ellen’s got a guy for leaf removal too!
Hardwood Refinishing: 
With the high demand for exposed hardwoods, there has never been a better time to pull up old carpets. The grungy carpets won’t damage the hardwoods during removal, and refinishing the wood beneath isn’t as expensive as you may believe. The hardest part about refinishing your hardwoods is the presence of furniture; Ellen recommends having the refinish work done either at the start or end of owning the home – sans furniture presence. Ellen’s got a guy who can refinish your floors more reasonably than you expect. If you’re planning to refinish your hardwood floors soon, the current trend of hardwoods is leaning away from the dark floors and back towards lighter finishes.
Do you feel excited about starting some projects in your own home? Perhaps the task of beginning your own home improvements feels a bit daunting! Don’t worry – Ellen would love to help walk you through making the best choices for your home. Even if Ellen wasn’t your realtor when you bought the house, she’d love to be your first call! Contact Ellen today for insider homeowning tips or to access her list of the top contractors. If you need something done, Ellen’s got a guy!
