Thinking about listing your home this year? Now is a great time to start tackling a few home improvement projects to help increase your property’s value!  

1. Add a fresh coat of paint: A coat of paint or some new wallpaper can go a long way when it comes to making your home feel and look brand new. 
2. Refresh your kitchen: Many buyers zero in on the kitchen as a central feature of a home. That means if your kitchen is outdated, taking the time to refresh appliances and updating the décor can make a huge difference on your potential selling price.  
3. Clean and declutter: When it comes to listing your home, deep cleaning is one of the best (and most affordable) ways to add extra value! Take this opportunity to dust in high places, wash your baseboards, give floors a good mop, and haul excess junk and clutter to a donation center.  
4. Work on your curb appeal: Simple additions like some new plants, outdoor lighting, a refreshed walkway, or a spruced-up porch can be an affordable way to make a great first impression on potential buyers.  
5. Refinish any hardwood floors: Refinishing old hardwood floors is another great way to add value to the home to get them in top shape for new homeowners. 
6. Add usable square footage: Homes are usually priced by the amount of livable square footage they contain — so it just makes sense to add more usable space when possible! This means finishing any unfinished basements, building a separate guest suite, or adding a new bathroom are all great ways to help increase the value of your home. 
7. Make your home more energy-efficient: Investing in energy-efficient appliances is a great way to lower your living cost and appeal to potential buyers who are looking to do the same. 

Winter can be hard on your yard — leaving your grass, shrubs, and trees weak and full of debris after months of colder temperatures. While your current curb appeal situation may seem dire, with the right preparations, you can make sure your lawn comes back fuller and lusher than ever this spring! 

1. Rake any fallen leaves: Raking is one of the first things you should do to help encourage new growth throughout your lawn. Using a flexible leaf rake, rake thoroughly, but gently, to remove any fallen debris and break up and dead grass patches.  
2. Access your soil: Now that you’ve raked away any debris, use this opportunity to test your soil and ensure it has a neutral pH. You can easily test your soil with a home test kit. Once you know the pH balance of your soil, you can take steps to address any issues before spring truly begins.  
3. Prune any broken or dead tree limbs: Heavy snow and ice impact your trees during the winter. As you prepare your yard for the spring season, make sure you’ve taken the time to trim back any broken, diseased, or dead branches that could cause bigger issues in the future.  
4. Clear out weeds: It’s never too early to start weeding your garden! You can also use this time to spray a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent future weeds from popping up in your garden in the warmer months.  
5. Clean up your warm weather lawn tools: Pull out any of your spring or summer yard tools like your lawn mower or weed trimmers and ensure they are in top shape. Early spring is a great time to sharpen your lawn mower blades and replace any broken parts before you’ll need to use them more regularly.