Home Renovation Projects for Your Tax Return
Smart Houston residents have already filed their taxes for 2016 and may have already used their return checks. But before you start going through that return like a kid in a candy store, think about where you could spend that money that will benefit you in the long run. The answer to that for many in Houston is to invest that money back in their home.
To help you plan your tax refund investment, we’ve put together a few of the most beneficial home improvement projects that you can do. From new floors and shutters to getting modern appliances, these suggestions will help you get the most out of your tax return.
Get New Floors This Spring
Awesome new floors are some of the best gifts you can give your Houston home with your refund. Alongside your yearly spring cleaning, new flooring can completely transform the look and feel of your home for the new season. Just think about how a new carpet or hardwood floor could look in some of the rooms in your space.
Getting new floors is a fantastic tax return project because it naturally increases the value of your home. It’s a fact that certain flooring like real hardwood and stone or tile can up the appraisal value of a home, while a stylish new carpet or vinyl floor can improve a house’s walkthrough appeal if you’re thinking about putting your home on the market in the near future.
Spring Into New Window Coverings
Just like new flooring, a new window treatment can radically change your home’s style. But tax season is an even better time to think about window treatments, as the weather starts changing as each day passes and you begin to open your windows more often. Some of our favorite window treatments for the spring are plantation shutters and shades.
Some window treatments can even net you more money in your pocket on your next return. Polywood® plantation shutters provide such great energy efficiency that in addition to lowering your monthly AC bills, they make you eligible for energy tax credits. If new window treatments are your present to your house with your tax refund, be sure to consider energy efficiency and home value as well as how they look.
Choose Newer Appliances
After new window treatments such as shutters or putting in a new hardwood floor, what’s the next best home project to invest in? For most Houston homeowners, the answer is putting in new appliances. As with window treatments and floors, new appliances can be an eye-catching fashion statement and modernize the look of your home.
Start with your kitchen appliances. Your refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove are some of best appliances to start with when thinking about replacements, as those are typically the most-used and most visible. Be sure that any new appliance you pick has a complementary look. For instance, stainless steel appliances look modern while still being relatively neutral, so even if you refinish your countertops or choose a new color scheme, your appliances complement the decor just the same.
