Tackling and completing our own home improvement projects can make the rewarding  experience of home ownership even more personal and gratifying. Many of us have grand plans for DIY projects, only to put them off for months, and even years, as we try to find both money and time. So if your dollars and hours are strictly budgeted, we suggest you start with these simple fixes.

There are a number of value-adding projects you can do at any time – even in the first year of home ownership – that will pay dividends in the long run.

#1: Painting

It is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a dramatic change to the look and feel of your home: painting. Whether you are painting indoors, outdoors, or both, this is a DIY project you don’t have to put off because of the money.

However, you don’t want to skimp on the quality of the paint. You may end up spending many extra hours and redoing the job more than once due to the quality of paint that you choose. It is well worth a little extra expense up front.

#2: Kitchen Updates

When it comes to kitchen updates, little changes go a long way. Complete kitchen remodels run into tens of thousands of dollars. You may have planned an enormous renovation for the kitchen but after researching costs, you realize your plans exceed your bank balance. That’s fine. Take a look at these affordable DIY kitchen updates that you can start right now.

• Refinish or Replace Cabinet Doors – Painted cabinets are trending right now.
• Upgrade with faux-Granite Countertops – Some of these are indistinguishable from actual granite, and they’re less trouble to maintain.
• Add New Light Fixtures – Pendant drop lights are both functional and attractive
• Install New Shelving in Empty Nooks – Above, between or beside existing cabinets.
• Embellish the Walls with Backsplashes – It’s amazing how a simple backsplash can add interest and character to an otherwise unremarkable kitchen.

#3: Easy Landscaping

Finally, why put off improving your landscaping? It doesn’t take a professional landscaper to tackle any of these easy landscaping jobs.

• Lay fertilizer and grass seed now for a beautiful spring lawn.
• Line your walkway with natural plants and flowers to accent your paths and driveway. If you don’t want to create a garden, large pots of seasonal flowers and greenery can inject tons of color.
• Install path lights around your garden, patio, and outdoor staircases to add safety and charm to your exteriors at night. There are so many solar choices now that bothering with electricity to outdoor lighting is unnecessary.
• Paint your front door – a quick, easy, and inexpensive upgrade. Make your front doorway more dramatic by adding elegant edging or fancy millwork around the archway or door frame. Add a potted shrub or small bench.

These are just a few of the many projects that you can tackle during your first year of homeownership, or over a weekend, that will not only be rewarding personally, but can add value to your home. Looking for more ideas? Your real estate agent can be a great source of information and can help you determine which projects add more value in your particular area.

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