Home remodeling projects that boost curb appeal pay off the most

Home renovation activity may have cooled somewhat compared with its pandemic-era frenzy, but homeowners are still investing in their spaces, particularly as the spring housing market heats up.

And when it comes to the return on investment, some projects now offer the highest return values in history — with a few home upgrades averaging returns of nearly 200% for the first time ever — according to the 2024 Cost vs. Value report from Zonda Media, a housing market research and analytics firm.

Garage door replacements offered the highest average return at 194%, followed by upgrading to a steel front door,

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Do this to pay for emergency home repairs

Emergency home repairs can cost you thousands of dollars and easily break your budget. That’s why our viewer Chris reached out to Rossen Reports, asking, “What’s the best way to pay for an emergency home repair without draining your savings?”First, always check your homeowner’s insurance to see what’s covered. Also, see if you’re eligible for any government assistance programs, especially programs managed by your town or county. Then, pay for whatever you can upfront in cash. Experts recommend saving 1 to 4% of your home’s value to cover any emergency costs that arise.If you have an expensive repair or you’re … Read more

How Your Home Can Pay For Emergency Repairs

Steve Cicero/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate

Key takeaways

  • Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit can be an option to help cover emergency home repair costs.
  • Benefits of using HE loans and HELOCs include lower interest rates, longer repayment terms and possible tax deductions.
  • Downsides of home equity financing include putting your home up as collateral and diluting your ownership stake.

As a homeowner, maintaining an emergency savings account is a good way to be prepared for the unexpected home repairs that inevitably arise from time to time. With  emergency savings at the ready, you can

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25 Easy Home Repairs You Should Never Pay Someone Else to Do

Photo: istockphoto.com

Making small repairs from time to time is part and parcel of owning a home. While you can spend hundreds, or even thousands, each year to have a professional handle these odd jobs, tackling them on your own is a better option. Common repairs like fixing a clogged drain, changing out an old light fixture, and repairing a leaky faucet are relatively easy tasks that you can take care of on your own. Below are 25 easy repairs never to pay someone else for.

1. Silencing a Squeaky Door Hinge

Putting lubricant on door hinge

Photo: istockphoto.com

No one likes a squeaky door.

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Mortgages and loans to pay for home renovations

Key takeaways

  • There are multiple loan options for people who want to borrow money to improve or renovate their home.

  • Loans that use your home as collateral, including home equity loans and HELOCs, can have tax advantages.

  • Loans that don’t rely on home equity are also an option, but typically have higher interest rates.

  • Some loans even allow you to finance a home purchase and renovation simultaneously.

Whether you’re looking to renovate your kitchen, install a home office or finish your basement, any major home improvement is going to require some major money.

You don’t have to wait until you

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