13 Life Lessons From Classic Holiday Movies and TV Specials

Holiday movies and TV specials can teach us how to live better and enjoy more happiness year round. So after you’re out decking the halls and viewing the Christmas light displays around the MetroWest area, settle in for some of these important life lessons from a few old favorites and some other works that may be less well known.

 "How the Grinch Stole Christmas": 

Sing joyfully. Before he had his change of heart, singing was what the Grinch liked least of all. Surround yourself with the music of the season and sing along. 

Resist commercial pressures. The Grinch learned that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Focus on the true meaning of the holidays by sharing time with loved ones and looking for ways to make others happy. 

Let your heart grow bigger. Dr. Seuss suspected that the Grinch suffered from a heart two sizes too small. As soon as it grew three sizes larger he brought back the toys he stole, put everything right and got to love his new friends in Whoville. 

"It's a Wonderful Life": 

Recognize that one person can make a difference. While the challenges around us can seem overwhelming sometimes, we all create our own environment. George Bailey leads a modest life, but he prevents good old Bedford Falls from turning into a sleazy Pottersville.

 Celebrate the potential to create better outcomes. With all the talk about "toxic" people, we may sometimes overlook the fact that we all possess a mix of constructive and destructive qualities. By appealing to the good in people, George helps them to succeed in every walk of life. 

Welcome help from others. As powerful as George is, he still needs Clarence, the angel, to help him through a rough night. Regardless of whatever weaknesses you possess, you can still serve as somebody's angel if you're willing to reach out.

 "A Christmas Carol": 

Teach old dogs new tricks. We may sometimes feel that our habits are too ingrained to change. Scrooge proves that a life of stinginess can give way to one of kindness even late in life. 

Pay attention to your dreams. We spend about one-third of our life sleeping. Put that time to good use by listening to what your dreams may be trying to tell you. Come to terms with your past. Recognize the unhealthy patterns that get between you and greater happiness. Scrooge's greed cost him his first love. You may need to become more generous to transform your own relationships. 

Become more resilient. The Cratchit family remains cheerful in spite of their poverty. Tiny Tim appreciates his blessings even though he's poor and crippled. If we bear our hardships with patience, we can protect our peace of mind.

Other Holiday Programs and Movies: 

Focus on others. Steven Spielberg's cartoon, "Pinky and the Brain," is about more than a laboratory mouse trying to take over the world. The friendship between the two mice shines through when Pinky writes to Santa saying it's okay to forget about him and just give Brain what he wants. 

Work for world peace. The true story of the 1914 Christmas truce is captured in "Joyeux Noel." If German, French and Scottish troops can call a ceasefire on one Christmas Eve, maybe we can all be more peaceful. 

Believe in Santa Claus. "Miracle on 34th Street" looks like it was ahead of its time in questioning consumerism. It's also timeless in affirming the importance of faith. Plus, it may offer the best legal argument for believing in Santa Claus. 

Many of us look forward to watching our favorite holiday movies and specials each year. It's a great way to revisit their inspiring messages and share them with our children. 

Massachusettes, and especially the MetroWest Area, has plenty of local shops and markets for your gift buying.  But still, the holiday season is one of the busiest online shopping times of the year. It’s also one of the most dangerous to your financial safety because online criminals are in full force during the holidays. Even so, you can stay safe and enjoy your online holiday shopping by taking some easy precautions. 

Following these tips will help you keep your identity and financial accounts safe from scammers and prying eyes: 

Watch your Smartphone carefully. Do you use your Smartphone to make purchases online? 

• Before you let a friend, family member, or stranger borrow your phone, ensure you’ve logged out of every program and website. 
• It’s easy for someone to steal your identity online by using your logged-in credentials on a Smartphone. You may want to set up and download apps that lock your phone if it’s lost or stolen. These apps can prevent thieves from stealing your information. Search your favorite app store for security apps designed for your phone. 

Watch out for fake shopping websites and emails. Fake websites and emails can steal your personal information before you even realize that the website isn’t real. 

• Verify every website you use to do your online shopping. 
• Be careful before you click on any links in your email. These may be scams created to harvest your personal data. 
• Ensure the websites you use are secure and have security certificates that 1 are up to date. Secure sites encrypt your personal financial information to help you keep it safe. 

Pay attention to your accounts. Identity thieves have learned that they can make smaller transactions online, and you may not notice them. These small transactions also verify active accounts. If these small transactions go unnoticed, they go on to steal even more. 

• Keep an eye on all of your online accounts. If you see any transactions you don’t recognize, call your bank or the merchant that holds the account immediately. 
  

Avoid public computers and networks. It’s safer to shop online during the holidays at home on your personal devices. 

• You may not be able to tell if a public computer or network has been hacked by identity thieves. They may have set up keylogging software that can capture every bit of information you type. They may have also infected the machines with malware or viruses to steal your data. 

Avoid using your debit card. It’s safer to use a credit card for shopping online. Credit cards have stronger safety and consumer protection measures than debit cards. 

• If a thief gets hold of your debit card number, they can drain your bank account in minutes, yet it can take days, weeks, or months for your bank to replace your lost funds. 
• On the other hand, with a credit card, they run up your balances, but the fraudulent charges are taken off again when you report them right away. 

Pay attention to the privacy policies. Legitimate websites have privacy policies that state that they protect your financial information. If you’re using a website to shop during the holidays and don’t see any type of privacy policy, then it may be a sign of a scam. 

Print your online receipts or save them. Saving all your receipts enables you to 2 keep track of your purchases. You can compare these receipts to any charges you don’t recognize on your accounts. 

Be careful on social media. Your social media friends may share amazing deals during the holiday shopping season. It’s smart to check these deals out ahead of time with your friends to ensure they are really deals that they recommended to you. Social media networks are also vulnerable to identity thieves. You can shop online safely and protect your identity at the same time.

Stay safe as you browse for gifts and enjoy the holiday season. 

When you’re an adult, you think about certain things. “What will my profession be?” for example. “How do I know where I want to live? Who should I marry?” However, there is much more to consider than that list, such as thinking about your loved ones, including your aged grandparents. 

Living in a large, busy Massachusetts city will impact their quality of life just as much as their deteriorating vision, hearing, and mobility. Friends and relatives are often too preoccupied with their own families or occupations to pay the extra attention required to keep their older loved ones safe. 

Simple Changes Around The House 

People are both concerned and frustrated at the idea of their aging grandparents becoming a little forgetful or unstable on their feet. Simple modifications around the house can make a vast difference in your family and loved ones, helping them feel safer and more independent. 

Start With a Home Safety Audit 

A home safety audit is a comprehensive assessment of potential hazards in and around the house. Anything that could cause bodily injury, produce a fire or flooding in the home, or compromise safety by making it simple for intruders are all potential hazards. 

Based on the result, you may need to make some physical changes to their living space. 

These changes may include: 

Decluttering your home. Throw out old clothes, expired food, and other unwanted stuff. Starting with the psychological relief, the payback from being organized is significant. 

Provide adequate lighting. In gloomy rooms or hallways, provide some extra lighting. Residents in senior care homes can experience changes in their mood, health, and well-being because of lighting. 

• Safety and visual performance can coexist. The elderly can see better, avoid falls, and sleep better with proper illumination. 

Keep them connected. If they don’t already have one, get them a cell phone. Encourage them to use technology to stay in touch with family, doctors, and other caretakers. 

Ensure a watchful eye is kept on them. Connect with their neighbors to look out for each other. The simplest way to curb loneliness is to have people around to support and engage them.  

• “Social Capital” has been long known for the ties that build trust, connection, and participation. This link is important for the elderly, because both our health and our social capital decline as we age. 

Provide adequate security. Think of installing a security system. Apart from the primary goal of crime prevention, these security systems also give protection from risks, aid them in maintaining a more efficient home, and increase their ability to remain independent. 

Educate them. If at all workable, teach them how to use shopping and meal delivery services. Technology is making life easier by the day, and you may experiment with it to see if you can extend the benefits to your grandparents as well. 

You and your family may need to change your approach to caring for your grandparents as they age, but love never changes. 

Help your aging grandparents stay safe and independent at home. 

Regardless of your activities, be ready to connect with them to put them at ease. Your love for your grandparents will help you be supportive, and they will appreciate it. 

Have you had any thoughts about selling your home in the upcoming months or years?   

Historically the ‘Spring’ real estate market begins in mid-January and is really in full force by mid-March. In New England, the exact timing does depend on the weather but is never too early to start planning! 
  
If you or someone you know is considering selling their property in the spring of 2023, NOW is the time to start the process. Even if you feel your home is in order, make sure you are doing all you can to get the most money possible!  

Here are some suggestions that you may not have thought of:

1. Contact me NOW for a confidential meeting where I will develop a customized plan for YOUR home. This will include low-cost suggestions that can make a big difference in price. 
2. Start decluttering, room by room, taking away all personal items and pictures. If you think it looks empty you are on the right track! 
3. Look at your landscaping and take care of overgrown bushes and weeds. More may need to be done as your list date approaches but get a head start now. 
4. Paint or touch up the interior and exterior of your home if needed. This will go a long way in obtaining top dollar. 
5. Consider hiring a Home Inspector prior to listing to create a list of items that you may not have known were an issue and therefore eliminate any major surprises once a Buyer is obtained. 
6. Reach out to me for Contractors' information as soon as possible to get on their schedule. I have many names of people and companies that have been used by my past Buyers and Sellers. It is better than looking blindly on the internet! 
7. Check out Coldwell Banker Realty’s RealVitalize program. This program is designed to help homeowners get projects done in their homes without paying for them until closing. Contact me for more details. 

I am always here to discuss your specific needs. I have many Clients who I am working with that have no immediate plans on moving but would like to know what they can do NOW or in the coming months and years to get the most for their money when they are ready. Call or text me right away to discuss this! Don’t forget, getting top dollar takes planning and I am here to help with that from beginning to end! 

Download the flyer below for more helpful information!

Recently I've given you a few home remodeling ideas, if you'd like to have them all, and a couple more, all in one convenient booklet then you're in luck. Here are a few ideas on remodeling your living room and then at the end there's a link where you can request the booklet of all the projects.

There are two types of living rooms: the one that people actually live in, and the formal-type room that only gets used a few times each year. The latter rarely gets worn out, and is more likely to simply go out of style. The first room is designed for living. Ensure your makeover is appropriate.

Create the living room of your dreams:

Art. A great way to liven up a living room is with art. There are numerous options available, and many are very inexpensive. Art can vary from an impressionist-style piece to a large photograph of your family.

• Local art fairs can be a great way of picking up something unique without spending a lot.

Reupholster. New furniture can be expensive, but purchasing some fabric and reupholstering your furniture can be done for a very reasonable cost. 

• Worn-out cushions? Furniture-quality foam can be used to spruce up an old couch or chair. Use the old cushion as a model and cut a new one.

Window treatments. Those little metal or plastic Venetian blinds are handy and functional, but not particularly attractive. Wider, wooden blinds that are more attractive can be part of a $1,000 makeover budget. Stylish curtains are also a nice touch.

Accent Furniture. Accent furniture could be defined as items that are intended to primarily function as decoration. However, some accent furniture can be functional, too.

• A unique chair, table, lamp, room divider, vase, or other accent piece can dramatically change the look of a room.
• With so many unusual styles available, you can find something that will be a regular topic of conversation.

Walls. Of course, you can go the paint or wallpaper route. But what about texture? Try using metal, textured ceiling panels on a wall and then paint. What about painting one wall a unique color and keeping the other three a little tamer?

Rearrange. You probably remember coming home from school and finding your mom had completely rearranged the furniture. It drastically changes the look of a room. Some have a better eye than others. Think of your more stylish friends and enlist their help.

Flooring. A living room is conducive to a wide variety of flooring options. 

• Carpeting and laminate flooring are easy to install with a few simple tools. The costs can vary depending on the type of flooring.
• Real wood flooring is usually more costly and requires a more precise install. It also requires maintenance.
• Tile is a unique option for a living room and requires little in the way of tools beyond a tile saw, which can be purchased or rented.
• Furniture. It’s easy to quickly blow a $1,000 budget with furniture, but there’s a lot of used furniture on the market. You might have to search around to find what you’re looking for, but it’s likely out there somewhere.

Rug. Think about buying an area rug to put over your existing floor. It really changes the look of the room, and the cost can be minimal.

Ceiling. Many nicer homes have a unique living room ceiling. Your local building supply store has ceiling tiles that can create a dramatic effect.

Trim. Although most trim is very inexpensive, it has a profound effect on the appearance of a room. If you want to make a statement, you might want to try putting trim around the ceiling rather than just around the floor. This will make your home stand out from other homes.

The living room is another great room to choose for a makeover. Your family likely spends every evening in this room. If you’re making over a room, it only makes sense to start with one that you spend a lot of time in.

Include all the family members in the planning of your new family room. Kids sometimes have the best ideas. Be sure you hear them all.

If you'd like to request the Budget Room Makeover booklet go HERE!

Everyone wants to improve on their home. The list is usually a mile long. But most people don’t have an endless supply of money and time to make this happen. Hence the FAQ:

What can I do in one weekend with a $1000 budget to make an improvement?

Many projects are brought to mind but your house has an exterior, too. Remember that everyone can see your yard and the outside of your house. If you want to impress the neighbors, this might be the place to start.

1. Paint: With a $1,000 budget, painting is the only exterior option that works. Whether your home is brick or siding, it can still be painted. Even vinyl siding can be painted with the appropriate paint. All that’s required is a few brushes and a ladder, in most cases.
   
   
2. Mulch: Mulch is cheap, or even free in some cities during certain times of the year. Those old flower beds will look a lot better with a layer of mulch.
   
   
3. New numbers: Every house ought to have the address clearly posted. It’s easier for the pizza delivery person, fire department, and the police to find your house. There are even a variety of different font options that add to the overall look of your house.
   
4. New mailbox: It’s not uncommon to see a beautiful home with a mailbox that looks like it was run over by a truck. If the mailbox is in good structural shape, consider giving it a coat of paint.
   
   
5. Flowers, shrubs, trees: Depending on the variety and season, these are inexpensive ways to add to the curb appeal of your home. Ensure that you’re purchasing plants that will thrive in your particular soil and climate.
   
   
6. Planters: Whether under a window or sitting on your patio, planters are attractive, mobile, and inexpensive.
   
   
7. Clean up: Many yards would benefit from a simple clean-up. Trim the grass around the house, trees, fence, and driveway. Pick up all the sticks. Then, plant grass seed on the bare patches. Pull the weeds. Fertilize the lawn. Keep the grass cut to the proper length. Pick up anything else that doesn’t belong in the yard. Throw out the broken porch swing and toys that nobody uses anymore.

Many of these tasks are entirely free and only require sweat equity.

When the weather is nice, landscaping and other outdoor projects can be very enjoyable. Consider the weather and season when planning your outdoor makeover activities. It can be tough to do gardening or painting in the middle of a thunderstorm.

“The house has to please everyone, contrary to the work of art, which does not. 

The work is a private matter for the artist. The house is not.”

- Adolf Loos

Those are all great but what’s the damage?

Again, landscaping projects are the first thing people might notice. But, we said our budget was only $1,000. Let’s see how the above might break down:

1. Clean up the yard – Free: Take the time to clean up around your yard and make it look great! 
   
2. Grass seed - $10 – Five pounds of grass seed is enough to cover 500-1,000 square feet.
   
   
3. Trees - $90: Five, 2-gallon trees will set you back roughly $18 each. This is the average price for various pine and fruit trees.
   
   
4. Flowers - $75: A decent sized rose bush is $20, depending on the variety. Chrysanthemums are only $8 each, which would cost $40 if you bought five of them. A fifty-pack of tulip bulbs is $15.
   
   
5. Mailbox and post - $60: Pick one you like. A new post is around $25.
   
   
6. Exterior paint - $160: A 5-gallon bucket containing a combination of paint and primer is $70 for white. Colored paint will set you back $160 for 5 gallons. That’s enough paint for a 2,000 square foot home.
   
   
7. Mulch - $15: Two cubic feet of mulch can be found for $3. This price is by the bag. A truckload would cost much less per cubic foot. A large 4x15 flower bed would require 10 cubic feet of mulch to have 2” of coverage. Five bags would cost around $15.
   
   
8. Planters - $150: Planters can range from less than $1 to several hundred dollars. A very nice planter is in the $50 range. Let’s use three of them.
   

If you add that all up, the total is only $560! When you’ve physically recovered from all the hard work, you could spend the other $440 on a few more beautifying projects. 

A lot can be done to enhance the landscaping and exterior of your home without spending a bundle. With the weather getting nicer, now is the time to tackle the outdoor projects. 

Every Sudbury home has at least one bathroom. Fortunately, most bathrooms are relatively small, which cuts down on the cost of materials and time needed to do a makeover. The kid’s bathroom can be a safe place to start your first remodeling attempt.

Keep in mind that different bathrooms have different decorating needs.

A bathroom for the kids needs to be functional and easy to clean. Your master bathroom can be more luxurious. A half-bath for guests might require a bit more formality.

Check out these great ideas for the bathroom:

Vanity: The vanity is the centerpiece of any bathroom. Some vanities come with sinks, and others allow you to choose a sink. Some provide storage. Now might be the time to try something daring.

•  Vanities can be very easy to install, depending on what you’re currently using. Investigate the amount of work involved. If you can avoid tearing into the wall, your life will be much easier.

Sink and tub faucets: Just like in the kitchen, a new faucet can be an inexpensive way to update the bathroom.

Toilet: Toilets are surprisingly inexpensive and also very easy to install. Turn off and disconnect the hoses at the toilet, remove a few bolts, and lift it out. The new one goes in the same way, but you’ll need a new wax seal. Have you always wanted to try a bidet?

Towel racks: New towel racks and a new toilet paper holder are simple and inexpensive to replace. Try to find something unique.

Shower door: Those sliding shower doors eventually reach the point of needing replacement. Or perhaps you have a shower curtain and want to go to doors. While replacing an entire shower or tub can be a big job, replacing or installing doors is relatively easy.

Flooring: Now is the time to remove the carpeting that the previous owners installed. High moisture and indoor carpeting don’t go together.

• The bathroom is a great room to tile. It’s a smaller room, so the material costs are low. Specially treated tile provides excellent water resistance and good footing.
  
  
• Linoleum tile is another option. While a rollout floor is a possibility, there’s a lot of precise cutting involved to work around the vanity and toilet. One mistake can put you back at square one.

 Miscellaneous decorations: Most bathroom walls are pretty bare, so consider using the space for something. Keep in mind the humidity levels. For example, photographs tend to curl in such conditions.

• Come up with something unique for the back of the toilet besides using it as a place to stockpile toilet paper.

 Most bathrooms are small, can be made over quickly, and will only require a minimal outlay of cash. Remember that anything in a bathroom is likely to get wet at some point. Certain items don’t fare well in the bathroom.

“As much as I would love to be a person that goes to parties and has a couple of drinks and has a nice time, that doesn't work for me. I'd just rather sit at home and read, or go out to dinner with someone, or talk to someone I love, or talk to somebody that makes me laugh.”

- Daniel Radcliffe

That time of year when we all start planning our summer vacations.  Although family vacations can be a little frustrating at times, they’re the source of many comical and pleasant memories. Whether you plan to go to the beach, the mountains, or even the big city, you can take a memorable family vacation that’s low-stress and fun for everyone. 

Keep these tips in mind to reduce stress on your next family vacation: 

Plan ahead. Planning is a very important part of any vacation. Take into account the individual needs of your kids and arm yourself with whatever is necessary to take care of them while on vacation. 

• For example, if your four-year-old takes naps, bring along the stuffed animal they sleep with at home as their “comfort” item. For your teen, ensure they have their favorite hand-held electronic device to pass the travel time. 

Set up a flexible schedule for each vacation day. When you have a day-to-day plan, kids can look forward to things they want to do. Plan a special kid activity for each day. 

• Work in an hour or so of swimming in the hotel’s pool each day or going to play miniature golf. Exercise keeps stress levels low and expends excess energy, especially for kids. Think of play time as de-compression time for kids.  
• To see some sights, consider taking a bus tour. Everyone sits down, which relieves aching feet from walking, while still exploring the new surroundings. 
• With kids, visiting just one museum per day may be your best bet. If it rains on a day you planned to go to the water park, switch to another day’s plans to see a movie or do another indoor activity. Also, every third or fourth day, plan an easy day where you sleep late, hang out at the hotel, or take short walks around the area. Plan some low-stress days. 

Expect the unexpected. It’s a positive experience for kids to learn that, sometimes, even the best planning is affected by weather, mistakes made by the hotel, and other events out of your control. Talk to your kids in advance about these unplanned possibilities. 

Delegate responsibilities to each child. Maybe your twelve-year-old can be assigned to keep the eight-year-old occupied while at the airport. Or your teen can be in charge of watching over Mom and Dad’s luggage when they go to the restroom or magazine shop before take-off. 

Before traveling, brainstorm with your kids about how to solve potential challenges. Ask ten-year-old Johnnie what he can do to ensure his fourteen-year-old sister, Corrina, gets along well with him. Talk to Corrina about what she might do to make Johnnie happy. 

• Tell your kids that you’re counting on them to make the trip as enjoyable as possible. 

Change seating arrangements during travel. Whether you’re flying, taking a train, or traveling by car, switch up the seating every half-day or so. Sit in the back seat with your five-year-old daughter while your eleven-year-old son sits in the front with Dad until lunch. 

• Then, change seats after lunch. Consistent seat-changing can freshen up conversations and ease tensions between the kids. 
  

Take surprise items. For each child, pack new, unseen items to thrill and distract them from the monotony of travel. Trinkets like sticker books for younger kids, word puzzles for eight- to twelve-year-olds, and magazines for teens help the time pass.

•  A book about a child’s favorite subjects or even a new game for their hand-held device can be a godsend when stress starts to trickle in. 

Apply these strategies on your next family vacation. Everyone will be happier and your trip will be virtually stress-free. Start planning a family get-away now. 

The kitchen is a unique room. There’s a lot of traffic coming and going at all times of the day, and there are also many expensive appliances that could potentially need to be replaced. It’s impossible to change everything with only $1,000.

Fortunately, there are numerous creative ideas that can be done to spice up a kitchen in Sudbury, MA, even with a strict budget.

Try these weekend kitchen projects on for size:

Paint or wallpaper: Most people know how to paint. Fewer know how to wallpaper. With a little effort, anyone can make their kitchen walls look new. Kitchens can be challenging to paint since there are so many things to paint around. But on a positive note, there’s usually only a small amount of wall space.

Backsplash: It’s possible to make a simple or fancy backsplash with a small investment. The cost is determined by the tile and the size. A backsplash is a great way to create a kitchen with a custom appearance.

• A backsplash does a much better job of protecting the wall than paint or wallpaper. It also provides a great visual impact.
  
  

New countertops: High-end countertops can often be found in the used market. Many of these fancy countertops come out of larger homes, so there’s probably plenty of material. You might need an expert to cut it for you, but the cost is minimal.

• Depending on the material, new countertops can be quite inexpensive. Fortunately, they are easy to install. Assuming everything was level when you removed the old top, there’s little to do besides some gluing and cutting.
  
  

New light fixtures: Many people are afraid to deal with anything electrical, but there are only a few wires to connect. Turn on the old light and trip the breakers until the light goes out. Then turn off the switch and you’ll be super safe.

• Find a video online or a book at the library on simple electrical projects. If you can use a screwdriver and join a few wires together, you’re all set.
  
  
• Electrical projects can actually be among the easiest to complete. There’s nothing to cut or anything else that requires significant talent or skill.
  
  

New flooring: Flooring projects can be challenging for two reasons. First of all, ripping up old flooring can be exhausting and frustrating. Furthermore, installing new flooring usually involves crawling around on your hands and knees for prolonged periods of time.

• There are tools designed to scrape up old floors, particularly anything laid with adhesive. It can be worth the expense to invest in these tools. Renting is also an option. Kneepads are another worthwhile investment.
  
  
• Check out books or videos on flooring to learn all the tricks of laying down tiles. However, choosing a random-patterned rollout floor eliminates this burden.
  
  

Paint cabinets or appliances: You may have seen people paint kitchen cabinets, but you may not know that it’s possible to paint your refrigerator or other appliances, too! A fresh coat of paint is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to spruce up the appliances in your kitchen.

Install new cabinets: Maybe a coat of paint isn’t enough for the plans you have in mind. New cabinets are pretty easy to install, as long as you get everything straight and level. Depending on the cabinets, it can cost more for the installation than for the cabinets themselves.

New hardware: If time or money is tight, consider just changing all the hardware on your cabinets. New pulls, knobs, and hinges can bring cabinets up to date.

Build a bar. A cool way to update a kitchen is to add a bar. Even though they can be fairly easy to build, you’ll probably need a book or friend to help, unless you’re experienced with construction. The cost of the materials is minimal.

A kitchen is a great place to start any home makeover because few rooms are used more. If you can simultaneously make the kitchen more functional, it’s win-win.

Since kitchen makeovers are common, it’s possible to find a lot of used items at great prices. Are you planning a kitchen makeover? I’d love to know how it goes.

“It may be that the satisfaction I need depends on my going away, 

so that when I've gone and come back, I'll find it at home.”

- Rumi

The Top 6 Home Improvements with the Best Return

Many home improvements are little more than money pits. Some improvements don’t even appeal to many homebuyers. Over $200 billion is spent every year on home renovations, but how many of those dollars are spent in a way that truly improves the value of the Sudbury, MA home?

Many people are shocked at how little their improvements added to the sales price of their home.

Some home improvements can boost your home’s resale value and the level of comfort you experience while you're still living there. Unfortunately, there are other improvements that can cost thousands of dollars and provide little to no return.

These home improvements are likely to pay off better than any other:

 New siding. From an investment standpoint, fiber cement siding is the way to go. Vinyl siding can crack over time, and aluminum siding ultimately ends up with dents. Even with professional installation, this is still a cost-effective upgrade.

New front door. Fiberglass doors are very expensive, but a mid-range steel door looks great and can easily be painted to match your home. The more simple the door, the lower the cost. But steel doors are so inexpensive that you can afford to pick up something nice.

Garage door replacement. While no one gets excited about replacing their garage door, some jobs just need to be done. A mid-quality garage door will add to your curb appeal and improve the functionality and sales price of your home. Garage doors are easily painted, too.

Wood deck. Nearly everyone loves to sit out on a deck when the weather permits. It’s the perfect transition between indoors and the outside. It effectively adds living space, and the material costs are quite low.

 If you’re handy with a circular saw, tape measure, and hammer or drill, you might be able to install your deck yourself.

New windows. Newer windows eliminate drafts, reduce radiant heat in the summer, and provide much better insulation than older-style windows. They look great, too! While windows can be expensive, the payback is quite good. Compare costs and the amount of insulation. The utility savings can be impressive.

Fresh interior paint. Although paint is relatively inexpensive, the labor can be pricey. Fortunately, anyone can tackle this task on their own. You’ll save a lot of money and your house will look great. Take your time and you can do a great job.

 Stick to neutral colors that everyone can accept. If you’ll be selling soon, now isn’t the time for unusual colors.

Unless you’re planning on staying in your home for an extended period of time, it’s important to consider how your improvements will affect the sales price of your home. Many improvements do little to increase the value of your home. However, if you’ll be in your home for many years, it’s completely reasonable to place a priority on the enjoyment you’ll receive from the upgrade.

 Being the nicest house on the block might be great for the ego, but it’s hard on the pocketbook. Avoid adding features to your home that aren’t appropriate for your neighborhood. If you’re in a middle-class setting, remodeling projects common to luxury homes are likely to be financial disasters.

 A little forethought will ensure that your home improvements make your home more attractive, livable, and valuable. Research the costs and expected payback of any improvements you’re considering. Remember to examine the cost of labor. Nearly any project can provide a nice return, especially if you can do the work yourself.

Have questions? Let’s talk about it. Reach out any time.