Warmer weather and brighter days are now in bloom as we transition into spring. Many Americans are also receiving or have already received a third stimulus payment. After a year of COVID-19 restrictions and a boom in the amount of new and refinanced mortgages, your stimulus check is coming at an opportune time to make improvements to your home.
Your first consideration should be if you can afford to utilize your stimulus payment for home improvements. If your work situation is fluid or you have outstanding debts, it probably makes more sense to put these funds towards those more immediate obligations. But, if you have a healthy savings account and your cash flow (income coming in versus bill payments going out) is steady, it’s worth considering making necessary improvements.
We have 4 ideas for ways to put your $1,400 stimulus check to good use by making improvements to your home while also increasing its value. This way, you’re fixing things you’ve been thinking about and investing this money for your long-term benefit.
Complete Needed Repairs
There have been many unexpected life events for all of us over the past year. For many homeowners, repair projects and home improvements got pushed to the wayside as other, more important tasks took priority.
As home and work-life begin to return to normal, one way you can put your stimulus check to good use is to tackle those to-do list items you’ve been pushing back. If you have an affordable project, such as new flooring for a room, fixing plumbing issues, or replacing a door or windows, you can use these funds to finally get them done. You’ll get that feeling of accomplishment and enjoy the benefits of your newly renovated space.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Appliances can be a major part of your home’s appeal. They can complete your kitchen or add functionality to simplify your daily tasks. If you’ve been dreaming about upgrading to a refrigerator that allows remote access to see what’s inside, a smart trash can that will automatically create shopping lists from the things you toss out, or some other futuristic home gadget, you can use your stimulus check to have it delivered right to your door.
Major appliances, like a dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, washer, or dryer, add to the value of your home if you include them in a future sale. Smaller, smart appliances like a Wi-Fi enabled coffee maker, intelligent oven, or robot vacuum are still a great use of your money because, although they might not increase your home’s resale value, they can dramatically improve your productivity, make your daily tasks easier, and they’re fun!
Give Your Yard A Makeover
Flowers are starting to bloom, and trees are regaining their leaves. Even so, you might have bigger ambitions for your home garden. After all, the outside of your home is the first thing people will see.
Planting new trees, shrubs, and flowers or adding in brick pavers and mulch are all ways to put your stimulus check to work on improving your house’s outdoor appeal. Other items to spruce up your yard include outdoor furniture sets, hammocks, canopies, and lighting.
Your stimulus payment can help provide a comfortable budget or a good head start for most basic lawn improvement projects.
Repaint With A Fresh, New Color Scheme
A common way homeowners make an older house feel fresh and new again is through a new paint job. Trends have probably evolved since you last painted, so you can use your stimulus funds to incorporate today’s styles while keeping those timeless aspects about your home that you love.
If you have the time and enjoy painting, you can keep this idea within a budget that might not require much more than your $1,400 payment. Or, if you’re more inclined to hire a professional, you’ll still have a considerable amount to put towards paying for a painter. In either case, you’re sure to feel the reinvigorating energy that comes with seeing your home in a new light.
When it comes to home improvement projects, it seems like the ideas are endless. Our goal was to offer some ideas to show you how to improve your home and invest your stimulus check in a worthwhile way. We hope this is just the starting point for a home improvement project that will help you love your house even more.
The included content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional advice. Additional terms and conditions apply. Not all applicants will qualify. Consult with a finance professional for tax advice or a mortgage professional to address your mortgage questions or concerns. This is an advertisement. Prepared 4/8/2021.