Home equity is very important in today's real estate market .

Not many people have any, and those that do often have very little. To make sure that you get the best bang for your buck in terms of equity and resale value, follow the tips and suggestions in this article.

In order to properly improve your home, you must have the best tools for the job. These are the ones that utilize metal parts inside rather than plastic. Plastic is not that durable and will be way more likely to break over a long period of time as opposed to metal.

In order to keep your drains unblocked you need to regularly clear them every month. You can take boiling water and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Slowly pour the mixture down the drain to keep your drains clear and free. It is a great and simple way to handle clogged drains.

Whether patching nail holes or fixing cracks in your walls, make sure that you apply joint compound in relatively thin coats, and sand each spot so that it's level with the wall after dries. If you are not priming the walls before painting them, apply some of the new paint over the patched spots before rolling the color onto the walls. The patched areas may absorb more paint, so giving them an extra layer at the beginning will help to ensure an even look.

Consider the costs of major renovations before you start saving money towards them. Demolition for a 1,500 square foot house will cost you around $ 6000 to start. Replacing a wall can cost about $ 10 per square foot, and that does not even include the costs of having plans drafted. Knowing this beforehand can help you determine if this is a project you really want to take on.

If you want the look of granite countertops in the kitchen but do not want to spend thousands of dollars on them, consider using granite tiles. When laid properly, high quality granite tiles can give you the granite a countertop for about 15 percent of what a granite slab countertops cost.

Take inventory of your kitchen cabinet order as soon as it arrives in your home. Make sure all of the cabinets you ordered are present, as well as all hardware, knobs and pulls. Check the finish to be sure it is correct and examine the cabinets for scratches and defects. It is far easier to fix these errors now than to discover them halfway through your remodel.

Put automatic battery-operated LED lights in your closet. You can now find these lights at the dollar stores! Some require you setting them in place with a couple of screws. Others have stick-on pads attached. These lights are designed so that they turn on when you open the closet door and shut off when you close it!

Coffee Table

You may not be blessed with a large living room, but you can sure feel like you have one. Instead of displaying a wooden coffee table, display a glass one instead. The clarity of the table makes you feel as though you have more space in your room. Make sure to only display glass in areas where there are no earthquakes.

Keep your furniture safe from drink spills and cup outlines by displaying coasters. Coasters are available in a myriad of designs and you are sure to find one to fit your taste. The most common places to use coasters would be your living room end table, coffee table, nightstand, and dining room table.

Instead of choosing a pre-made coffee table, choose something unique. Old luggage or an old chest can actually make a great storage bin as well as a one of a kind coffee table. Throw your magazines, books and accessories on top to give your coffee table definition. You can go as far as adding a tablecloth and teacups to give it a country look.

If you are looking to create a sense of tranquility in your rooms, choose light as air colors such as light purple, light green or light blue. Use linen and cotton fabric instead of heavy patterns and dark brocades. Place some potpourri on your coffee table and light a scented candle to create your own piece of tranquil heaven.

Balance the layout of your living room by arranging your furniture symmetrically. For example, opt to put your couch as a focal point, a coffee table in the middle and two lounge chairs on the opposite side of the couch-one on each side. Symmetry can also be achieved in your bedroom, by placing matching lamps and night stands, on both sides of your bed.

Using an area rug not only protects your floor, but helps highlight a piece of furniture. Use a printed area rug to call attention to a piece of furniture such as a nice, sleek sofa or an ornate coffee table that you are proud of. Make sure that the size of your area rug is not overwhelming to the point of highlighting your whole room.

With the housing market still being so depressed, it can seem like a waste of money to even do any remodeling on your home. But the truth of the matter is that buyers are still expecting a certain level of updates in the homes that they purchase. Following these tips will ensure that you have what buyers want.

Article originally published at Source by Jimmy JJ