Superficial Home Improvements
As we introduced last month, not all home improvements are created equal. Some add lasting (what we would call “enduring”) value, while other home improvements might increase the value in the short term but start depreciating immediately. These we would call “superficial” improvements. Think of it like driving a new car off the lot. The steady decline in value begins immediately.
What Are Superficial Improvements?
A superficial improvement makes your home look and feel better now but doesn’t hold its value over time. For example, you might want to upgrade your kitchen cabinets but be wary of the style and color/finish. Timeless designs (anything with straight lines – “shaker,” for example) age more gracefully, while trendier styles may look outdated quickly (think late ‘90s raised panel/oak cabinets). Just as you can make a better or worse choice for a car that might hold its value longer (Toyota vs. BMW, for example), you can also make better and worse home improvement choices.
Balancing Style and Value
When it comes to home improvements, emotions rule. We fall in love with creating beautiful, personalized spaces and rarely consider practical considerations like how our decision might someday affect resale value. But by pausing and looking to the future, you can balance personal enjoyment/style with a potentially better return on your investment.
How We Can Help
If you’re planning a home improvement, consider giving us a call. We’re here to help you make informed decisions that enhance your home’s beauty and its value. Consider us a genie who can offer insights to help you see into the future before committing to a project.
Final Thoughts
Your home is a place to create memories and find comfort. But it’s also a financial asset. By seeking advice before making big decisions, you increase your odds. If you’re going to spend money (and these days, any home improvement will be a considerable investment), we suggest you do anything you can to ensure your upgrades add value now and as far into the future as possible. If you have questions about your next home improvement project, contact us. We’ll help you make choices that keep your home lovable and valuable.
Holiday Movies
Devin fancies himself something of a holiday movie expert (his love of Hallmark movies notwithstanding) and thought you might like these three.
You might not be familiar with 8-Bit Christmas, but if you grew up in the 80s and want something light & fun, he thinks you’ll love it (and it has a great ending).
A Midnight Clear is on the other end of the “fun” spectrum. Set during WWII and the days leading up to Christmas, this movie is about young American soldiers encountering a group of German soldiers in a French forest. It’s heavy, tragic, and frankly, not much fun at all. But it’s a great movie nonetheless. (As an aside, many of the young actors in this movie went on to significant careers.)
Plains, Trains and Automobiles is a classic (and the rare Thanksgiving movie). The “Automobile” section of the movie has some of the funniest scenes ever filmed – especially this one:
Family yelling from their car: “You’re going the wrong way!” John Candy, speaking to Steve Martin in their car, “How do they know where we’re going?” I promise, it’s hilarious in the movie, and the movie is worth watching for this scene alone.
Pro tip: Consider watching the version you’ll find on AMC. They edit out the bad language; it doesn’t take away from the movie and makes it safe(r) for kids.
Top 5 Holiday Conversation Starters
Devin
- Are you involved in any long-standing traditions you hope will go the way of the Dodo? What are they and why?
- Who is your all-time favorite person to buy gifts for and why?
- Do you find the Rudolph TV special creepy or sentimental? (The stop-motion animation and story scared me as a kid, yet I’d miss it if it went away.)
- Do you agree that “Elf,” across all genres, is one of the funniest movies ever? This question also serves as a friendship test because who can relate to the person who disagrees?
- Family or no family? Some love their family and want them around at holiday gatherings. Others love their family and…have learned to feign regret when they can’t make it.
Zach
- Ask your most drama-inclined family member a loaded question; they’ll prove to be the most entertaining of the bunch every year.
- Making plans for a family vacation can be relaxing and introduce a common goal–even if nobody plans on following through.
- How’s the weather out there? Ask and you shall receive comforting witticisms or bad jokes that refuse to die, depending on perspective. Find a dad for best results.
- Worst gift ever received? bonus points if the giver is present.
- Do you like pumpkin spice? If you corner the family’s pumpkin spice lover, make it clear you feel strongly either way and settle in for a rant.