Considering Home Improvements? Out-of-the-Ordinary Upgrades Can Enhance Livability and Value by - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Considering Home Improvements? Out-of-the-Ordinary Upgrades Can Enhance Livability and Value

By ,
July 13, 2015 at 01:58pm. Views: 253

Perhaps your home is in pretty good shape - newish roof, well-maintained furnace and air-conditioning, and fresh paint throughout. Or maybe you've bought a brand-new house that's move-in ready. Even though you don't really need to do a thing to the home, you may still have the urge to update. But what can you do when everything is already just about perfect? Engaging in some out-of-the-ordinary upgrades can enhance a home's livability, your enjoyment of it and - in some cases - its resale value down the road. Before you settle on an upgrade, ask yourself these key questions: * Will it improve the home's livability? * Will it improve the healthfulness or security of the home environment? * Is it a special feature that appeals to your lifestyle? * How difficult/easy will it be to maintain? * Does it have hidden dollar value? Here are some out-of-the-ordinary improvements that can increase enjoyment of a home while adding value: Skylights Skylights are a surprisingly affordable upgrade and it's easy to see the lifestyle benefits they bring, including their ability to make both small and large areas seem even larger. Skylights differentiate a home's appearance while significantly increasing the amount of natural light that enters a room - a huge bonus in spaces where wall windows aren't practical or desirable, such as master closets or baths where privacy is paramount. Energy Star-qualified, solar-powered, fresh-air skylights also provide passive ventilation that improves indoor air quality. Fresh-air skylights operate with a programmable touch pad remote control that also manages energy efficiency boosting accessories like blinds. Available in designer colors and patterns, solar powered skylight blinds further allow homeowners to control the amount of light and warmth that enters or leaves the room through the skylight. Solar powered skylights and blinds, along with installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. Swimming pool The value of a swimming pool is subjective, so the most important questions to answer are whether a pool will fit your lifestyle and if you'll be up to maintaining it. Pools can be a great way to relax or get in some exercise, bond with the kids or enjoy play time with friends. But you'll have to do some work for that fun, including regularly cleaning the pool, adding chemicals as needed and keeping the pump, lights, heater and other systems in good condition. You must also be aware of safety and take appropriate measures to protect children and pets when they're near the pool. Sunroom A sunroom won't improve your home's energy efficiency the way a skylight can, but if the home has a great view or you relish communing with nature, a sunroom can help boost your mood. While some expert do-it-yourselfers may be able to tackle a sunroom addition on their own, most homeowners will want to work with a professional contractor to ensure the structure is sound, well-insulated, efficient and built to code. Backup generator While a backup generator is not a common home improvement, installing one could be beneficial if your home is in a storm-prone area where power outages occur regularly. A generator may also be an important home enhancement if you have critical electrical systems that must stay on, such as medical devices for a homebound patient. When you're considering upgrading a home, keep in mind that resale value isn't the only consideration. It's equally important that the upgrades make sense for the home and your lifestyle.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 442

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 622

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1394

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 503

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 879

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 423

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 504

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1154

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 509

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 406

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 700

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 674

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->