Railings – Are there railings at the edge of stairs, porches, balconies, and decks? Are they solid and securely attached?
Locks – Are the looks on windows and doors secure?
Exterior Lighting – Is the exterior well lit? This makes your home safer to walk around outside at night, and also less likely to be broken into. Use motion sensors to save electricity and only have the lights turn on when needed.
Fences – Is there adequate fencing to keep children and pets away from the road, pool, or other hazards? Ask Shelter Improvements about regulations concerning fencing for pools in your area.
Play Area – Is there a soft surface under swings, slides, or other play equipment to protect against falls?
Baby Proofing – If you have small children is your home baby proofed? Consider outlet covers, gates at stairs, cabinet locks, and toilet locks.
Safety Equipment – Is your home equiped with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher? Are they all in good working order with fresh batteries?
Electrical Work – Is the electrical work in your home in good repair? Faulty wiring can be a serious fire risk.

At Shelter Improvements we want to do everything we can to keep you, your family, and your home safe and secure. Give us a call today at 702-305-4025.

Landscaping
Landscaping traditionally offers the best return on investment of any home improvement project. This is of course a generalization, but landscaping allows you to make a significant impact to your home’s curb appeal, and greatly improve the look of outdoor areas, without a large price tag. Mature trees, pops of color with flowering annuals, and anything that acts as a privacy screen are all appealing to buyers. If your yard is messy and overgrown a day’s work trimming and laying some fresh mulch could give your home a whole new look.

Home buyers also love outdoor areas to relax or entertain, so the addition of a patio or deck could be money well spent. When it comes to very expensive landscaping projects however, such as water features, extensive stonework, and high end outdoor kitchens, be sure that the updates fit in with your neighborhood or you might not recoup the cost when it comes time to sell.

Kitchen Remodel
Another good candidate for a good home improvement investment is a kitchen remodel. An updated kitchen tops many home buyers’ wish lists. It’s important that the price of the renovation isn’t so high that adding the amount to the sales price wouldn’t make your home more expensive than homes like yours in the neighborhood. Buyers will likely select a home with a nice kitchen over another similar home in the same price range, but they might not pay considerably more for it. For a low cost remodel simply painting the cabinets and upgrading the counter tops could have a huge impact. If most homes in your area have high end gourmet kitchens you may be able to pull out all the stops and make yours stand out with a wine fridge, custom cabinets, and top of the line appliances and still see a good return on the investment down the line.

Master Bath Remodel
Nice master bathrooms are also high on the wish lists of many real estate shoppers. Two sinks, spa tubs, and ample storage are all desirable features. Again, keep the bathroom renovation in line with the style and price range of the home when choosing materials, fixtures, and how much to spend on the project.

1. Safety First
   Be sure all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, security systems, and fire extinguishers in good working order, with fresh batteries.
2. HVAC System
   Change filters regularly. Have serviced annually.
3. Plumbing
   Listen for any banging or loud noises coming from the pipes. Check for leaky faucets or running toilets. Look for signs of water damage such as stains on walls and ceilings.
4. Windows and Doors
   Check to see whether there is a draft letting hot or cold air in from outside. If you find drafts have a handyman seal these for more efficient heating and cooling of your home.
5. Insulation
   Check the insulation where you can see it, such as in the attic. If you do not have several inches of insulation consider having additional insulation added to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
6. Roof
   Check for any leaks or missing shingles. If you think the roof may need repair have a professional roofer thoroughly inspect it.
7. Gutters
   Clean gutters and drain pipes regularly so that rain water can flow freely and drain away from your home.
8. Exterior Siding
   Look for peeling or cracking paint, holes in the siding, or soft wood. Check to see whether caulk is cracking and needs to be replaced.