Washington County Weekend Post

2A • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021 GMTODAY.COM WE'RE OPEN Renovating a home to improve its value can be a smart investment. Interior improvements, such as updating kitchens and baths, offer good return on investment, but there are plenty of exterior renova- tions that can add value to a home and give it that covet- ed "wow" factor. Landscaping Abundant and well- planned landscaping can instantly boost curb appeal. According to the landscap- ing company Lawn Starter, 71 percent of prospective home buyers say a home's curb appeal is an important factor in their buying deci- sions. As buyers use the internet to look for their dream homes, there's no denying a beautifully land- scaped, nicely pho- tographed property can entice buyers to click and read more about a house. Address insects and minor repairs Improving home value may come down to fixing areas of the home that can negatively affect its appeal to buyers. Hire an inspector to look at key components of the house and recommend what needs to be fixed. This way it is discovered before home buyers come in and do their own inspections. Ter- mite infestations, deterio- rating roofs and hidden water leaks are some things that might need fixing. Improve the entryway The front door is the focal point of a home's exte- rior. Invest in a new door or paint it a striking color to add appeal. Remodeling magazine's "Cost vs. Value Report 2019" indicates changing an entry door to a steel replacement can offer 74.9 percent ROI. Such a door provides visual appeal and added security — things buyers look for. In addition to the front door, make sure that the entryway has a level walkway, steps that are in good repair, accents that are free from rust or tar- nish, and decorative plants. Outdoor lighting Outdoor lighting can add to the ambiance of a property and serve as a security feature. Utilize dif- ferent lights, such as a bright light by the entry, uplighting in trees and shrubs for drama, a light- lined path to the door to improve visibility, and motion-detection lights to improve the security of the property. Repaint (or reside) the exterior A fresh coat of paint or new (or cleaned) siding can instantly give homes a facelift. Neutral, warm and inviting colors tend to have the widest appeal. Adding manufactured stone veneer to the home can offer a 94.9 percent ROI, says Remodel- ing. And after doing the front door and siding, investing in a garage door replacement offers the high- est ROI of all exterior pro- jects listed on the "Cost vs. Value Report 2019." This improvement returns 97.5 percent when selling. Knowing which improvements add value to a home can help homeown- ers tailor their efforts to those that are most finan- cially beneficial. Exterior renovations that can improve home value Summer is a time of year that's synonymous with relaxation. The warm air and glowing sun of sum- mer helps people to relax and take some time away from work to smell the roses. Or so it may seem. According to the U.S. Travel Association, Ameri- cans accumulated 705 mil- lion unused vacation days in 2017. That's 43 million more unused vacations than the year prior. Americans' neighbors to the north seem to be following suit, as a 2018 survey from ADP Canada found that only one in three Canadian workers use their two weeks' of vacation each year. Unused vacation time may be having a more adverse effect on workers than they know. The Ameri- can Institute of Stress notes that various studies have shown that job stress is a major and primary source of stress for American work- ers. When workers don't use their allotted vacation time, they never get a break from that stress, allowing its effects to accumulate and put their long-term health in jeopardy. The arrival of summer presents a perfect opportu- nity for professionals to take some time off from work and focus on reacquainting themselves with relaxation. The following are various practices that can help peo- ple relax, courtesy of the NorthShore University Health system. Breathing Healthy breathing tech- niques can help the body take in more oxygen, which can relieve anxiety, slow the heart rate and stabilize blood pressure. Deep breath- ing exercises can teach peo- ple how to control their breathing. Meditation Various forms of medi- tation can be employed to help people alleviate stress. Meditating for as little as five to 10 minutes can be effective. The Synchronicity Foundation for Modern Spirituality notes that medi- tating for as long as you feel comfortable, whether it's 10 minutes or an hour, can be effective, and that it's even possible to meditate too much. The group advises paying attention to your meditation tolerance and set aside enough time to benefit from meditation without overdoing it. Yoga Many people find yoga to be great exercise for the body and an excellent way to alleviate stress. Combining various poses with breath- ing exercises, yoga can relax the mind and promote flexi- bility in the body. That latter benefit can be especially useful for people whose muscles tighten as a result of stress. Visualization Visualization involves participants imagining re- laxing settings and focusing on their details. The goal of visualization is eliminate stressful thoughts and calm the body. Summer is a time of year that's synonymous with relaxation. It also marks a great time for peo- ple dealing with stress to embrace various relaxation techniques that can help them reduce their stress and restore their energy levels. Relaxation techniques to embrace summer

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