Purchasing your first home is a thrilling experience, but one of your earliest realizations is that you can't call the super anymore for small repairs. For many issues, contacting a professional is the right decision, but why pay a lot of money for work you can do yourself? Our real estate agents will tell you that keeping on top of the little things will help put your house at the top of the list of Cedar City homes for sale if you ever choose to sell. Before you start your DIY project make sure you do these things.

Pick a ProjectBefore you ever put in an offer, you probably had an idea of a few things you wanted to change or add to the house. Maybe you want to add a ceiling fan to the den or a couple of shelves in the laundry room. Perhaps the bathroom could use a different color of paint. Before you tackle a project, make sure it's manageable and doesn't require major construction or a skill set you don't have. Contractors generally charge a lot more money to fix customer's mista. ...

It's fun to dream about a major home renovation and all the cool updates you'd like to do. If you're planning on listing your home among Cedar City homes for sale, you may be particularly eager to make some improvements that are likely to attract buyers.

But whether you're selling or planning to stay put with your renovated home for a few years, budgeting will be a key part of your planning. Above all, don't make the mistake of being lured into deep debt to finance your renovation. Here are 7 helpful tips to keep in mind as you plan your renovation budgeting.

Figure out how much you can afford to spend on your renovation.Your renovation costs will depend on several things: how old your house is; how much square footage; whether or not your home is up to code; whether or not you can contribute some DIY help to the project; and what type of renovations you want to have done. It may be best to meet with a design consultant to help you with a realistic plan for your budget.

Determ. ...

Even with busy, modern households, it's common for family members and even guests to congregate in the kitchen, especially while food is being prepared. With so much happening in this one room, it should come as no surprise that kitchen updates are the ones that increase your home's value the most. Here are seven updates our real estate agents recommend.

Rethink Your LayoutIf you're starting a kitchen renovation project, take a good hard look at your kitchen's layout. While a large, open kitchen may seem appealing, someone who cooks frequently knows the value of having everything close at hand. Design your kitchen so that you don't have to walk around a lot while you're prepping or cooking, and leave the open spaces for the areas where you relax and entertain.

Task LightingAnyone who cooks a lot knows a poorly lit kitchen makes prep time difficult. Supplement overhead lighting with focused task lighting, such as under-cabinet lighting to illuminate counter space and pendant light. ...

Cedar City is one of the most family-friendly cities in Utah, with affordable real estate, good schools, and plenty of outdoor recreation to enjoy. If you are raising a family in Cedar City, one of the best ways to add to your quality of life is by making your home the perfect oasis.

Design the family-friendly backyard of your dreams with these ideas!
1. Swings
Even if you don't want to invest in a massive playset, the addition of swings immediately makes the backyard a more playful space. A simple tree swing can be a beautiful addition, taking up minimal space for a minimal investment, but adding maximum fun.
2. Firepit
Adding a fire pit is a great way to encourage the whole family to gather 'round and slow down together. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows for a low-stress family dinner and activity all in one. This is a great way to maximize the amount of time you spend in the backyard, even as temperatures drop.
3. Vegetable garden
People of all ages will enjoy the addition of ...

When making an offer on Cedar City homes for sale, it's important to carefully consider the amount. Offer too little, and you risk your offer being rejected. Offer too much, and the bank may not appraise the home for the amount you offered.
This does not mean, however, that you should never offer more than the asking price for a home. The strategy may sound strange at first. You wouldn't offer more than the sticker price for a car, and you wouldn't purposefully pay an extra $100 for a grill at the store. But buying real estate is quite different, and sometimes, making an offer over asking price makes sense. Here are some situations in which it may be a good strategy.
You know there will be multiple offers.Right now, we are in a seller's market. In other words, there are more buyers than there are homes for sale. This means most sellers get multiple offers on their home. Naturally, they tend to accept the highest offer.
In such a competitive market, you often need to make an o. ...