Nearly 83 percent of taxpayers will get money back from Uncle Sam this year, with refunds averaging $3,120. While you can’t go wrong saving the cash or using it to pay down debt, the money may be enough to cover a smaller home improvement project that could add value to your house or, more immediately, improve your quality of life. Now that you’ve finally gotten that tax return filed, it’s time to start planning what you’ll do with your refund. Photo: taxrefunders.com Even if these smaller fixes won’t suddenly make your house much more valuable, they can help maximize the enjoyment you...

Bathroom remodeling can make sense for homeowners for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is a bathroom remodel can add significant value to your home which you can recoup when you sell - if done correctly. You’re also likely to enhance the comfort, style, and efficiency of the finished project. There are five common mistakes you can avoid when remodeling your bathroom.  1. Rushing the processNow that you’re committed to the idea of a new bathroom, you probably want it done tomorrow. But poor planning is the leading cause of cost overruns on these projects. Nothing is more...