Whether your goal is to increase your enjoyment of your home or improve its value, summer is a great time to start working on a home improvement project. The season’s long sunny days offer a good opportunity to work on projects that require good lighting and adequate ventilation. Meanwhile, the consistently warm weather allows you to largely avoid mess and delays caused by rain or snow.

For this blog, we look at some home improvement projects that you can start over the summer season.

1. Clean gutters and install gutter guards.

Spring showers from the preceding months could have clogged up your roof gutters with leaves and other debris. So, it’s a good idea to not only clear out your gutters this summer but also consider installing gutter guards if you don’t already have them.

2. Spruce up your garden.

Working on your outdoor areas such as your yard and garden will not only improves the curb appeal of your home but can also reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Visit this blog for some tips to help you grow and maintain a thriving garden this summer.

3. Work on your basement.

If you’re currently only using your basement for storage, summer is a good time to think about how you can transform it into a living or work area that can enrich your lifestyle. Some things to consider adding include new floors, insulation, new furnishings and electronics such as televisions and sound systems.

4. Update your bathrooms.

Summer is also a great time to think about how you can make your bathrooms a more relaxing space. Some upgrades to think about include adding storage shelves and cabinets, and new fixtures such as faucets and showerheads.

5. Repaint your home’s exterior.

Giving the outside of your home a facelift by painting the exterior areas is a relatively easy way to give it a fresh new look. And summer is the perfect time to paint your home’s exterior because the weather is more predictable with fewer chances that rain will ruin a paint job.

How to finance your home improvement project

If you have enough equity in your home, an easy and effective solution to getting the funds you need for your home improvement project this summer is to apply for financing that is secured against the value of your property.

For example, Home Trust offers the Equityline Visa[1], a credit card secured by a mortgage against your property that offers competitive rates and convenient access. You can use your Equityline Visa, up to your credit limit, to pay for the costs of your home improvement project – including materials, fixtures, furnishings, appliances and labour.

Whatever home improvement project you choose to undertake this summer, Home Trust’s Equityline Visa will give you a convenient financial tool to help you realize your home’s full potential. Learn more by visiting hometrust.ca/credit-cards/equityline-visa.

The information, materials and opinions contained in this Blog are provided for our information only. This Blog does not constitute legal, financial or other professional advice and you should not rely on it as an alternative to specific advice based on your particular circumstance. This Blog contains links to third party websites. These links are provided for information and convenience; Home Trust does not endorse the content of any third party website, and it makes no representation or warranty as to the information on such third party sites. By clicking on any link to a third party site, you leave Home Trust’s website and do so at your own risk. Home Trust disclaims all liability for any damage or loss that results from your access to or reliance on information contained in this Blog or any third party site.

[1] This credit card product is not available in Quebec.