Choosing Home Improvements to Increase Your Home Value

As the temperature rises and the days get longer, the idea of finally breaking ground on your big home improvement plans gets increasingly appealing. But beyond enhancing the look and feel of your home, how can these projects also improve its market value? Let’s explore some of the most common and most impactful home improvements you should consider.

Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen remodel can be one of the best investments, since kitchens tend to be one of the most “central” of the rooms buyers consider when looking at a house for sale. From upgrading your countertops to buying new energy-efficient appliances, or knocking out walls to reconfigure the layout, upgrading your kitchen can add value by enhancing its functionality.

Bathroom Remodel

Upgrading your bathroom is one of the best ways to bring value to your home. Key projects could include installing water-efficient options, updating your fixtures, and retiling your floors and/or walls. Even higher returns can be had by adding luxurious touches like a double sink, installing a walk-in shower, or heated floors to appeal to possible buyers in the future.

Additional Living Space

Additional square footage can be one of the most direct ways to increase a home’s appraised value and catch buyers’ eyes. These projects can include finishing a basement, converting an attic, or adding a bedroom. All are impactful ways to increase your home’s reportable square footage. Keep your budget in mind though since these projects also can be the most expensive on our list.

Exterior Improvement

Improving your home’s exterior features isn’t just a boost to its first impressions. Gaining curb appeal can increase both your home’s aesthetics and its value. Visual upgrades such as adding fresh landscaping, getting a new front door, or giving the whole house a fresh coat of paint can be valuable. While replacing your siding or updating your garage door can give you resell value and improve its energy efficiency.

Inspired by these ideas but need some funds to kick them off? Now’s the perfect time to take the next step by applying for Bellco’s limited time offer of a fixed rate as low as 6.24% APR on an advance of $10,000.00 or more with ChoiceLine*. For more information visit Bellco.org/ChoiceLine or stop by any Bellco branch. Bellco is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

*LIMITED–TIME OFFER. The 6.24% APR for the Fixed Rate promotion is available to anyone that qualifies and advances at least $10,000.00 from the available line of credit at the time the Fixed Rate Subaccount is opened. Conditions and restrictions, including those related to CLTV and credit score, apply. If you don’t qualify for the promotional rate, the APR for fixed-rate advances will be set using the fixed rate Bellco is offering at the time you fix the rate based on your credit score, combined loan to value, and lien position at the time the loan is closed. This fixed rate will be in effect for the whole term of the applicable Fixed-Rate Subaccount, which cannot exceed the remaining term of the loan. Variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for well-qualified borrowers as of March 1, 2026, is 6.75% and is subject to change without notice. Maximum APR for variable rate advance is 21%. Variable rate may change after account opening. Property must be insured, owner occupied (primary or secondary) and located in Colorado. This offer can end at any time. Membership eligibility required. All loans subject to approval.

---

Avoiding Fraudulent Phone Numbers When Searching Online

One of the more devious online scams that has become popular recently is a new scheme involving fraudsters buying fake Google ads to impersonate legitimate pages of major brand names such as Facebook, Netflix, and Microsoft and financial institutions such as Bank of America. When victims click on these fake ads, they’re taken to a page that is indeed the real brand’s website, but with one difference. The page is exploited with a malicious URL to display a fake support phone number.

Once this number is called, these scammers will then continue to pose as support agents working for the brand with the aim of getting their victim to give up personal information, credit card details, or even to give remote access to their computer. This is especially hard to notice because the URL that is displayed at the top of the browser will be legitimate, but with the fake phone number embedded into the site’s search bar.

So, how can our members be more diligent and not fall for this scam while looking for legitimate support contact information? Here are some tips:

• Never rely on Google search results alone for phone numbers.  Fraudsters can pay to place fake numbers at the top of search pages.
• Go directly to the official website when looking for support or contact information.
• Call the number listed on your statement or on the back of your credit/debit card to contact your financial institution directly
• Be cautious of numbers shown in search snippets, AI summaries, or ad blocks, as scammers increasingly manipulate these sources.

Remember, Bellco will never ask for your Online Banking credentials or call or text you asking for personal or account information. If you believe you are a victim of fraud in relation to your Bellco accounts, please contact Bellco’s Fraud Department at 303-689-7548 or fill out our Fraudulent Activity Form on Bellco.org.

---

Celebrate National Financial Capability Month

Since April is National Financial Capability Month, here at Bellco we wanted to remind our members of the free resources we offer our members and their families to expand their financial knowledge and prepare for their financial journeys.

All Bellco members can access MoneySmarts, our free user-friendly program that features short online tutorials in a wide variety of personal finance topics. These tutorials are quick, mobile-friendly, and free for everyone. Just visit the MoneySmarts page and choose a tutorial subject to start learning.

For the younger members and future members, we offer FUNancial $marts, a series of financial activity books designed for all different age groups. Whether you’re introducing elementary students to counting money and the idea of saving or teaching high schoolers about credit and debit cards and planning for college, there are valuable lessons that any teacher, parent, or family member can use to help future generations navigate financial and economic challenges. You can view and download PDFs at the FUNancial $marts page.

---

Housing Market Update: Entering Q2 2026

Article by Bellco Home Loans

As we enter the second quarter of 2026, the housing market is showing signs of stability and balance after several years of volatility. Mortgage rates are performing largely as expected, settling in the 6.00%–6.25% range for many qualified consumers. We are also seeing pockets of opportunity below 6% when favorable economic news hits the market or when short-term bond yields ease, giving buyers periodic windows to lock in more attractive financing.

One of the most notable shifts in today’s market is the change in supply dynamics. The nation is currently seeing roughly 44% more sellers than buyers, a reversal from the extreme seller’s market conditions that dominated the previous few years. As a result, buyers are finally regaining leverage in negotiations.

That leverage is showing up in the numbers. Across many markets, seller concessions and discounts are averaging between $7,000 and $11,000, giving buyers the ability to offset closing costs, buy down interest rates, or reduce overall out-of-pocket expenses. These types of incentives were rarely seen during the hyper-competitive markets of 2020–2022.

Another clear change is time on market. Homes that once sold in days are now commonly taking 60–90 days to secure a buyer in many areas. This shift makes two factors more important than ever:

• Pricing correctly from the start
• Working with experienced agents who know how to market and position a property

It’s imperative to start the sales cycle in advance of your needs to give applicable time to market and sell. In today’s environment, overpricing a home can quickly lead to stale listings and eventual price reductions. Strategic pricing and professional marketing are now critical components of a successful sale.

Despite the shifting dynamics, housing itself has remained remarkably stable. Transaction volume is increasing in 2026, driven by both buyers seeking new homes and homeowners taking advantage of opportunities for interest-rate relief through refinancing.

In short, the market has evolved, not collapsed. For buyers, the return of negotiating power is opening doors that haven’t existed for years. For sellers, success depends on strategy, pricing discipline, and the right professionals guiding the process.

If you have questions as it pertains to your home loan needs, Bellco Home Loans has a dedicated team of professionals who can help. 

Bellco Home Loans is a joint venture between Bellco Credit Union and Guild Mortgage Company, LLC, an independent mortgage lender that has helped families attain home ownership since 1960. Bellco Home Loans, LLC, NMLS #2085298, is an affiliate of Guild Mortgage Company LLC, NMLS #3274; Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. All loans subject to approval.