Design

Look outside for remodeling projects that offer value

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While summer is winding down across the country, the heat is still going strong in the Valley.

Summer people usually fall into two types. The first stays inside most of the time and waits for cooler temperatures. The second makes lemonade out of lemons and spends time by the pool or on a patio.

The reality is that there’s an outdoor summer remodeling project for everyone, regardless of what camp you belong to.

Realtor.com has a couple of good articles on this topic. The first, “9 Clever Tricks to Make Your Outdoor Space Look Expensive,” offers a collection of smaller tweaks that can really bump up your outdoor profile.

For example, the article suggests adding a brick, cobblestone, or concrete pathway with contrasting colors to make a spectacular first impression for guests arriving at your front door.

For larger backyard spaces, the article suggests creating sections with purpose, like a bar area, a grill and kitchen area, and seating area with similar color schemes and lighting concepts to give it the proper flow.  That way you avoid one big, lifeless space. 

The second Realtor.com article, “7 Great End-of-Summer Home Improvement Upgrades to Do Now,” offers insight for larger outdoor projects.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but shopping around for a pool this time of year can yield big savings, considering demand isn’t at its peak, the article says.

One pool-related project you might not have thought of is adding an outdoor shower, as the article notes. An outdoor shower is a great way to class up your pool area; just remember to pick a size appropriate to the space and add storage for towels and clothes.

Have a good week!

With housing crash fresh in mind, more people choosing to remodel

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The American homeownership story used to be simple.

First, you got your starter home, usually after starting your career, watched it appreciate in value, then use that cash from the sale to upgrade to your forever home. Then, once you became empty nesters, it was time to downsize to a home with less upkeep and use the spare cash to fund your retirement.

That all changed 10 years ago in the Great Recession that saw home values plummet to next to nothing.

With that housing crash fresh in mind, in addition to favorable interest rates and a lack of cash on hand, many people are choosing to upgrade their starter homes for the long haul through remodeling.

This trend is outlined in a Chicago Tribune article titled, “Why Americans are shunning new homes and opting to stay put, remodel instead.”

So, if you are finding yourself in this position, you are not alone! We’ve guided many people through this chapter of the evolving American homeownership story.

And if you are thinking about making changes to your starter home for the long haul, chances are you are going to start with the bathroom.

An article on Bankrate.com has the answers to how much that might cost you. The article says the average cost is just under $10,000, with lower-end remodels hovering around $6,000 and higher-end projects topping out around $14,000.

Whether you are looking to add a modern flair, be more efficient with your electricity or water consumption, or just need an extra sink, we’d love to be of service.

Have a great week!

2017 is ‘boom year’ for remodeling, Houzz survey says

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While a lot of us are preparing for weekends full of bone-crunching tackles, it appears the remodeling industry is still laying the smack down on 2017.

According to a recent Houzz survey, 2017 is on track to be a “boom year” for the remodeling industry.

The annual Houzz & Home survey says homeowners plan to spend an average of $27,300 on home renovations in 2017.

That number is 3.4 percent higher than the 2016 figure of $26,400. (The article rounds up to four percent, which is not accurate.)

The report says both recent buyers and repeat buyers are driving the spending, with repeat buyers spending twice as much as their counterparts.

One expert quoted in the article says a lack of affordable homes is leading many first-time buyers to purchase homes that require more than cosmetic upgrades.

If you are following the trend and getting ready to embark on a remodel, we’ve tracked down some tips for hiring the best contractors.

All seven tips are from the Better Business Bureau and run the gamut from the obvious (get a contract, don’t pay everything up front) to the less thought of (ask about insurance, licenses, bonding).

Have a good week!