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We’ve spent a lot of time discussing the magic of remodeling, but it occurred to us today that we never sought the input of a magician.

So you can understand how happy we were to happen upon an article by the Wall Street Journal about the process behind the home renovation of California magician/comedian Justin Willman.

Willman spent more than $164,000 to renovate his 1920s Mediterranean-style home, vaulting the ceilings, replacing the furniture, switching out the awnings, converting a patio into an outdoor bedroom, repainting the interior, and tidying up the landscaping.

Now, we realize that not everyone has that kind of money to spend on remodeling, and that’s OK! Willman made several good decisions that you can apply to your next remodel.

He enlisted the help of experts. His first call was to his mom, who is an interior designer. She encouraged him to take advantage of the generous crawl spaces.

He made the home that worked for him. He achieved his vision for the house, not some vision outlined in a magazine or a reality TV program.

He didn’t skip on the landscaping. He factored the outside into the equation.

He had friends help. His friends helped paint the interior for a modest fee. Friends offering friends discounts is cool. Asking friends to do stuff for free is not.

He incorporated the vision of his fiancée.  Kind of a no-brainer, but you should always seek the input of the people who live in the house. Working together is fun, and having a house everyone can call home is what family is all about.

Take a look at the results. The gallery of the home is just stunning.

Best of all, there was no magic wand required!

Willman is not alone in adding functionality to outdoor living spaces. That’s one of the big movements in 2015, according to Seacoast Online.

Classing up outdoor spaces is among this year’s trends, along with multi-generational designs, and affordable sustainability and technology, and more luxurious bathrooms.

Have a good week!

Spring is a time of transition. Here in the Valley, we are savoring the last few days of cool weather before the scorching heat of the summer.

With transition in mind, many people use Spring as a time to explore remodeling. This is the topic of the Marketplace Weekend chat hosted by David Lazarus on marketplace.org.

Lazarus talks to Tom Silva, general contractor with “This Old House,” about remodeling during this time. Have a listen!

Now that we’ve piqued your interest, it’s time to discuss the dollars and cents of remodeling. Going into a remodel with an idea of what it might cost will help you avoid sticker shock and overpaying.

While every home is different, DailyFinance.com has a great article on the national average cost of several home projects.

Among the highlights:

·      $19, 935 for a kitchen remodel.
·      $8, 940 for a bathroom remodel.
·      $2,500 for an exterior paint job.
·      $35,000 to build an addition.
·      $3,500 for a foundation.
·      $6,429 for a roof.

Have a good week!

It’s been said that failing to plan means you’re planning to fail. When it comes to kitchen remodels, that’s the truth!

In the age of home-improvement TV, many homeowners have unrealistic expectations about remodeling. The process can be dusty. Shipments can get delayed. New problems can be uncovered. In short, it takes more than a montage to get to the finish line.

So, knowing exactly what you’re getting into can go a long way toward preserving your sanity and making the experience as enjoyable as possible.  For starters, consult this handy guide from the Journal Sentinel on what to expect on a kitchen remodel.

Among our favorite tips, take your time interviewing designers and/or contractors, expect upcharges and build them into your budget, pay attention to trends but make decisions you love, and trust your gut.

Speaking of trends, U.S. News & World Report has put together a helpful article to guide your remodeling decisions.

First off, one expert suggests thinking about the future.

“You’ve got to pick things that are timeless and good enough quality that will stand the test of time,” says Ilyce Glink, author of numerous real estate books, including “100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask.”

With that in mind, here are a few trends listed in the article:

·      Open-kitchen family rooms
·      Quartzite and Caesarstone countertops
·      Smart home technology
·      Larger shower spaces with luxury trimmings

Have a good week!