Remodeling in a Recession
It’s true that right now may not be the best time to sell your home. With
real estate values dropping, many homeowners who want to sell won’t be able to
sell their home for what they thought they might have been able to a few years
ago.
However, if you aren’t trying to sell your home right now and have been
putting off a remodeling job, this might just be the best time to tackle the
project. Why?
Just as the cost of homes is dropping, the cost of remodeling is dropping—including
building materials and contractors’ fees. And while it may be difficult to
think about spending money on your home when the values are falling, taking
advantage of lower remodeling costs could be a great investment if you are not
planning on selling your home anytime soon.
As disclosed in a study by HousingEconomics.com, the number of building
permits in the United States decreased by 41% between 2007 and 2008. This means
that fewer people are building, which can be good for a consumer who is trying
to get competitive pricing from a contractor. Not only will your contractor
charge less for materials (because the contractor is paying less) but he or she
will also be willing to charge less for labor in order to secure more work.
Even DIYers can save money on renovations right now, just by saving on
materials. For example, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB),
framing lumber prices are the lowest they have been in four years.
The trick, if you plan on selling your home in the future, is of course to
assess the current value of your home and the value that your remodel will add
to your home. When you sell, you will recoup only some of the value in your
resale, so you want to make sure you are not investing too much more than what
you may get in return. For a good idea of national remodeling costs and recouped
costs, visit Remodeling magazine’s cost vs. recoup report. Note: If you do
hire contractors, make sure they have insurance to cover them in case they are
injured on your property; otherwise, check your homeowner’s insurance policy
to see if you have enough.
Carrie VanBrunt
http://www.HomeInsurance.com
Ranch House - Renovation Best
What is the common dream that motivates people to boost their income?
Undoubtedly, to live a comfortable life in a lavish house with an aura of
opulence all around. So they aim to furnish their nest in a manner that would
set it apart from the rest. Creating the feel of a ranch house could be the
ultimate image makeover for a house. A ranch house is simplicity at its best. A
one-storey building in a picturesque backdrop, a ranch house is both beautiful
and utilitarian.
The mandatory components of a ranch house are several bedrooms, a cooking
area, a washroom, a drawing area and rooms for guests. This kind of house also
features a cellar and a conjoined parking area with an entrance into the
kitchen.
When you’re thinking of converting your house to a ranch-style house, it
helps to plan a little beforehand. First you’ll want to correct the house’s
existing drawbacks. Then you’ll want to add a wooden deck or something unique.
Consider fencing the terrace, adding a gallery or erecting a partition to divide
a big room. Just make sure your renovations complement the rest of the
decoration.
Even if you are happy with the look, you may need to enlarge the interior
space, which will change how the exterior looks, too. For example, you could add
a library or a bedroom, or you can divide the cellar into different areas. A
cellar is generally used as a storehouse, as a laundry room or as the place for
the hot water reservoir. If you partition the cellar, you can transform the
space into a recreation room for the children or the whole family. Either way,
you’ll be increasing the value and utility of the house.
Turning Your Home Green
In recent years we’ve seen more and more people switching to buying green
homes. They’ve done so because they are becoming concerned about the
environment or because the standards and techniques for building green houses
have improved tremendously over the past few years. In addition, sellers can get
a higher price for these green homes because homeowners tend to save more on
maintenance costs and utility bills.
If you are keen on purchasing a green home, how do you know that it is worth
the asking price? This article offers some tips on how to get yourself a good
deal. Check to see if the following things are found in the house:
1. A passive solar design
Solar energy can heat and cool the house naturally. Make sure the house
contains no skylights or greenhouse rooms; if there are, there will be too much
heat gain in the building and it will be very hot.
2. Ventilation of attic spaces
Attic spaces can also accumulate heat, especially in hot climates, thereby
causing the house to become very hot. On the other hand, moisture will remain in
these unventilated attic spaces, causing the wood to rot and smell.
3. Use of recycled or renewable materials
Since you are getting a green home, you should ensure that the materials used
to build the house are not damaging to the environment. Three examples are using
waste wood to build decks, using materials that are locally produced and can be
renewed easily, and using recycled wood for the flooring of the house.
4. Use of safe materials
Products that are water based, non-toxic and biodegradable are more
environmentally friendly, so these should be used to build the house. Ensure
that there are no materials that contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which are
detrimental to the environment.
5. Site protection
The surroundings of the house are equally important, so you should ensure
that the natural vegetation and animal habitats are protected from any
unnecessary harm, especially if you need to do any additional construction to
the property.
