"Your home is your castle." "There's no place like home." "Home is where the heart is." "Make a house into a home." We have all heard these and countless other adages about the bond between an individual and their dwelling. It doesn't matter if we are describing a mobile home or a mansion, a quaint cottage or sprawling estate. For most people, their home is among their largest investments. Even in a tough economy with rampant foreclosures, a house is also one of the best ways to build wealth over time. Equity comes from paying down debt, as well as increasing the value of the property. And just as a high tide raises all boats (that are in the water), an improving market elevates the vast majority of housing values. Of course, a poorly maintained, leaking boat will struggle to stay above the tides and the same can be said of a poorly maintained house.

This blog will delve into some off the many systems that comprise a house (roofing, ventilation, HVAC, insulation, windows, entry systems, flooring, kitchen and bath). We will discuss what it takes to keep these systems functioning properly, how to maintain them, and what to look for when replacing or upgrading them.

Home improvement is a scary business. Cutting corners to save a few bucks may end up costing you dearly in aggravation, legal entanglements, premature system failure and subsequent replacement. Unpaid subcontractors can place a lien on your home, even if you paid the entire amount of the contract. Does the contractor carry insurance? The Yellow Pages ad may say so, but those claims are never verified. A worker getting injured on the job potentially places the home-owner at risk of liability. "Lifetime" warranties are only as strong as the company that backs them up. With nearly 70% of contractors going under within 7 years, who do you go after if/when something goes wrong? Buried deep in the fine print, it is all-too common to find clauses nullifying warranty protection if installation is not in accordance with manufacturer specifications. How does an unsuspecting homeowner know if the installation is done properly and in accordance with those specifications?

This blog will help to expose the issues that can turn a home improvement project into a nightmare. Knowing how to protect yourself should provide some much needed peace of mind.






Wednesday, March 14, 2018




Improvements that Increase Home Value

kitchen with stainless steel appliances
The average cost of a midrange kitchen remodel is about $20,000, with an estimated return on investment at 83 percent, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2016 Cost vs. Value Report. It’s likely money well spent, especially if it attracts a potential buyer.
“The biggest detractor [to selling a home] is a kitchen that is not appealing,” says Scott Walker, owner of Walker Real Estate in Madison, Wisconsin. “If a buyer concludes it needs major remodeling, they will more often than not be discouraged from buying. The likelihood that the price will tumble is much higher.”

Renovating other interior rooms

A midrange bathroom remodel, which costs about $18,000 according to the Cost vs. Value Report, should yield close to a 66 percent return.
An example of a midrange remodel for a 5-by-7-foot bathroom includes replacing fixtures, adding a new shower control, a new white toilet, vanity with sink, vinyl wallpaper, a recessed medicine cabinet and tile flooring.
Basement remodels can also add life to your home’s value. Even if you decide against a whole basement remodel, keep the basement in good shape by eliminating sources that contribute to water, mold and mildew.
Sherri St. John, owner of DFW Improved, a general contractor in Frisco, Texas, says one of the best ways to add value is to add square footage to a home, which could include an addition.
Adding an attic bedroom is one of the best ways to recoup money, as is investing in the master bedroom.
“Buyers want suites with upgraded bathrooms and huge closets,” Kropp says.

Don’t forget exterior home improvements

Don't underestimate the value of curb appeal.
“Landscaping, especially in the front, often gets overlooked or is treated more as an afterthought when, in my view, it is the single biggest improvement you can make to draw people into the house,” Walker says. “I think it is hard to argue with the proposition that if you can’t get a buyer into the house in the first place, you aren’t very likely to sell to them.”
Another addition to consider is a wooden deck. A midrange wood deck averages about $10,400 with a 75 percent return. Vinyl siding averages $14,000 with a 77 percent ROI.
One exterior project that will yield you a 93 percent ROI is adding manufactured stone veneer to the facade of your house, at an average cost of $7,500.

Sweat the small stuff

More minor upgrades, such as new interior doors or door hardware can add a lot, says Dave Beck, owner of Classy Craftsmen in Cincinnati. Kropp says if there’s money left over, he would make sure as many rooms as possible have hardwood floors.
“It’s important to remember that your house is your home before it is an investment,” Beck says. “Maintain it, obviously, but invest in the enhancements which make you and your family happy.”
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on June 5, 2014.
What updates have you made to your home? Tell us about it in the comments section below.