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January 6, 2018November 23, 2021

Keeping New Year’s home resolution

Your home is an extension of your persona. The condition of your home impacts how you feel. So, what better way to start the new year than making a New Year’s home resolution to improving your living space?

There is disagreement about the need for and impact of New Year’s resolutions. Many believe that making a conscious and purposeful declaration to better your life can get you on the right path. However, many mental health professionals believe that making resolutions can be a set up for failure and disappointment if your expectations are too high.

Making a New Year’s home resolution can be achievable if you make it sensible and meaningful. Decide on the goal and make a plan detailing how you will accomplish it. Ask yourself how the project will improve your life. Sensory prompts, such as a picture of a clutter free family room or a carpet sample, can help you stay focused on the goal and keep you motivated. You don’t have to go it alone either. Consider hiring a professional. If you decide to go the Do-It-Yourself route, make it a bonding opportunity by enlisting friends and/or family to assist you.

Whether you hire a professional or not, you need a plan on how you will actualize your home project. It’s good to be ambitious with your New Year’s home resolution, but don’t fall into the trap deciding the project can be completed in one or two days. Instead, be realistic. After all, your daily routine is probably busy, if not hectic. Decide on how much time you can realistically devote to the project, and put in on your calendar.

Whatever your New Year’s home resolution is, start with one room. If need be, break the room down in sections to help organize where in the room you will begin and where to go next. Collect and organize the materials you need for the project before you begin. The greatest distraction from achieving your resolution is a trip to the store for extra supplies.

The most likely number one New Year’s resolution for the home is decluttering. This makes sense because we all lead busy lives and collect stuff throughout the year. But reducing the clutter in your home doesn’t only improve its appearance, it can also make you more comfortable. Decluttering may also give a boost to your mental health. Consider consulting with a professional organizer to help plan the project.

A home makeover is another popular New Year’s resolution project. Fresh and new is always in. Whether it’s painting a room or two, or installing new flooring, giving your home a new look can improve its appearance. A new look can also affect how we feel. Choose your color scheme carefully, because various colors elicit different responses. For example, a blue-grays may seem relaxing, while reds are invigorating and exciting.

Catching up on deferred maintenance seems to be the New Year’s resolution that can get overwhelming. Despite our best intentions, we all have put off some repair or regular upkeep at one time or another. But repairs and maintenance are not static. Meaning that over time, issues can get worse, and neglected systems can break down. Instead of putting off repairs and maintenance, consider hiring a licensed contractor.

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

November 30, 2017December 1, 2017

Home remodeling to stay or sell

The Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University predicts expanded growth of home remodeling and renovations through most of 2018. That’s a good indication that the economy has picked up and the many homes that fell in disrepair after the Great recession are getting the much-needed attention to extend their functionality.

It wasn’t that long ago when Kermit Baker wrote about a crisis of the declining housing stock due to extensive deferred maintenance (The Return of Substandard Housing; housingperspectives.blogspot.com; February 27, 2013). The article written for the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University highlighted the considerable reduction of home maintenance as measured by home owner “maintenance spending” during the Great Recession. This seemed to be a low point for the country’s housing stock. The 28 percent decrease in maintenance spending between 2007 and 2011 essentially nullified the renovation spending during the housing boom.

Home remodeling activity Q3-2017 (graph from jchs.harvard.edu)

The Remodeling Futures Program releases a quarterly data for Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA). The LIRA is a “a short-term outlook of national home improvement and repair spending to owner-occupied homes.” The most recent data indicates that home remodeling and repair spending will escalate from the fourth quarter of 2017 into the third quarter of 2018, estimating an increase from 6.3 percent to 7.7 percent. The significant increase in home improvement spending is attributed to a strengthening economy, home equity gains, and low home re-sale inventory. Chris Herbert, Managing Director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies is optimistic about maintenance spending. Herbert said:

“Recent strengthening of the US economy, tight for-sale housing inventories, and healthy home equity gains are all working to boost home improvement activity…Over the coming year, owners are projected to spend in excess of $330 billion on home upgrades and replacements, as well as routine maintenance.“

The current LIRA data doesn’t include the effects of recent hurricanes. It is expected that those recent disasters will significantly increase the anticipated projected maintenance spending.

Home owners really have no choice but to spend on renovations, remodeling and repairs, especially if they are planning on selling their home. Most home buyers want a turnkey home, where the home is fresh and new and offers minimal maintenance during the first year of ownership. The desire for a turnkey home is probably why new home sales are at a ten-year high. This week, the US Census Bureau (census.gov) released new home sale data that indicates a month-over-month increase of 6.2 percent, and a year-over-year increase of 18.7 percent! To compete with other re-sales and new homes, home sellers must factor in the cost of home renovations.

There are many home owners who still can’t afford to move. The fact that many are still priced out of the move-up market has been a major issue holding back the housing market. This phenomenon is also responsible for continued low home re-sale inventories. As a result, many home owners are staying in their homes much longer than anticipated. The National Association of Realtors indicated in the Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report 2017 (nar.realtor) that home buyers anticipate staying in a home about twelve years. This is an increase of about five years compared to a decade ago.

Although many home owners still can’t move, they are deciding to do home “make overs.” The make overs will give their homes a fresh look, that typically include new floors and paint schemes. Additionally, kitchen and bathroom renovations modernize the home. However, home owners needing more room, are opting to expand their homes to give them larger spaces. Some home owners are going beyond the basics and creating different spaces by moving walls.

Regardless of your reasons for home renovations and repairs, home improvement experts recommend to create a budget and stick to it, and always hire licensed contractors.

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March 18, 2017October 20, 2020

Misguided house makeover

Do you really need to spend money to make money? Deciding what renovations and updates to make prior to your home sale can be tormenting. It’s easy enough to say that your home needs a facelift; but, the repairs, updates, and painting costs money – and usually lots of it. The suggestion of making renovations and updates to your home before you sell is everywhere, it’s on TV, the internet, and magazines. And if you ask friends and real estate agents, they will also give you a list of “must do’s.” Regardless of how you decide to do a house makeover before the sale, chances are that you’re not doing it right.

There is no doubt that many home buyers are looking for a turn-key home. If your home is not “out of the box brand new,” you probably need to freshen it up, as well as make some repairs and updates. But before you embark on the house makeover by making those renovations, you need to ask yourself two important questions: “How much money can I realistically allot for a makeover?” and “How much am I expecting to net from my home sale?”

Does a house makeover really get you top dollar? Spending money on renovations will certainly make the home sell faster, but not necessarily make you more money. And there is no guarantee that the house makeover renovations you make are to home buyers’ tastes. So if you’re goal is to get top dollar, don’t look at the sale price. Instead keep your eye on your estimated net (the amount you’re left with after the sale minus total renovation costs).

Of course, the best way to maintain your home’s value is to perform regular maintenance. It would certainly make the home prep easier too! But the reality is that many home owners defer maintenance until they feel it’s absolutely necessary. Deferring maintenance can actually cost more in repairs down the line, and lower your home sale price. Spending money to correct all the years of neglected repairs and updates prior to the home sale won’t necessarily get you top dollar.

Not all buyers are looking for renovated homes. One of Stephen B. Billings conclusions in his recent research (Hedonic Amenity Valuation and Housing Renovations; Real Estate Economics; Fall 2015, 43:652-82) was that during the past “healthy” housing market, there was a balance between renovated and non-renovated homes that sold. However, he also found there was an increase in renovated home sales during the housing downturn of 2007.

Selling your home “as-is” would certainly decrease your sale price, but could net you the same or even more if weighed against extensive renovations of the house makeover. Consider that you would only recoup a fraction of the cost of a minor kitchen and bathroom remodel; which averages about $20,122 and $17,908 respectively (according to 2016 Cost vs Value Report; remodeling.hw.net).

Concentrate on the basics of decluttering first. Decluttering can make your home look different and feel larger. Decluttering can set the stage for fo you decide on renovations, and maybe even home staging.

If you decide on freshening up your home before the sale, start with the basics. Focus on deferred maintenance, and make necessary repairs. Consider a fresh coat of paint, and maybe new carpets. Wood floors don’t necessarily have to be replaced or sanded; flooring professionals use state of the art processes to “renew” wood floors.

If you decide on a house makeover, focus first on making repairs and freshening your home. Work out a budget and get several quotes from licensed contractors. Don’t automatically go for the cheapest quote, even if you’re on a tight budget. Focus on quality, even if it means limiting the scope of work. Poor workmanship can sabotage your home sale by making your home look shabby and in need of additional repairs and updates.

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September 16, 2016July 13, 2019

Property Brothers option to home buying

If you’re looking for the perfect turn-key home, you may find that the already limited home inventory is further limited by the many homes with deferred maintenance and those that are in need of updates. If you’re like the many frustrated home buyers in today’s market, you may decide to take the route of buying a home that includes the Property Brothers option.

As you know, HGTV’s Property Brothers is one of the most popular real estate shows on cable. What makes the show work is the concept of transformation; creating a model home from one that is crying out for TLC. Of course, the magic of TV makes it seem easy; home buyers appearing on the show put their trust into the dynamic duo to find the right home and to make it perfect.

A warning, however, this process is not for everyone. Undergoing this type of project (buying and rehabbing a home) is taking an already exasperating process and making it an emotional and financial challenge. It is also a time consuming, as you’re totally involved – from buying to rehabbing the home. Your experience may be similar to those on TV, nevertheless it is more likely to feel like the movie “The Money Pit” or somewhere in between.

Unlike the Property Brothers, you don’t need your real estate agent and your contractor to know each other. Each has a distinct role; one is helping you acquire the home, and the other is remaking it. However, it’s a good idea to make sure each is licensed and experienced in this type of process. Ask for references; some contractors will even have a portfolio of their work.

Before you begin taking the Property Brothers option, make sure you have the funding and your real estate agent and contractors are ready for action.

Talk to a lender about a renovation loan. Besides providing the money to buy the home, a renovation loan will provide funding for renovations. Loan programs and mortgage limits vary, so it’s a good idea to get qualified before you write a contract to buy a home. Make sure your contractor can provide details about the renovation, as the underwriter will review the plans. Consider a FHA 203K program, which also offers a “streamline” version for less expensive renovations.

Working with a top notch real estate agent is key in not only finding a home, but also negotiating a price. The ability to think outside the box is very helpful in this phase. They should be able to find the “diamond in the rough,” that provides suitable space at the right price. If you’re communicating well with your agent, they will understand your requirements.

Once you identify a home (and before you write the offer), meeting with the contractor will determine if your vision is possible, and its price. Be realistic and flexible. Be prepared for bad news and to move on to another home. Sometimes the home needs too much work and/or the cost of the renovation could be beyond your budget.

Even if you have lots of cash to spare, it’s recommended that you start by creating a budget. Besides the acquisition cost, consider the renovation costs and carrying costs (if the project is long term). Also decide on your limitations. You may decide on limiting renovations to kitchen and bathrooms; or you could broaden the project to be more ambitious. Consider creating a short term and long term plan for the house; focusing on critical repairs immediately, and making other updates over time.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2016

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March 17, 2016December 13, 2022

The roof overhead

How to know your roof needs to be replaced (http://phoenixroofingteam.com)

People often ask why I frequently talk about home maintenance, and specifically the importance of maintaining the roof. The reason is simple; many issues can develop with an improperly maintained or neglected roof. Besides allowing water to penetrate directly into the inside of your home from a leaky roof, water can also penetrate a basement when the roof and gutters are not properly directing water away from the foundation.

Besides leaving unsightly stains, water entering the home from a leaking roof can seep through walls and ceilings deteriorating drywall and even possibly weakening floor trusses/beams. Water from improperly moved water can create standing water around the home, and enter into the basement. Additionally, any water penetration into the home has the potential to promote mold growth; which not only can affect your health but your home’s structure as well.

It’s obvious that a leaking roof is a problem; and now you know how an unchecked leak can damage your home over time. The good news is that proper maintenance can prevent major leaks and resulting damage. Visually checking the roof (from the ground) regularly can make you aware of general condition of the shingles, flashing, gutters and downspouts. Curling, lifting, broken or missing shingles as well as missing or broken flashing are potential water entryways into your home; and it may be an indication that you should call a licensed roofer to further inspect and repair the roof.

Debris on the roof can not only damage the roofing material, it can also clog or damage the gutters and downspouts. The purpose for gutters and downspouts is to carry water away from the home so as to prevent soil erosion around the home’s basement and foundation; which is a common cause of outside water penetration into the basement. Clogged or damaged gutters and downspouts should also be repaired in a timely manner. Experts recommend to clean and inspect the gutters and downspouts twice a year to ensure proper function.

The two most common roof types are the flat roof and the pitched roof. Flat roofs are typically covered by a membrane, and are thought to be more vulnerable to weather than pitched roofs because of the limitation of gravity’s water draining action. Pitched roofs can be covered in a number of materials. Although shingled roofs are very common, metal roofs are becoming more popular because of its durability. Shingles can be made of many different materials for aesthetic and architectural needs (including solar panel shingles); but in our region the asphalt shingle is most common, and generally has a life expectancy of twenty to fifty years (depending on the quality).

If it’s time to replace the roof, have several roofing contractors provide you with estimates detailing the materials used and estimated labor. A cheaper estimate may not only be the difference in the quality of shingles; but also may not remove the old shingles, leaving them intact under the new roof. Make sure your estimate includes contractor clean up, so you’re not left with piles of old roofing material in your yard.

Always hire a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) licensed contractor. The MHIC maintains a Guaranty Fund that compensates homeowners for actual monetary losses due to poor workmanship or failure to perform a home improvement contract; however, The Fund only applies to work done by licensed contractors. The contractor’s license can be checked on the MHIC website (dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic).

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