Real Estate Information Archive

Before you start a kitchen or bath renovation, consider these top design trends for 2010, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. 

The most popular kitchen design style is traditional, followed by contemporary, while the Shaker style is showing a strong resurgence. White and off-white shades are popular for kitchens, while beige and bone are more popular for
bathrooms. 

Cherry and maple wood cabinets are the most popular choices for kitchens, while alder is gaining popularity. The most common finishes are medium natural, dark natural, glazed, and white painted. 

Hardwood flooring in kitchens will dominate in 2010, but ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tile remain popular for both kitchens and baths. Granite is still king for countertops and vanities, but quartz is gaining popularity. 

In both kitchens and baths, brushed nickel is the most popular finish, followed by stainless steel and satin nickel. For bathrooms, white fixtures are the most common, followed by bisque and off-white. 

French door and freezer-bottom refrigerators are popular, while under-counter refrigerator drawers and under-counter wine refrigerators are being incorporated in many of the latest kitchen designs. 

In the kitchen, pull-out and pot-filler faucets offer more flexibility for at-home cooks. Combination cooktop-wall oven ranges are becoming more popular while ranges with induction stovetops are more energy efficient. More dishwasher drawers are being installed in kitchen designs for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thus saving water and electricity.

From painting and HVAC to organizing and yard upkeep, there’s so much to think about when it comes to home care that it’s easy to overlook the one thing that protects it all — until it starts to leak.

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your house, and it also happens to take the biggest beating, thanks to the elements and general wear and tear.

A new roof is a hefty investment — it can cost $20,000 or more — so how do you know when to replace it or just repair it? Here are some tips for knowing when to patch and when to overhaul:

• As a general rule, roofs usually last 12 to 20 years, depending on the climate. If your roof is approaching the 20-year mark, shingles are more likely to be worn out, and flashing around chimneys, eaves and skylights might have decayed, leaving your roof prone to leaks.

• If there are a lot of missing or torn shingles, as opposed to just a few, then it’s best to replace the roof. Shingles also curl up and crack as they age, making them unable to resist water and exposing your home to leaks and interior damage.

• Inspect the interior walls that touch the roof. If paint is missing, they are moist to the touch or there are water stains in the house, it’s clear that water has seeped in, and the roof will most likely need to be replaced. But finding one or two leaks in a specific location could mean that a roof patch will be enough to stall any potential damage.

• Extreme weather can wreak havoc on your roof. If prolonged conditions such as rain, hail and direct sunlight have exposed parts of the house from the top, a minor patch will not be enough to protect the interior, and the roof will need to be replaced.

    Keeping your roof clean and in good repair should prevent costly replacements for years to come. But before attempting any patch or replacement, talk to an experienced roofer.

A recent survey by RemodelorMove.com finds that nearly two-thirds of homeowners are handling some parts of remodeling jobs on their own to save money. But doing it yourself may not always be a wise choice in the long run, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Correcting home improvement mistakes can be costly, and some contractors are unwilling to take on botched do-it-yourself projects. 

So how do you know if you should do it yourself or hire a contractor? Here are some factors to consider:

Costs – Look at all the costs, including the cost of materials, time and the tools you may need. If the job doesn’t turn out right, can you afford to re-do the project or correct mistakes?

Skills – Do you have all the tools, and more importantly, the skills required to do the job?

Knowledge – Have you done this work before? Do you know all the steps involved? Are you familiar with local building codes and permit requirements? Some local jurisdictions require that the work be completed by a licensed professional to meet code.

Time – Do you have the time to devote to completing the project? Always double or triple the estimated time for a DIY project, unless you are highly skilled and are familiar with the project.

Personality – Do you enjoy physical work? Do you have reliable work habits? Are you persistent and patient to see a project through to the end?

Materials – How will you obtain the materials you need?

Safety – You health and safety comes first. Experts suggest you don’t attempt major projects that could put your well being in jeopardy, such as electrical or roofing. Call a professional instead.

Whether you are preparing your home for an open house or simply want to give your front entry a makeover, you can often find low-cost solutions to update your home’s appearance and give potential buyers a positive first impression. Home-improvement retailer  Lowe’s recommends the following quick fixes:

1.     Install upgraded light fixtures and set out a new doormat.

2.     Put a kickplate on the front door to add some elegance and to help prevent scuffs and dents.

3.     Replace the door hardware and doorbell and coordinate the finish with your lighting and kickplate.

4.     Paint the door in a bright, appealing color to create an instant focal point.

5.     To dress up a plain porch and steps, stain the concrete. To give the appearance of stone, combine two stain colors.

6.     Add house numbers, and choose large digits so guests can easily read them.

7.     Plant small trees or shrubs. For added effect, choose something fragrant such as tea olive.

8.     Flank the entry way with planters and then change out the plants each season for fresh splashes of color.

9.     Add lighting along the path leading to the entry. For a more eco-friendly option, choose fixtures with solar panels. The sun charges them during the day for nighttime lighting.

Not all tiles are alike. Some are more durable and wear-resistant than others. And with so many colors and styles available, choosing one that’s right for your home can be a challenge. Before you buy, here’s what you need to know from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

     Ceramic tile is less expensive than other types and come in two styles: porcelain and non-porcelain. Non-porcelain tile is suitable for light to moderate traffic, but it is more prone to wear. Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water than ceramic tile. It is also more wear- and damage-resistant.

    The NKBA recommends that you check the tile’s rating from Class 1 (no foot traffic) to Class 5 (heavy to extra heavy traffic) to determine its recommended use.

    Another option is natural stone tile, which is commonly found in slate, marble, limestone, travertine and granite. Slate is a dense, tough composite available in shades of black, gray and green. It is best suited for floors, walkways and roofing, and recently has been used in kitchen countertops and wet bars.

    Marble is a popular natural stone that is softer than granite. It is used most often in bathroom walls and flooring, tub decks, fireplace surrounds, furniture, sculptures and courtyards. Marble is not recommended for kitchens unless the stone is honed and sealed.

    Limestone is less dense than marble or travertine. It comes in earthy colors, such as off-white, grey and beige, and it is best used for structural walls, entry walls, floors, fireplace surrounds, vanities and shower walls. However, it can stain and scratch easily, so it is not recommended for kitchen countertops and wet bars.

    Travertine is less dense than high-grade marble and highly porous, and comes in light beige to brown. However, some cleaning products can damage the surface. Travertine is best used for entry walls, floors, vanities, shower walls, tub decks and mosaics, but not for countertops because it scratches and stains easily.

    Once polished, granite can maintain its high gloss finish forever. It’s also easy to clean and durable, which makes it ideal for kitchen countertops, wet bars, entry walls, floors, fireplaces and bathroom vanities.

Windows are one of your home’s best features, and the right treatments can really make them stand out. With so many varieties and styles available — from sheer, embroidered curtains to shutters and woven wood shades — finding one that suits your home and fits your budget may be a challenge. Experts offer these tips for finding the right treatment for your home.

Set a budget. Treatments can be pricey, so be realistic about what you can afford. Visit retail stores and Web sites to check costs of fabric, blinds, shutters and ready-made draperies. If you know how to sew, you can create your own treatments to save money.

Set priorities. Experts suggest dressing the windows in the living room and bedrooms first since those are the most-used rooms. Then set a schedule for the remaining rooms.

Consider your lifestyle. How you live will determine what treatments are needed in certain areas. For example, if you cook a lot, avoid delicate fabrics in the kitchen where they might get splattered. For high traffic areas, choose more durable, washable materials, such as cotton, nylon or acrylic. 

Think about function. Do you want your window treatments to control sunlight or noise, provide privacy or insulate against heat or cold? For example, to control light, vertical blinds and shutters are a versatile choice since you can tilt slats or louvers to let in the right amount of light.

Find your style. If you are not sure what your style is, get ideas from books and magazines. Or browse the Encyclopedia of Window Fashions, which has hundreds of examples and charts.

Before installing, measure the window area more than once. Draperies should be hung at least four inches above the window frame and should overlap the frame two to four inches on either side of the window. Using decorative hardware can add personality to a room.

Is your home designed for kids? Probably not. But it is important to create a home that’s safe for kids, even if you don’t have children, especially if you want it to appear family-friendly.

    Safety gates, outlet covers and cabinet locks are some of the more obvious tools to child-proof your home, but potential hazards lurk elsewhere. Think about how kids often run into a room — and think about the sharp corners of tables, counters and bookshelves.

     In the kitchen, consider installing padding on the corners of islands and countertops. You might also want to consider installing a stovetop barrier to prevent pots from falling or being pulled off the stove and to protect children from hot splatters and spills.

    Floor vents can also attract curious hands; if pulled out from the floor, the grate’s sharp edges can be dangerous. To deal with this danger, screw the vents into the floor.

     Standard doorstops — the kind with the rubber tips — are another often-overlooked hazard. The tips can easily be pulled off and pose a potential choking hazard. Consider replacing these with solid, one-piece doorstops.

     These solutions for warding off accidents are easy and inexpensive — and worthwhile in more ways than one.

Source: Ron Hazelton’s House Calls (www.ronhazelton.com)

Put your money where your mouth is. When it comes to remodeling your home, that old saying is especially appropriate. A kitchen is one of the best rooms in your home to consider renovating. Your bathroom is next on the list.

    Whether you’re planning to stay in your home for a while or are looking to sell in a few years, kitchen and bath remodels are great ways to increase the value — and enjoyment — of your home.

Quantifying how much a renovated room will improve your quality of life may be impossible, but determining what percentage of each dollar spent on home improvements you’ll recoup when you sell is a little bit easier.

    According to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value Report, which surveyed 300 real estate professionals in 60 markets across the nation, the average return on investment for:

• a minor kitchen remodel (average cost $20,000) is 83 percent;

• a major kitchen remodel (average cost $55,000) is 78.1 percent; and

• a bathroom remodel (average cost $15,000) is 78.3 percent.

     Despite these ROI statistics, it’s always a good idea to research the features that are popular with other homes in your neighborhood. If most houses have upgraded kitchens with all the latest bells and whistles, you’re likely to get a better return if you remodel your kitchen. To get a better sense of how a kitchen or bath remodel might shake out given your neighborhood, talk to an appraiser or go to www.cyberhomes.com, where you can enter your address and use the “Refine Value” tool to see how changing different aspects of your home might impact your bottom line.

The word “mud” might not sound inviting, but a mudroom can actually be a welcoming — and useful — space. Mudrooms, which serve as a transition between the outdoors and the inside of a home, are traditionally found in cold, snowy climates as a place to change out of wet clothes and shoes. But, whether large or small, they’re ideal for houses in any climate. They can minimize cleaning (no tracking dirt through the house), maximize storage and help with organization. Whether you already have a mudroom or are thinking about creating one, consider:

    Location. Off the kitchen or near the back door are the most popular locations for mudrooms, but garages and utility closets are also prime spots.

    Flooring. This is the one place in the house where the floors are supposed to get dirty. Choose a durable, non-slip material — tile, stone, vinyl, laminate, concrete — in a dark color. And be sure to include a few doormats: a fiber or rubber mat to clean off shoes and an absorbent, washable rug to keep dirt from getting tracked in.

    Walls. Surely they will get dinged and scratched and splashed, so choose coverings wisely. Vinyl wallpaper or an easy-to-clean, moisture-proof paint should do the trick.

    Seating. Although you likely won’t be spending too much time in your mudroom, a place to sit is key. A sturdy chair or bench is useful for removing wet shoes or boots.

    Storage. Choose organizing accessories based on the main purpose of the space and who uses it most. If it functions mainly as a staging area for adults, be sure to prominently feature coat and key hooks, as well as a place to sort mail. If kids are the main focus, include labeled storage bins and designated areas for backpacks and after-school activity gear, such as sporting goods. No matter how the room is used, it’s a good idea to include plenty of shelving and racks for shoes.

Sources: This Old House, Lowe’s