Real Estate Information Archive

Тhe leading expert in color, Pantone, Inc., has made it official: Turquoise is the “it” color for 2010. But before you deck the house from top to bottom in the gemstone hue, consider the other latest color trends.

Behr paint company says neutral is still in — think light colors such as grays, camels and off-whites. Experts suggest buying bigger furniture such as sofas or armchairs in these safe colors, which never truly go out of style. Complement neutrals with aqua and gold tones, but stay away from darker browns, which are becoming passé.

While monochromatic schemes are still versatile and dependable, HGTV says the real winners in the color game right now are bold jewel colors such as ruby red or emerald green, and the brighter the better — especially if it’s a purple hue. Experts advise pairing these daring tones with a smoky charcoal or a softer black to give a room a vintage feel.

Going green and getting back to nature is a major trend, too. Earthier tones, such as sand or yellow-greens, are perfect for living rooms or kitchens. But going back to your roots doesn’t just mean dipping into Mother Earth’s favorite colors. Decorators say Asian-inspired or tribal patterns are adorning decorative elements as consumers look to get the most bang for their buck. Think pillows, area rugs or murals as key items this season.

    Amid concerns about the economy, homeowners are moving ahead with remodeling plans, but are focusing on smaller projects, according to two separate surveys. In Remodeling Magazine’s 2009-10 Cost vs. Value report, which compares national and regional remodeling costs for 33 popular remodeling projects, homeowners who opted to hire contractors for home remodeling projects in 2009 most often tackled small-scale jobs and replacements.

     Exterior replacement projects (doors, windows, etc.) continue to recoup the most dollars at resale, which makes them attractive to homeowners looking to improve curb appeal. Replacements are also among the least expensive projects to complete. Entry door replacements (steel), which recoup nearly 129 percent of their costs at resale, returned the most on investment. Other high-ranking cost-vs.-value projects were siding replacements, attic bedrooms and deck additions.

     Projects that recouped the least were home-office remodels, sunrooms, upscale master suites, upscale garage additions and upscale bathroom additions.

     For project data for the 80 U.S. cities surveyed, visit Remodeling magazine’s Web site at http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx.

     A Service Magic survey also finds that after a brief slowdown in 2009, homeowners are moving forward with their remodeling plans, with a focus on improving the most important areas in their home like bathrooms and kitchens, as well as smaller-scale projects, like countertops. More homeowners also are adding home theaters and computer rooms to personalize their homes for the long-term. While kitchen and bathroom remodels remain popular, fewer owners are tackling larger projects, such as home additions and remodels of multiple rooms.