Home Remodeling on the Rise

Realtor® Cheryl Westwood ~ Lake Havasu City Real Estate

There is really good news coming from recent reports and surveys out of the home remodeling industry.  Home remodeling is on the rise, with an increase of 5% since 2008.  This is a bright outlook for the home remodeling industry and many homeowners can get really good deals on their home remodeling projects now.

Remodeling costs are now down by 20% since the highest prices back in 2006.  Many of these savings have come from several sources, such as lower bids from contractors, the economic stimulus package and a reduction in material prices.

Homeowners that are looking into remodeling their home usually remodel the kitchen or bathroom within the first few months of purchasing the property or refinancing it.  However, before you begin your remodeling project, there are some things you should consider first.

What are your goals now and what do you think they will be in 5 to 10 years from now?  Will the room you remodel be used the most often?  How functional do you want or need it to be for you and your family?  These are important questions to ask yourself and require careful planning.

A design professional can help you through the planning process.  They will help you consider how the space will be used, style and function.  A design professional can also help you stay within your budget and make sure all the small details, construction and timeline are taken care of.  It will help the project go more smoothly.

As always, there is nothing wrong with doing the work yourself as long as you know what you are doing and have some experience in doing it.  Depending on the project, novices shouldn’t try to handle a project they know nothing about.  In the end, it could end up costing you more to have your mess up fixed up.

Good luck with your home remodeling project.

Be “In” with the In-Law Crowd

With the generations getting older, health care costs on the rise and the real estate market at a virtual standstill, many people are considering adding an in-law suite to their home as a nice guest room alternative or a permanent residence for our elderly relatives.  Not only does the addition of an in-law suite mean a more cost-effective way to help take care of your parents, but it also provides added resale value to your home.  The most important thing to remember before starting construction of any kind on your home is to check the local building codes to make sure that nothing is in violation.

There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding how to build your in-law suite.  First, privacy is key.  It’s nice to have a common gathering area, but the elderly still need to feel like they have their own space.  A separate outside entrance and kitchenette can add to their sense of independence while still being under one roof.  Keeping the living area on the ground floor of a multi-story home can help ease the stress on elderly joints and bones as well.

Next; an elderly-friendly bathroom is essential.  This tends to be the hardest room in the house to maneuver as people get older.  The toilet seats can be too low, causing stress to the knees and back.  Getting a seat extender is a simple fix to this problem.  If you can’t afford the extra expense of a built-in shower bench, many companies offer non-slip shower chairs that come with the added convenience of baskets on the side to hold soap, shampoo and any other necessary items.  Also, keep the bathroom as close to the bedroom as possible.  Depending on your guest’s mobility, it can take some time to get out of bed and to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Lastly, remember that this area may not always be used just for the “in-laws”.  Make sure to keep the design versatile enough for any future use you may have.  Keep the fixtures fashionable and easily transitionable from in-law suite to guest quarters, home office or even a possible master suite.  This will go a long way in the resale of your home.