Renovating with Value in Mind

What is going to add value depends as much on the type of renovation as the particular housing market. And Mr. Miller said he tells clients that “personal taste and market taste” can be different.

Have value questions?  Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your home valuation.

New roofs and insulation have great financial returns, said Jessica Lautz, managing director of survey research at the National Association of Realtors, which teamed up last year with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry to determine the value of renovations.

Ms. Lautz said people who would like to recoup more of their investment would do better by aiming for boring. Putting in new insulation and garage doors or replacing a roof, siding or windows adds value and saves energy.

But new kitchens and bathrooms make owners happy, and their value is more difficult to discern.

According to the Realtors report, the average price of a kitchen renovation is $60,000 and carries a “joy score” of 9.8 out of 10. Yet, the report found, only 67 percent of the price is recovered when the owner sells the house. A bathroom renovation typically cost $26,000 and has a joy score of 9.3, but only 58 percent of that will be recovered.

Stan Humphries, chief economist for Zillow Group, said he found in his research that high-end bath and kitchen renovations were among the worst investments (though not as bad as finishing a basement).

On the other hand, he said, a “midrange bathroom remodel” could reap a big increase in value. These are renovations where a fairly bland bathroom is made into something “you’d bring your guests into,” he said. The return is $1.71 for every $1 spent.

read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/28/your-money/renovations-that-add-value-to-a-home-think-shingles-not-marble.html?_r=0

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

How to spend your kitchen remodeling budget

kit 1

SPEND ON: Appliances
Good quality appliances are the most important features in your kitchen. It’s important to choose designs that do the hard work for you. For example, consider an oven that has a pyrolytic self-cleaning system. It’s basically a function that you set the oven to in which it cleans itself while you relax with a cup of tea! This pyrolytic function does add a bit to the cost, but the convenience of not having to spend hours scrubbing the oven with smelly cleaners is worth it.

It’s also a good idea to prioritize energy efficiency in appliances that are on all day (fridges, for example) and to invest in slimmer options that save on space.

TIP: When purchasing new appliances, ask the store if they are selling any of their display models for a discount. They will be ‘sold as seen’, which means there may be scratches or other damage on the appliance, but this will be reflected in the price. Also ask about package deals. Often if you purchase an oven and cook-top, you can avail a discounted price on the range-hood, for example.

SAVE ON: Handles
A stylish handle doesn’t have to carry a big price tag. You can pick up some great kitchen cabinet handles on average for as little as $4 each. Check out online wholesalers and speak to other Houzz users who may be able to recommend places where they have found good deals in the past.

Expect to pay a lot more for a handle that is made entirely from stainless steel. Unless you live near the sea where salt water corrosion is an issue, stainless steel is not necessary. Zinc aluminium alloy is used to manufacture the majority of kitchen cabinet handles – it’s a much more cost-effective material and can be finished in many ways.

TIP: If you choose knobs that only require one hole to be drilled in your cabinet doors, they will be easy to replace in a few months/years if you fancy a change. So if you don’t overspend now you will be able to justify a change later!

read more at: http://www.domain.com.au/advice/spend-kitchen-renovation-budget/

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes

Father of the Bride House For Sale

 father

In news that will delight fans of wedding movies, the iconic house from the Father of the Bride has hit the market.

For $US2 million ($2.7 million) buyers can snap up the house Steve Martin and Diane Keaton’s on-screen daughter was married in.

The colonial mansion sits on a suburban street in Alhambra, California on a huge 1624-square-metre block – the garden had to be large enough to shoot the film’s wedding scenes.

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom home dates back to 1925 and last sold for $US1.26 million three years ago.

It boasts a solarium, three bespoke fireplaces and an indoor water feature in the sunroom.

Though the owners have kept the classic 1990s checkered linoleum floor, the kitchen has been renovated with modern appliances.

see more photos at: http://www.domain.com.au/news/house-from-father-of-the-bride-hits-the-market-20160616-gpjryx/