| This year the more popular home renovations tend | | | | finishes for its wonderful properties. They are highly |
| to be smaller in scale - where function trumps flash. | | | | durable, non porous and easily maintained. |
| According to Remodeling Magazine's 2010 cost vs. | | | | - Kitchen sinks are available in all shapes and sizes to |
| value report, the smaller tweaks and midrange interior | | | | compliment and fit within your kitchen - from under |
| and exterior projects are yielding the biggest bang | | | | mount, top mount and integral seamless sinks. |
| for the buck. In other words the more moderate | | | | - Cabinets and Hardware: repaint, re-stain or reface all |
| home improvement projects prove to be the most | | | | door and drawer fronts if the layout still works - |
| cost effective. | | | | otherwise plan for new and improved cabinetry. |
| So if you're thinking of selling your home now or in | | | | - Replace and update old flooring with vinyl, ceramic, |
| the near future, consider these top 5 home | | | | hardwood, concrete or stone. |
| remodeling projects to help turn your current house | | | | 3. MINOR BATH REMODEL |
| into someone else's home. | | | | Just simple upgrading of sinks faucets and fixtures |
| 1. CURB APPEAL | | | | will add value, style and sophistication. |
| First impressions are everything and you don't have | | | | - If your master bath has one sink only and you |
| to be a real estate agent to know that. If your | | | | have a 6'long space, add two new under mount sinks. |
| house is unappealing from the outside those potential | | | | - New countertops and cabinetry really set the stage |
| buyers may never make it through the front door. A | | | | for the space and are critical elements in creating a |
| great first impression could add a good 10% to the | | | | beautiful spa like environment. Consider certain |
| value of your home. | | | | marbles, soapstone, bluestone or limestone to create |
| - Define a clear pathway. | | | | a sense of luxury. |
| - Upgrade your front door. | | | | - Furniture-like cabinetry in deep warm woods evokes |
| - Update old windows with energy efficient products. | | | | richness. |
| - Replace your siding, as it tends to be the least | | | | - Flooring such as ceramic, stone, concrete and |
| costly upgrade. | | | | woods |
| - Add a porch or deck. (any extension to the | | | | - Frameless glass shower enclosures undoubtedly add |
| outdoors) | | | | to a spa-like atmosphere. |
| - Add Architectural Details such as trims, shutters and | | | | 4. CONVERTING UNFINISHED ATTICS INTO |
| moldings. | | | | BEDROOMS |
| - Add a new fence, trellis or gate. | | | | - Increasing the amount of livable space is still very |
| - Landscaping. | | | | important to homeowners and potential buyers - and |
| - Roofing - replace or repair shingles if damaged. | | | | repurposing existing space is the most cost effective |
| - Exterior Lighting. | | | | way to achieve that. It's much more cost effective |
| - Fresh Paint. | | | | than adding on, as well as being the green thing to |
| 2. MINOR or MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL | | | | do. |
| Just to give you an idea how important kitchens are | | | | - If you have the attic space you could develop a 15' |
| to a home's value - Here in the US we spend almost | | | | x15' bedroom c/w a 5x7 bath and shower. Or utilize |
| $200 billion a year on home renovation projects and | | | | that finished attic space as a home office/guest |
| $15 billion of that are spent on kitchen renovations. If | | | | suite. Allocate this new square footage to appeal to |
| your kitchen's layout works perfectly well, just | | | | you as well as the buyer. |
| making some simple updates will appeal to the | | | | 5. DEVELOPING BASEMENTS INTO AN ADDED |
| perfect buyer. | | | | LIVING SPACE |
| Either way when you go to sell your house - keep in | | | | - Developing the basement into a finished and livable |
| mind that you're essentially selling your kitchen and | | | | entertainment space. |
| the emotions attached! | | | | - Create an added bedroom and bath, office, laundry |
| - Upgrade the appliances to stainless, as it has | | | | or game room. |
| become the new standard finish in kitchen appliances. | | | | - Provide ample built-in storage, playroom and finished |
| - Countertops and Sinks. Consider Quartz surfaces, | | | | bedroom. |
| which are available in a multitude of colors, and | | | | |