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Which Remodeling Projects “Pay Off” When You Sell?

January 11th, 2009 cgrossman Posted in Home Improvement, Home Sellers Comments Off

 

Want to “spruce up” your home – but not sure which remodeling projects will “pay-off”  when you decide to sell?  You know that a kitchen or bathroom remodel will always be worth more to a buyer than redoing a spare bedroom.  But what about new siding, windows or a roof – or a master bedroom expansion – which will give you the best return on that investment? 

 

Remodeling’s “Cost vs. Value” 2008-2009 Report is a good guide to answering those questions.    It compares construction costs for common remodeling projects with the value that they add to the selling price of your home.  The national numbers do show a trend, but it’s better to look at the Regional Data for information about our area.  And then, keep the upgrades within the norm for the neighborhood – although, with all the rebuilding and renovating of homes in the Dix Hills & Melville area during the past few years, I don’t find that a problem.  I do think that the renovations should be consistent with the style, size and condition of the home.  Don’t let one project completely overwhelm the rest of the home.  

 

 According to the report data, exterior projects gave the highest return – underscoring the oft-repeated phrase about the importance of “curb appeal” when selling your home.   Realtor Magazine is a co-sponsor of the “Cost vs. Value” report and you can find some good information about it on their web site.  CNN Money has a great Renovation Calculator that is based on the report and will help answer the question, “Will this renovation project pay off?”   Certainly, buyers are attracted to updated homes – no matter what the market.  Making sure that your home remodeling project adds value to your home is a smart move – whether you’re planning to sell or not.

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Energy Saving Compact Flurorescent Light Bulbs

October 6th, 2008 cgrossman Posted in Home Improvement, Homeowner Tips Comments Off

Reduce energy costs with Compact Flurorescent Bulbs (CFLs)
Changing some of the light bulbs in your home from traditional (incandescent) to compact fluorescents (CFLs) will reduce the amount of electricity you use and lower your electric bill. While CFLs cost more to purchase, they use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and will last ten times longer. So, you easily get your money back. Save your receipts in case you need to return it to the retailer if your ENERGY STAR qualified CFL bulb stops working within the warranty period (2 years).
To maximize the energy benefit of CFLs, use them in light fixtures that are on for several hours per day or at least 15 minutes at a time. You can use CFLs inside and outside of your home. (Check the package to make sure the bulb is designed for outdoor use.) CFLs work best in fixtures that are open, which allow for airflow. Such fixtures include floor lamps, table lamps, pendants, wall sconces and outdoor fixtures. A type of CFL called a “Reflector CFL” cEnergy Saving Tip for Dix Hills Homeowners!an be used in enclosed fixtures (e.g., recessed fixtures).
CFLs can be used with motion sensors, timers and occupancy sensors. There are also some CFLs available that can be used with dimmer switches. Their long-life makes them good choices for hard-to-reach areas. You won’t have to pull out that ladder again for a long time!
CFLs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you should be able to find one to fit your fixture. Bring your existing bulb with you to the store so you can compare its size to the CFL bulbs at the store.
 
You may have heard that CFLs contain mercury. They do contain a very small amount within the tubing of the bulb, about 4 milligrams or less. Compare this to the older thermometers, which contained 500 milligrams. Mercury is not released unless the bulbs are broken.
*        
If a CFL breaks in your home, follow the EPA clean-up recommendations.  
1.     Air out the Room: Open a window and have everyone leave the room for at least 15 minutes. Be sure to turn off your central forced-air heating/air-conditioning system. You can also place fans in the windows to blow the air out of the room. If the room doesn’t have any windows, then open all doors to the room and open the windows in any adjacent rooms. Fans can be used to move the air out of the room and to open windows in adjacent rooms.
2.     Cleaning-up Hard Surfaces: Wearing disposable gloves (if possible), use stiff paper or cardboard to scoop up larger glass fragments and powder and place debris in a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape (or something similar) to pick up remaining glass pieces and powder. The area should be wiped clean with damp paper towels. Dispose of the paper towels in a glass jar/plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the area.
3.     Cleaning-up Carpeting/Rugs: Pick up larger glass fragments (carefully) and place in glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape (or something similar) to pick up remaining glass pieces and powder. If you do need to use a vacuum to clean the area, then remove the vacuum bag or empty and wipe the canister and put the debris in a sealable plastic bag. In the future, for the next several times you vacuum the area, turn off your central forced-air heating/air-conditioning system while vacuuming and leave it off for at least 15 minutes with the window open after you have finished.
4.     Cleaning-up Clothing, Bedding, etc.: Unfortunately, any clothing or bedding that comes in contact with the broken glass or powder needs to be thrown away. Washing the clothing or bedding is not an option since the mercury fragments could contaminate your washing machine and possibly pollute the sewage. Clothing worn just for the clean up can be washed, as long as you didn’t get any glass or powder on them. Use damp paper towels to clean your shoes and place the towels in a glass jar or sealable plastic bag.
5.     Disposing Clean-up Materials: Bring the glass jars or plastic bags containing the debris and paper towels outside. If your state allows trash disposal, then put the jars/plastic bags in the trash. Otherwise bring the debris to the specified recycling center. Don’t forget to wash your hands after putting the materials in the trash.
 
CFLs can replace incandescent bulbs in almost any light fixture. So, decide which lighting fixtures would be appropriate for CFLs, purchase the right type of CFL and start reducing your energy bills!
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Remodeling Projects that Pay Off!

July 5th, 2008 cgrossman Posted in Around the Town, Home Improvement, Home Sellers, Huntington 1 Comment »

Dix Hills Remodeling Projects that Pay Off!Most homeowners consider a remodeling project at one time or another. Sometimes it’s to enlarge space or to update bathrooms and kitchen; and sometimes projects are undertaken to increase the home’s value before putting it on the market.   But which remodeling projects actually add value to your home? Even if the motivation for the project is for your own personal needs or enjoyment, why not do it in a way that pays off when you sell your home?
After selling homes for 23-plus years in the Dix Hills, Melville, Huntington areas – through Good Markets and Slow Markets – I find that the old adage holds true:  Use Neutral Colors. If you love the newest color, use it as an accent or a removable piece (or wallpaper or paint) – rather than a permanent fixture. Mauve, turquoise, Harvest Gold – all had their “place in the sun” – and remained as bathroom fixtures and such long after their popularity vanished. Nothing makes a house look more “dated” than once trendy colors that are no longer in fashion.  
Before you start a remodeling project you should read the “Cost vs. Value Report” from Remodeling Online. Every year they publish a report that compares construction costs for common remodeling projects with the value that they add to the selling price of your home. CNN Money Online has a “renovation calculator” that is based on the report.  Certainly, buyers are attracted to updated homes – no matter what the market. Making sure that your home remodeling project adds value to your home is a smart move – whether you’re planning to sell or not.
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Adding a deck can extend the living area to the outdoors!

June 26th, 2008 cgrossman Posted in Home Improvement, Long Island Living Comments Off

Long Island is a wonderful place to be in the summer!  Adding a deck is one way to create an outdoor living area.   A deck is a desirable feature for a home and can return 86.7 percent on the original investment. There are several deck building materials to choose from: wood, composite, fiberglass-reinforced plastic and plastic. Photo by Rob Cuni Photography. www.RobCuni.com
 
Wood is a top choice for most and is quite affordable, but it is high maintenance. Pressure-treated lumber made without arsenic is safe and provides resistance to decay and termites. The process of pressure-treating wood involves exposing the wood to chemicals under high pressure, which then protect the wood from decay and termites. There are different grades of pressure-treated wood, which indicate its intended use. Use the highest chemical-retention level for any permanent wood foundations or ground contact lumber. The lowest chemical-retention level is intended for the actual decking. Redwood and cedar are naturally resistant to decay and termites as are some tropical hardwoods (teak and mahogany). A good deal of annual maintenance is necessary to maintain the appearance of your wood decking, After initially applying a water-repellant treatment and then painting or staining the wood, you’ll need to pressure-wash the wood to remove mildew/mold buildup and then reapply the paint/stain annually.
 
Composites are gaining popularity despite its higher cost due to its low-maintenance. Also, composites won’t warp, rot or splinter and they have a slip-resistant surface. They are also environmentally friendly since they are made from recycled materials, plastic bags, sawdust and wood chips to name a few. Composites are made of a blend of plastic resins and wood fiber, giving it a smooth finish with a wood-grain appearance. Since the composite decking is weaker than wood, to avoid sagging or dropping it will need to be held up by treated wood joist and beams. There are more than 50 brands of composites to choose from and they are available in a variety of colors and textures. Composite decks can weather by 10 percent within the first three months since they do contain wood material. The colors tend to fade to a natural gray over time similar to wood decks. So, if you want to get an idea of appearance of composite deck, then look at one that has been exposed to the sun for at least a year. For maintenance, you’ll want to wash the deck 2-3 times per year to prevent mildew buildup.
 
Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is low maintenance, just an annual cleaning is recommended. It is a strong material and is unaffected by severe weather, sunlight or heat. A downside is that fiberglass-reinforced plastic can be difficult to cut, so it will need to be pre-ordered to size.
 
Plastic is low maintenance, has a skid-resistant surface, is simple to install and can be a good choice if you are on a tight budget. It is similar to composite, but there is no attempt to make it look like real wood. There are also many brands of plastic decking to choose from. PVC vinyl decking usually has a lifetime guarantee and just needs to be washed occasionally. The drawback to PVC vinyl decking is that it does expand/contract with freeze/thaw cycles.
 
As with any construction project, check with your local building codes prior to any ordering materials. You’ll want to make sure that they don’t have any restrictions.

 

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