Home Remodeling Projects Return on Investment- By The Numbers

Wondering what  the latest and greatest in remodeling and renovation trends are? You've seen some of them on television and the web, magazines and friend's houses. It seems there isn't any place in a house where we haven’t seen a major improvement, expansion or update projects.

As Fairfield County Home inspectors, our feeling is that if a homeowner is planning to remain in their home for years to come, it’s ok to consider projects that genuinely suit their needs with less focus on pay-back. For example, a custom kitchen, a fabulous master suite, a new home office --  whatever it is they will truly use and enjoy. Our Realtor friends usually add the good advice that if the plan is to sell the home in the not-too-distant future, homeowners should focus on projects that will have the best chance of getting the highest return on their investment.

So, let's take a look at the three rooms that rise to the top of the ROI (return on investment) list for common home improvement projects:

The Kitchen 

Average ROI = 83% (minor remodel) vs. 78.1% (major remodel)* 

Even within a particular room, project costs can vary widely depending on the extent of the improvements.  A major kitchen remodel with high-end custom cabinetry, expensive surfaces, commercial quality appliances, and engaging a designer may cost upwards of $100,000, and on average, will get a return on investment of about 78%.  That's a great return, particularly if you're a gourmet cook and intend to stay and enjoy the improvements awhile.

However, a minor kitchen "facelift" averages a better ROI in percentage terms, and costs far less. If the layout works well and looks good, and you intend to sell the home, why go crazy with the budget? A more-modest project might entail cabinet refinishing or re-facing, replacement countertops and flooring, and swapping out dated appliances for new.  It would not include restaurant quality, top-of-the-line, expensive appliances such as a $10,000 refrigerator or range, but it would include quality, mid-range appliances that will improve the room's appearance and help it sell faster. Stick with stainless and white which are by far and away the most popular.

Bathrooms

Average ROI = 78.3%*

Bathroom remodels consistently rank at or near the top in terms of return on investment. Whether it's a powder room or a master bath, beautiful, updated surfaces, water-saving fixtures, and neutral tones are the minimal improvements that should be considered. Taking another step up, enlarging the room itself and adding luxurious "spa" elements such as a deep soaking tub, heated floors, and a double shower will obviously increase the budget and, likely, the appeal of a master bath.

All Rooms - Window Replacements

 Average ROI = 81.2% (wood), 79.3% (vinyl)*

 

Replacing windows may not rank high on the glamour scale, but buyers appreciate the improved appearance, energy efficiency / comfort and ease-of-use of new windows.  The ROI shows that they are willing to pay for them. Look for thermopane, low-E coated windows with a minimum 10 year, fully transferable warranty and a U-factor of 0.35 or less. Low-E coating reflects heat back into a room in winter and away in the summer, and U-factor is a measure of heat loss through a window.  Framing "pocket" insulation and installer choice are other critical factors.  Low-end economy windows installed by a low cost contractor will yield zero to negative savings over the window life, and may actually detract from the appearance of the home. As we constantly advise our buyers, obtain and check references!

 

A couple of final thoughts to keep in mind:

Always aim for universal appeal. You don't have to be boring, but avoid highly unusual designs and patterns, strong colors, and unique custom components that can be polarizing to potential buyers. Remodeled spaces should look great to the widest possible audience, and if you intend to stay awhile, they will continue to look fresh in the future, as opposed to a dated or trendy.  Remember, you’re not looking for bold – you’re looking for sold.

It bears repeating: be careful not to over-improve a starter home, or any home for that matter. Walk around the block and get a feel for actual improvements in the area – not what you wish it was. Homeowners should be careful to keep upgrades and improvements within their original, pre-planned budget and the range of similar homes in their neighborhood. We've all heard the adage, "Don't go to the supermarket hungry."  It's the same for home improvement - stick to your original budget and don't allow yourself to be swayed by pushy salespeople.  The most expensive home in the area, however attractive, is rarely the easiest to sell.

For a FULL list of improvements and ROI's specifically for Fairfield County Connecticut that was just updated in 2014, click here

Article courtesy of David R. Leopold, ACI

 David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

Book an inspection here

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Have You Checked Around Your House for Mold?

Mold is a relatively common household occurrence that can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces. Although most molds are harmless, some can cause serious respiratory problems, especially in sensitive individuals, so it's important to be aware of potential mold growth in your home. As with most things, a little knowledge goes a long way - read below for information that will help you identify a mold problem.

Mold Basics:
Mold enters your home as tiny spores, which need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Mold can grow on almost any surface, including wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation, given the right conditions.

Identifying the Problem:
Mold most often appears as small black or white specks in places like your damp bathroom or basement walls. To the unaided eye, mold has a variety of appearances: fuzzy, velvety, leathery, powdery, and glassy. Mold colonies may appear to be black stains or patches of white, yellow, green, brown, black, gray, or even pink. Some mold may be hidden behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles, but is often visible to the naked eye.

Where to Look:
Mold grows best when there is an abundance of moisture, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as behind dressers, headboards, and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Mold often grows in rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.

Trust your nose:
The compounds produced by molds have strong smells, which are volatile and quickly released into the air. Because these compounds often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can cause a "moldy" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A musty odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.

Trust, but Verify

Especially in winter, your nose can be irritated by a variety of causes such as allergies and dry air. It is suggested that you test your house for elevated mold spores in the air, and also for elevated levels of allergens. This can be especially useful if you’ve recently moved into a home with wall-to-wall carpeting. If you suspect a mold problem, you should address the issue as quickly as possible, as mold can spread quickly. A professional can help you spot water intrusion that you may not be able to see with infra-red detection. As long as the moisture problem is corrected, you can successfully clean up a small amount of mold yourself using a simple solution warm water and soap, however larger infestations should be tested and removed by a professional mitigation expert.

Article courtesy of David R. Leopold, ACI

 David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

Book an inspection here

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

How to Prevent Water Damage Inside of Your Home

Prevention through investigation is the first defense against water damage. Here are some basics on preventing water damage and its effects:

Washing machine hoses should be regularly checked for leaks. Both the hoses and connections, and the valves should be examined. Even a small drip when the machine is filling can cause major water damage and conducive conditions for insect infestations over time, so any leaks should be repaired immediately. If the laundry room is located on the main floor or above, damage to the floor and ceiling below can be expected too.

Those metal hoses everybody is always touting as the best? Actually in our experience, among the least reliable. The washing machine moves during the spin cycle – a lot. So the hoses move too, and the hose is made of rubber. Metal rubbing on rubber doesn’t mix. Find a high quality rayon hose with brass couplings. Wrap the threaded connections with Teflon plumbers tape; insert a quality washer and tighten securely.

Always turn the water valves off between wash loads. What isn’t on, can’t leak. It’s that simple. I know a lot of people see that as hard to remember and if the valves are difficult, just a pain in the neck. So is a flood. If your valves are in poor shape, call a plumber and get them replaced with a single lever mixing valve. Easy to use and if installed right in sight, they’re easy to remember too. Ok, you don’t want to do all that? Fine. Just look at the valve and hose connection when you start a load and make sure you don’t see even a drop of water leaking.

Water heaters are also prone to leaks, especially after too many years of use past a rated service life. Did you know that some water heaters have as short a service life as six years? It’s true and they are one of the most commonly installed water heaters we see! We joke around that plumbers are very social fellows and they like to see you often, so they sell you a six year rated tank so they can come over more often. Seriously, they’re the cheapest tank, so of course lots of them are installed, and lots of them leak! When you replace a tank make sure you insist on a 10 or 15 year rated tank. Well worth the minimal extra investment.

When the tank is replaced, the very old, gate style water shut-off valve is often left in place. Again, well worth the small extra investment to request that the plumber install a brand new ball-style shut-off valve with the tank to prevent leaks.

Next up is the dishwasher drain line usually located under the kitchen sink. It’s connected with a radiator clamp that can come loose because it too moves around when water is pumped through it. The easiest way to check for leaks is to get a little organized. Pull everything out of the kitchen sink cabinet. You’ll be surprised at what you may find. Who knew you had a dozen sponges under there? Is the bottom of the cabinet wet? If so, you may have a leak – look further with the dishwasher on; then with the kitchen faucet, and then with the sink spryer. Be patient – you’ll find it.

Self-piercing saddle valves are a very common source of water leaks. Those are those funny looking little valves that appliance installers use to hook up the ice maker supply line; or the water supply for your whole house humidifier. They’re junk. Get a plumber and have them do the job right with a real shut-off valve that can be counted on for years of trouble-free service.

It’s too late now, but a full gutter in winter is an ice dam just waiting to happen. Make sure you clean your gutters in the early winter after all of the leaves have fallen. Downspouts should be extended to drain at least four or more feet away from the home's foundation to prevent basement water intrusion.

Your dad taught you not to go looking for trouble because you’d find it. He was right, but he didn’t mean in your own house. Now that you know where to go, have a look and see if trouble is lurking.

Article courtesy of David R. Leopold, ACI

 David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

Book an inspection here

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Your Furnace: Simple Safety Tips and Ways to Improve Efficiency

Furnaces in homes throughout Connecticut are cranking during this cold stretch of weather we’ve been experiencing. It is especially important to have furnaces inspected and maintained to ensure that they run efficiently and safely all winter.

 SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

By some accounts, home heating, especially with older equipment, can represent half of a typical home’s winter utilities bill. Efficient operation can mean lower energy bills and a more comfortable home. For example, programmable thermostats can be used to automatically turn heat up or down at specified times, so that the temperature is lowered overnight or while no one is at home. The newest types of thermostats can be operated via smartphone or tablet using apps specific to these functions.

Thermostats should be calibrated occasionally to avoid “off-cycle” heat loss; a properly-calibrated thermostat will result in more even heating between the on/off cycles, which is both more efficient and comfortable.

SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE

Safety is also an important factor in furnace operation. Gas furnaces can be a source of dangerous carbon monoxide if there are leaks or cracks that go unnoticed or unrepaired. The furnace flame should be steady and burn blue; if not, this should be addressed immediately. A qualified contractor or inspector can detect these types of problems and recommend needed action.

Simple furnace maintenance includes checking and replacing disposable air filters and cleaning permanent-type filters, as well as keeping dust, hair, and lint away from the burner compartment and air intake. No matter what type it is, a well-maintained furnace will not only last longer, but can save energy, money, and help a home’s overall air quality and comfort.

CONSIDERING A NEW FURNACE?

If a new furnace is necessary, it is a good opportunity to evaluate the various types of furnaces now available and how well they might meet a home’s specific situation. Furnaces are defined as conventional efficiency, mid efficiency, and high efficiency. There are advantages and drawbacks to each type, and some are better suited to older homes, for example, and cost may be a factor in considering various types of systems. However, the ability of most new furnaces to reduce off-cycle heat loss, eliminate the need for an always-on pilot light, etc. make replacing a furnace worth considering if a current system is in bad repair functioning poorly.

Article courtesy of David R. Leopold, ACI

 David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

Book an inspection here

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Advice from a Home Inspector on Buying Foreclosures

We asked our friends at Pillar to Post "What advice do you give clients when purchasing a short sale or foreclosure?"They gave us a lot of information, so much so, that we made this a two-part article. (See part 1 here)

Owner Dave Leopold says, " Thinking of just bringing that nice contractor guy your friend met at a party? Not so fast. That “contractor-looking-for-work” doesn’t have your best interests at heart. He has something else to gain if you buy the house: a job.

It’s also unlikely that Uncle Vinny carries a moisture meter or an infrared camera. Freshly painted walls can be very deceiving. We can find the saturated sheetrock walls in a basement that a desperate short-seller painted over. Beyond simple property damage and unexpected expense to waterproof a leaky basement, there may be threats to your health like mold waiting for you after closing. We have the equipment to detect the problem and test the indoor air quality to make sure you’re safe.

 
You and your friends may notice stains on the carpet and walls. Trouble is, you haven’t been trained to recognize what the remains of a drug factory run by a couple of stoned meth-heads looks like. You probably won’t learn what a danger those toxins present to you and your children until after you own the problem if you rush the process.

Popular television shows depict the quick riches to be made “flipping houses.” Do you ever see a plot centered on how the buyer wanted to do “a great job” on the house before it’s flipped? No. They want to make “a great profit.” We did one inspection where a part-time builder bought a house without an inspection only to find it was riddled with termite damage. What did he do? Tons of appealing cosmetic repairs. Trouble is, he never did any of the structural repairs that were needed, and never even bothered to have the house exterminated!

Consider the sequence of events that takes place before a property goes into foreclosure or short sale. A buyer pays too much for a house. Like most people, they then want to make some improvements. Many are young and have relatively little home improvement experience or skills. Some are not particularly savvy when it comes to looking at a home as an investment. After over-paying for the property, they compound their mistake by over-paying for improvements. As the reality of their financial situation begins to sink in, they start taking shortcuts. Don’t end up being that guy. And if you’re going to buy that guy’s house, make sure you know what you’re buying.

courtesy of:

David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

Book an inspection here

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY