A Successful Remodel Requires a Roadmap

Are you are considering an upgrade to your home to either improve your life or your chances of selling your property? Do you know you need to do something to your home but are not sure where to invest your time and money? Remodeling can be the answer. With a bleak outlook for selling a home, many homeowners have turned to remodeling because they feel the smarter choice is to invest in improving their current home. A remodel makes the home more enjoyable, uplifts the spirits of those living in it, and prepares it for a future sale when the real estate market rebounds. According to the Realtor Magazine’s article about the “Field Guide” for remodeling, kitchens and bathrooms are two of the top three best remodels when it comes to return on investment at 68.7 percent and 64.1 percent respectively. McClure & Associates believes those numbers are closer to 88 percent for kitchens and 82 percent for bathrooms. Remodeling also provides great Feng Shui energy by eliminating the old and bringing in the new. When looking for both a great return on your investment and a way to energize prosperity and joy in your life, these two rooms are a great place to begin. Remodeling Roadmap You need a plan. You will be faced with a significant number of decisions when you begin a kitchen or bathroom project so a few strategy sessions with some remodeling professionals will be critical. This will help you ensure a successful remodel, stay within budget and love the final product -- your new kitchen or bathroom. After evaluating the information you’ve gathered, make a list of what is important to you and stick to it. If you intend on selling your property when the market rebounds, be sure to consult a real estate professional for selling trends such as paint versus wallpaper or carpeting versus hardwood flooring or tile, so you can include them in your remodel. Realtors are one of your best resources for what sells and what doesn’t. Prepare the room. Before you bring in even one new cabinet or light fixture, unclutter countertops, cabinets and drawers. Immediately discard anything you don’t need, want or will never use again. When you start with a clean slate and know exactly what you want to put back into those new cabinets and drawers, you will have a clear roadmap to a successful remodel. Important remodel trends to consider. Your personal preferences should be important when choosing cabinetry, countertops and flooring but it is important to consider trends to make sure your kitchen or bathroom remodel also looks contemporary – and can compete in a future marketplace with other homes. In the April, 2012 issue of Professional Remodeler, the National Kitchen and Bath Association listed some of the following trends as hot or growing: Countertops – granite and quartz are still the number 1 and 2 choices but other solid surfaces are competing, such as polished cement. Wood Finishes – light and white cabinetry is trending darker. Dark cherry is waning, and natural finishes are moving from light to medium. Style – transitional is catching up to traditional and often there is a blend of the contemporary with the traditional styles to create a modern classic look. Faucets – polished chrome is coming back with vengeance, especially in bathrooms – although polished nickel is also on the rise. Pull-out faucets have been established as the dominant faucet at 93 percent of remodel placements Medicine Cabinets – are back, more than 66 percent of remodelers are now incorporating them in bathrooms due to consumer demand for more storage. A remodel can be brutal on the nerves and very stressful unless you have a plan. Follow your roadmap, be flexible and allow the new flow of energy to enter your home and your life, along with the joy and prosperity that accompanies a remodel. © Pat Heydlauff, all rights reserved 2012