Hiring a Contractor? Do This First

Hiring a Contractor? Do This First

RECBL - Real Estate News

Nothing is more exciting than embarking on a home renovation project! Hire the wrong contractor, however, and your dream remodel can quickly turn into a nightmare.

That's why it's essential to do your due diligence when hiring a contractor, such as getting multiple estimates before signing a contract.

According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), when you get multiple bids, you can learn a great deal about the proposed project, such as what type of work is needed, the quality of the building materials, how long the job may take and the total cost.

The BBB offers these other tips to help find the best, most ethical contractor to work with and ensure a successful home renovation:

- First, check bbb.org - BBB's business profiles can tell you how long the contractor has been in business, as well as provide contact information, verified customer reviews, complaint details and how the business responded.

- Be wary of 'today-only' sales pitches - This is a sales tactic designed to get you to sign a contract or put down a deposit, without giving you the opportunity to do your research. Watch out for these and other 'bargains' that rush you into a deal.

- Get references from recent customers - Speak with other property owners who had work done recently, and ask what they did or did not like about a particular contractor. A reputable contractor will be happy to provide client references.

- Get everything in writing - Make sure all verbal promises end up in the written contract as well as a detailed description of the work, the cost of materials and start and completion dates. Contracts also should include specifics about the deposit and payment schedule and guarantees for the quality of work and materials.

- The contract should specify required permits - Renovation work often requires permits from the town or municipality. If you're contractor suggests going without permits, it might be a sign they have a poor reputation at city hall.

- Compare apples to apples - Choosing a prospective contractor is simpler if you ask for quotes based on the number of hours needed and the same quality of materials.

- Avoid putting down a large deposit - A typical payment schedule should follow the "rule of thirds." The first payment is given when signing the contract and helps pay for materials, the second payment when work begins, and the final payment when the job is finished and you are satisfied with the quality of work. Ask the builder to walk you through the work to explain what has been done.

By sticking to the above steps, you'll head into your renovation with peace of mind, knowing you've done your homework and taken the necessary steps to select the best possible contractor.


Jason Grace is AZ Social Realty's content editor. Email him your real estate news ideas at jason@cashbuyerslists.com.




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Upgrades That Boost Your Home's Value and Enjoyment

Upgrades That Boost Your Home's Value and Enjoyment

RECBL - Real Estate News

(Family Features)-A home is often a family’s single largest asset, so making investments with upgrades and home improvements is almost always a good idea; however, knowing when and where to make those improvements isn’t necessarily a simple decision.

Budget and space most often dictate the direction, but keeping function and your lifestyle needs in mind can help create a space that makes for an all-around smart investment.

​Add technology in unexpected places. With the surge in smart devices, it’s becoming increasingly common to add technology throughout the house, and the bathroom is no exception. From heated floors to mirrors with embedded TV screens, the options are plentiful. A bathroom outfitted with the latest technology can bring function and a whole new level of style and elegance to your home.

Go green for the Earth and savings. Appliances and climate control systems are often the first features homeowners consider when it comes to environmentally-friendly upgrades, but windows and window treatments are another way to make a big impact. In a similar vein, skylights are a surprisingly affordable upgrade for the functionality and aesthetic benefits they provide, especially in the bathroom and kitchen where ventilation is as important as ample lighting.

You can give your lighting and home value a boost with an ENERGY STAR(R)-qualified option, such as Velux solar-powered fresh-air skylights, which open for air flow, reducing dependence on electrical lights and fans, with the touch of a programmable remote control.

For expanded control over the amount of light and warmth that enters or leaves your rooms, solar-powered skylight blinds are available in more than 100 designer colors and patterns. Like the skylights, Velux solar-powered blinds are operated with the remote. The solar products and installation costs are also eligible for a 30-percent federal tax credit.

Finish the basement. Adding finished square footage to your home is nearly always a way to increase its value. For many homes, the basement is the most practical place to gain that space. Instead of using it as a collection ground for dust bunnies and storage, converting it into usable space can bring meaningful value, not only in dollars and cents, but in overall enjoyment of your home.

When making plans for finishing a basement, keep function first. Adding features like bathrooms can be costly, but having ready access to those facilities may pay off if you plan to spend lots of time downstairs. Also keep climate in mind; in parts of the country basements tend to be damp, so use materials that can withstand the conditions.

Create outdoor living space for all year long. If a basement renovation isn’t practical, you may be able to create additional living space in an area you already have: outdoors. Even small patio spaces can become cozy gathering spots with the right furnishings and decor. For a larger yard, create destinations that make it comfy to congregate, such as a fire pit or grouping of chairs with overstuffed cushions.

This is another area where climate will play an important role in your plans: adding an enclosure to a patio can make it usable during all but the coldest months, while a pergola can lend necessary relief to an area that bakes in the sun.

Add curb appeal. While you’re considering the upgrade options outdoors, don’t forget to think about your home’s exterior appearance. Reworking landscaping to highlight architectural features and freshening up paint can make a big impact. Adding decorative elements like shutters or new lighting or doors can also update a tired exterior.

Source: Velux

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7 Ways Home Sellers Turn Off Homebuyers

7 Ways Home Sellers Turn off Homebuyers

Cash Buyers Lists 7 Ways Home Sellers Turn off Homebuyers
#realestate #cashbuyerslists #home #sellers #homebuyers #staging#renovation #remodel
When it’s time to sell your home, you can invest a ton of time, energy and money into getting the place ready for sale. You might de-clutter stage and even remodel the house to make it as appealing to buyers as possible.

Sometimes, though, no amount of preparation can overcome something in the home which offends some buyers and gives them negative impressions of you and your house.

These potentially troublesome items create a dilemma for real estate agents...
Read More> http://bit.ly/RECBL-March2

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OUTDOOR REMODELING PROJECTS BRING HAPPINESS AND FINANCIAL RETURNS

Cash Buyers Lists News​

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Homeowners looking to tackle a remodeling project should head outside, according to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS(R) (NAR) and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

The 2016 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features shows that not only can outdoor remodeling projects add value to a home on resale, but they can also bring advantages to homeowners planning to stay in their homes in the form of increased happiness.

"Realtors(R) understand the importance of curb appeal because when it is time to sell, a home's exterior is its first impression to potential buyers," says NAR President Tom Salomone. "Realtors(R) also know that these projects-from flowerbeds to fire pits-can bring homeowners who have no plans to sell even more enjoyment and satisfaction in their home." 

According to the report, which analyzes the reasons why homeowners complete outdoor remodeling projects and the value-both financially and emotionally-the finished projects bring to the homeowner, taking care of your home's lawn will bring the most bang for the buck. Looking at the outdoor projects that produce the largest financial windfalls at resale, Realtors(R) ranked seeding lawn the highest, recovering 417 percent of the project cost at resale. Seeding lawn is followed by implementing a standard lawn care program (303 percent of cost recovered) and updating landscaping with sod lawn (143 percent recovered) as the most cost-effective projects.

When it comes to the enjoyment homeowner's gain from these projects, a new pool comes in at No. 1, receiving a perfect Joy Score of 10; Joy Scores range between 1 and 10 and higher figures indicate greater joy from the project. Ninety-five percent of homeowners who completed a pool project said they have a greater desire to be at home, 90 percent felt a major sense of accomplishment, and 80 percent have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home. However, Realtors(R) estimate that homeowners will only recoup 50 percent of the cost on resale, making it one of the least profitable projects in the report.

The next most appealing project is an overall landscape upgrade-with a Joy Score of 9.8- followed by a new wood deck, with a Joy Score of 9.7. When asked why homeowners took on these projects, the most common response was to add features to their home and improve livability.

"Homeowners looking to take on large, expensive outdoor projects should do so for themselves, for the enjoyment they and their family will gain from the finished results, and not only to improve the value of their home for when they sell. Smaller projects will bring potential sellers the most value back upon resale-and have the benefit of costing less up front," says Salomone.

"This report validates that outdoor remodeling and landscaping improvements are a necessity when it comes to improving your home's resale value," says Missy Henriksen, vice president, public affairs, NALP. "Homeowners working with a landscape professional to embark on renovations-whether that means enhancing their turf and growing a lush lawn, rehauling their entire landscape, or incorporating new features, like patios and exterior fireplaces-can rest assured that they are making a smart, worthwhile investment. Further, that investment is coupled with the immediate happiness received by beautiful landscaping and the long-term enjoyment of outdoor living spaces, which are priceless."

The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the trade association for the landscape industry, which employs nearly 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation and tree care professionals who create and maintain healthy green spaces for the benefit of society and the environment. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping.

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OUTDOOR RENOVATIONS VALUABLE NOW AND LATER

Cash Buyers Lists News​

Remodeling your house? Add an outdoor redo to the project. According to a report from the National Association of REALTORS(R) (NAR) and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), an outdoor renovation can add significant value to a home come resale.

The most valuable updates, per the report, are:

 - Seeding the Lawn (Reaps 417 percent of its cost)
 - Implementing a Standard Lawn Care Program (303 percent)
 - Sodding (143 percent)

An outdoor renovation can also up the enjoyment factor-the "Joy Score," according to the report. The highest project on the Joy Score scale? A pool, though it is one of the least profitable at a 50 percent return-on-investment.

The most appealing projects following a pool, the report found, are an overall landscape upgrade and a new wood deck.

"Realtors(R) understand the importance of curb appeal because when it is time to sell, a homes exterior is its first impression to potential buyers," says 2016 NAR President Tom Salomone. "Realtors(R) also know that these projects-from flowerbeds to fire pits-can bring homeowners who have no plans to sell even more enjoyment and satisfaction in their home.

"Homeowners looking to take on large, expensive outdoor projects should do so for themselves, for the enjoyment they and their family will gain from the finished results, and not only to improve the value of their home for when they sell," Salomone continues. "Smaller projects will bring potential sellers the most value back upon resale-and have the benefit of costing less up front."

"Homeowners working with a landscape professional to embark on renovations-whether that means enhancing their turf and growing a lush lawn, rehauling their entire landscape, or incorporating new features like patios and exterior fireplaces-can rest assured that they are making a smart, worthwhile investment," adds Missy Henriksen, vice president, Public Affairs, NALP. "Further, that investment is coupled with the immediate happiness received by beautiful landscaping and the long-term enjoyment of outdoor living spaces, which are priceless."

Source: National Association of REALTORS(R)

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