renovation

Mar 25 2014

Planning a Remodel and Wonder What the Eventual Value to Your Western MA Home Will Be? 2014 Cost vs. Value Remodeling Report for Springfield, MA Area

Whether you plan to sell your home in the near future or have no plans, it is wise to know how the investment of a home improvement or renovation may impact your Western MA home value.

Not all home improvements are created equal and you should enter your renovation investment with some understanding of the resulting home value.

You might be surprised to learn that replacing your entry door with a steel door has a huge rate of return. According to the Cost. vs. Value Report a steel door replacement could give you a 104% return!

A minor kitchen remodel could gain you 90% and a wood deck upgrade or addition could bring back over 77% of the investment made.

To read more and discover what your home improvement plans might bring in resale improvement take a look at the Cost vs. Value Remodeling Report for Springfield, MA.

2014 Cost vs. Value Remodeling Report, Springfield, MA area from Lesley Lambert

If you are considering selling your Western MA home, I would love to meet with you.
Lesley Lambert, Western MA REALTOR with Park Square Realty 413-575-3611

Mar 07 2014

Find Out What a Home Improvement Project Will Mean to Your Western MA Home’s Value

If you are considering making a home improvement to your Western MA home, you may wonder what that improvement will do to the bottom line of your home’s value.

Some renovations make a bigger impact than others and it is smart to know an estimate of the value before making the investment. Even if you aren’t thinking of selling your Western MA home now, it makes sense to keep up to date on market values.

I have access to a tool that can calculate a reliable figure for most common home improvements.

“Hanley Wood, a provider of housing development market data, is the source of the home improvement data that supports (the) “Refine Value Based on Home Improvement”. Hanley Wood is known for collecting and aggregating residential and commercial construction data, and for publishing magazines such as Remodeling.

The home improvement data are produced at a regional level, and refactored at the ZIP code level for the most accurate results. The data are updated annually.”

The tool supports improvements from window replacements, decks, kitchen renovations and even additions.

If you are considering a home improvement on your Western MA home in the near future, let me work up a report for you!

Lesley Lambert, Western MA REALTOR with Park Square Realty 413-575-3611

Jan 12 2013

Getting the best remodeling “Bang for the Buck” when renovating your Kitchen and Bath

kitchen and bath remodeling in Western MA — Photo credit: sideshowmom from morguefile.com

Everyone knows that kitchens and baths are two of the places that home buyers look for quality finishes and having these rooms in tip top shape can help improve your home’s value. With this in mind I asked by Frank Nataloni of Kitchens and Baths by Curio to give some tips on how you can improve these spaces without breaking the bank. Here are his thoughts:

More than ever, homeowners are looking at focused budgets for their kitchen or bath renovations. The best way to ensure that you get the most out of your budget is to plan first. How you select and install your critical items matter just as much, if not more, than the extra features or brand names you install. A good plan can focus your spending, make your project look great, and keep you from learning “the hard way” that the bitterness of low quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten.

Step # 1
Consult a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) or Certified Bath Designer (CBD) to create a personalized plan.
The process of analysis should be your first step. Start thinking about the who, what, where, when, why and how of your project, so that you have an idea of what you want. Knowing what you want out of your project will help to create the framework for an individualized plan. Your CKD should be able to design a new and better look while suggesting where to invest and where to save. Once you have created a working plan, use it to make cost effective changes before you start building.
OK , so now you have a plan.

Step #2
A CKD will help you create a balanced budget for each product used.
A CKD can help you decide what a reasonable allowance is for cabinets, counter tops, back-splashes, appliances, lighting and flooring. As you work through your budget keep in mind that every dollar you save in one area is a dollar that can be used somewhere it will have even more impact.

Step #3
A Specification sheet should be part of your contract.
Specification sheets list detailed information about all aspects of your project such as the makers, quantities, styles and colors of cabinets and appliances. Don’t forget to write who’s responsibility it is to supply and perform the labor. The clearer it is on the specification sheet the fewer gray areas and unexpected expenses you will have later.

Step #4
Installation and production.
In today’s market, quality is expected. If you are going to pay for it, the installation should be correct. During construction, it is important to maintain communication with all involved about what to expect. In almost any job, from time to time “things” will come up. It is how these “things” are dealt with that counts. Finding someone who you can work with when things aren’t going as planned is very important. Anyone can talk a good game when things are going right, it is when the cart is upside down that you really need someone you can trust and feel comfortable with to discuss the solutions while keeping your best interest in mind.

There is nobody who knows more about getting the most “bang for your buck” than a CKD or CBD. If you would like information on any aspect of this, contact Frank Nataloni CKD/ CBD at 413-783-0913. Mention this article and receive a free gift during your showroom visit.

Kitchens and Baths by Curio
1045 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119

Frank’s insights are a great place to get started on your home improvement plans. If you are making improvements in preparation of selling your home, give me a call to discuss what improvements will help you to get the most in the sale of your home. Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty 413-575-3611