When the time has come that you want to start your home remodeling project, you will begin with some planning. Initially, you may think the most challenging part of the planning would be the money and financial part, but sometimes selecting the right remodeling company could be the hardest. To prepare yourself well for that, here are some things to discuss so that you can see if they are the right company for you.

Readiness

Experts recommend that you furnish your contractor with an outline of what you are looking to do for the project ahead of meeting. Include your expectations of regular meetings and check-ins too. If your early communications are off to a good start then it can be a good sign of the project’s future.

Time Frame

Inevitably there will be some hiccups, changes and delays during any larger project. However, it is still important to ask the team how this will affect the time frame of the project. Make sure to discuss logistics as well, such as what hours the crew will work during the day, which days of the week, what facilities they will use, etc. 

Staffing

Smaller companies are totally fine to work with, but be sure that means you can still reach your contractor with questions when you have them. Also, ask if the company uses any subcontractors. If so, check that they have the necessary qualifications for the job as well.

Management Software

With bigger projects and busier schedules meetings and calls can be tough to have. Some companies use a software system that can track progress and keep all involved updated. There can be a slight learning curve but ultimately it makes things easier in the end. Ask to see if the company has a version of this. 

Referrals and Portfolio

A good remodeling company should also have a portfolio of work and references available for you to review. Make sure they have this ready for you to see and ideally they should be jobs that are located in your area. This way they will be most experienced with types of homes, code, and any potential permit protocol as well.

Some buyers may wonder if now is the time to purchase property. There are some definite advantages to buying now than perhaps the early part of last year. Here is a closer look at why now is a great time to buy real estate.

Better Deals Today

It wasn’t long ago that inventory was slim and we saw lines of buyers coming in droves to visit a home when it first came on the market. Chances were that many of those buyers were all vying to buy the said home and were willing to do whatever it took to get it. Waiving contingencies, paying over asking and more were done to try to win the multiple offer wars. However, nowadays the bidding frenzy has cooled so there are better deals to be had. And in some ways, despite rates being higher, you may be paying less in the end as you can probably negotiate a better sale price than before.

Don’t Bank on Rates

So as discussed, today’s market may allow for a better purchase price even though rates are higher now than early last year. Nobody has a crystal ball to tell us what rates are going to do, but some reports speculate that they will go down next year. You can bet that as soon as they do we will see more buyers stepping up to the plate which could mean you will be paying more for the purchase price. One could argue that it may make more sense to negotiate a good purchase price now and do your refinancing later.

The Market Is Cyclical

The real estate market has its regular pattern and once demand goes up with the regular real estate cycle, deals will be more difficult to find. If that is fueled by lower interest rates, negotiating prices and terms will be even more difficult. What we do know is that there is a buyer window right now, and we don’t know when it will end.

The process of buying a home does come with some detailed paperwork and qualification less exciting steps but the actual home searching can be quite fun. So how do you know when you step foot into a house and know it is the one? You may feel it, but here are some factors to consider before you submit that offer.

Must-Have Checklist

When you are doing your home searching, make sure you create a list of must-haves before you set out. Don’t confuse this from your want list. This will help you narrow down the homes that are worth taking a better look at. From there you may even want to rank the finalists for which you like best.

Location

A home’s location is one of the most important things to consider as it is one thing you certainly cannot change. Consider if you want more of a quieter suburban setting or an urban in-town location where you may be able to walk to places. Whichever suits your lifestyle is most important.

Function

It is important to know if the home fits your needs. Does it have enough bedrooms? Can you entertain like you may want to in the living room and kitchen? Might the home need renovating to be a better fit? Ponder these questions as you evaluate. 

Comfort

Here is where you can rely more on a feeling. When you enter the home, does it make you feel “at home?” Or can you envision yourself very easily living there? If you already feel comfortable in it, that is a great sign that it can be a good fit.

Flexibility

Consider what you can do with the home to make it more suitable for you. Perhaps it is redecorating, or adding a room, deck or patio. Do some calculations to see if any of those projects would be worth it or if they would put you beyond your budget to make the home just right. If not, it may just be the perfect home for you!

These days homeowners are still paying a lot of money on kitchen renovations but they are increasingly selecting sustainable options that save over time. Preferences on cabinet styles, lighting and features are always changing. See what the trends are these days per recent studies by Houzz below.

Sustainability

A lot of homeowners are choosing sustainable options such as LED light bulbs, energy efficient appliances and water efficient fixtures. While these can sometimes require a little more money up front, they are cost effective in the long run which is also ultimately more environmentally friendly.

Cabinet Styles

For many years now we have seen shaker style cabinets being among the top picks for remodels. However, there has recently been a slight increase in flat panel styles instead. Custom cabinetry has still been going strong, being among the favorites. The vast majority of people select some kind of handle for the doors with bar pulls still being among the top choice.

Wooden Cabinets

While white cabinets aren’t going anywhere soon, wood tones are a close runner up and are gaining popularity year over year. Additionally, picking a different color island cabinet from the surrounding is also among one of the more trendy choices.

Professional Hiring

Demand for cabinet makers is on the rise with the vast majority of homeowners doing their remodel projects with a trade professional. Most people will hire a general contractor for the job with those hiring a decorator or architect being up this year from recent years.

Recessed Lighting Over Under Cabinet

Under cabinet lighting still is very popular for task lighting solutions, but recessed lighting has gained even more in popularity bringing it to the number one choice for kitchen lighting. 

High Tech Features

More than half of homeowners chose an upgraded faucet such as water efficient, touch-only or touch free and no-fingerprint coating. Top tech features for appliances on the rise include wi-fi capable ones and those controllable by smartphones. 

Budgets Increasing

With costs going up all around it is no surprise that the spend on kitchen remodeling projects is up across the board. From smaller remodels jobs to major gut renovations the median spend for nearly all was up year over year. 

Home remodels involve a lot of planning and mapping out of what you want and how you are going to go about executing it. These days most everyone has a regard for efficiency and sustainability but also for their budget. But what if you could respect both during the process? Here are some helpful tips from architects at Houzz that are both kind to the earth and your wallet. 

Size

One easy way to have a lighter footprint is to control the size. Think more of a less is more attitude and go for quality over quantity. Smaller spaces and smaller renovations are going to be cheaper and use less materials. If you are in need of using any materials that are not sustainable, a smaller space will likely require less of them too.

No Demo Reno

Before you start knocking down walls ask yourself if you can get the same or similar results with upgrading what you currently have. Full renovations with demolition can get very expensive and cost nearly as much as new builds. Consider working with as much as you already have to save.

Research

Make sure you do your research so you are fully aware of everything you have before you begin. This will help reduce waste and conserve costs. Specifically, have a regard for your home’s orientation. It can have a significant impact on your home’s utility costs where you can make sure you design with a regard for things like natural light and ventilation.

Reuse

This is ideal if you can reuse or repurpose some elements of your home, but understandably you may not be able to in some instances. For example, keeping appliances may save you initially, but in the long run if they are older and less efficient, it may make more sense to replace them with newer models and either give away or sell your old ones.

Buy Local

Choosing to go with locally sourced and made materials and products is both environmentally responsible and socially responsible. It reduces transportation emissions and helps create jobs and support local economies. Win – win!

Long Term Design and Flexibility

Thinking about “future you,” consider longer term ways your home may be used. For example, a room that you use as a nursery or kids playroom now may make sense later on as a home office or TV room. Or think about flexibility now with maybe a current home office that can double as a guest room. 

Home design is ever changing. With more people working from home and spending more time there, home is somewhere we value even more these days. Design trends as a result are aiming to work in more creativity with color, texture, patterns and optimism. Here are 10 of the home design trends that everyone is excited about for the coming year. 

Kitchen Trends

Natural Materials

Natural materials are always popular but lately they have become even more so. In kitchens, we are seeing more quartzite and other natural counters complemented by marble tile and wood cabinets. 

Wood Cabinets

Wood cabinetry is a popular choice these days. White oak is among one of the top picks with walnut also being popular. 

Creative Island Seating

Casual seating is always appealing at a kitchen island. For larger kitchens this can be a secondary place to dine and for smaller kitchens this can be a great solution for a combined table and prep area. Trends include things like an extension of the island for dining either with a different counter or even a lowered height for differentiation. 

Commercial Faucets

A popular look is to go with a commercial style faucet that can better handle your cooking tasks. Many brands are offering lines that are a mix of industrial and modern design.

Bathrooms

Thresholdless Shower

Perhaps one of the most sleek looks is to have your bathroom tile floor run right into the shower without any curb to separate the two. This extends your non slip surface and can make a smaller bath look larger!

Blue and White

Just like blue accents in current kitchen design trends, this has also been a popular choice in bathroom design. The idea is it can add some life to all white palettes without appearing too bold or drastic. 

Bathing

In the interest of creating a spa-like bath, homeowners are looking to include a relaxing experience. To accomplish this, features like multiple shower heads or handhelds that offer various spray settings or massage can do the trick. Handhelds can also make both shower and pet cleaning much easier!

Living Areas

Layers of Textures

A popular trend in design is to work with layered texture. That can be done with decor, wallpaper, materials and accessories. Popular styles include working with wood, stone, metal, concrete and fabrics to offer visual and tactile interest.

Outdoor Connection

Most everyone wants to have a connection with the outdoors. A popular desire is to have sliding glass doors to the outside or large windows that maximize views. For other, more attainable ideas for all the use of wallpaper prints that recall nature along with natural materials and colors can be a great solution. 

Built-ins

Built-in cabinets that are custom made provide homeowners with storage as a finished look. This is why they’re one of the top design features professionals recommend in a living room.