Final Reflective Posting

http://www.stickersnfun.com/shop/3d-home-renovation-stickers.html

I thoroughly enjoyed this writing assignment. Instead of being assigned a topic to expand on and research, we were given the opportunity to pick something we were emotionally tied to. In this case I chose DIY home renovations. I chose this researched topic because I have some knowledge and emotional attachment on this subject; I purchased my first home in 2009 and have enjoyed all the renovations I have been able to make.

                Using the online databases was a new way of research for me. I would have assumed it would have been easier to find articles that were relevant to my topic. Being able to find articles in the databases that I could expand on made it more difficult in choosing a topic for each assignment. In some cases, because of lack of information available I had to use more than one source for each posting.

                I would say this was an emotional and intellectual journey for me. I provided my thoughts on specific items and also provided plenty of researched information. I am very passionate about the work I do to my house. I take a lot of pride in the time and effort spent on making my house my home. After this project, I feel more informed and will focus my attention on things that will better the environment and make my home greener versus spending money in areas that only benefit cosmetically.

                I believe by posting these assignments online and in an interactive forum you are getting more of an audience than you would just by submitting to a professor. Another person’s ideas, feelings and opinion goes a long way when it comes to research assignments because not everyone takes the same angle or position on a topic. By having a larger audience, something you weren’t able to address or think of could be mentioned and gives your assignment so much more potential.

What upgrades should I be spending my money for, and will these improvements add more value to my home?

Above is a visual that touches on the topics I discuss in my posting. There is a lot of talk about going green. I discuss multiple ways of doing so. This image suggests making your home safer and greener by looking for low VOC paints as they increase indoor air quality (Green, 2011). When it comes to lighting Natural light using skylights and bigger windows are becoming more common ways of lighting your home (Green, 2011). When it comes to flooring you have options such as cork or bamboo as recycled and reused materials. Another way of making your home greener is by installing water efficient faucets, toilets and showers, in addition to tank less water heaters (Green, 2011).

I mentioned previously small and inexpensive renovations that you could do to improve the overall look and feel of your home, not to mention the value.  The majority of my previous suggestions were cosmetic; all centered around how each of the rooms in your house look, the fixtures in each of those rooms and even goes as far as the landscaping in your yard. This post will be more focused on how the upgrades in your home can make you feel. To put this into perspective, imagine you were going to buy a new house, before it was built. In this scenario you can chose from the variety of styles and floor plans the builder offers, as well as options and upgrades on details and finishes (Holmes, 2011). Depending on the builder, sometimes the options and choices of upgrades are very limited. Most times, those options are limited to finishes. Rarely do they offer green upgrades, or upgrades on what matters most: what's behind the walls (Holmes, 2011). A lot of builders and building companies have model homes, or even a design centre you can visit to help you decide on the finishes and upgrades you might want to add. What's on display is always finishes. It's never the insulation, the drywall or tile underlayment (Holmes, 2011). You'll never see air purifiers on display or added as an extra appliance. Energy Star appliances are standard now with new homes, and they are built to minimum code standards with regard to construction, building envelope, insulation (Holmes, 2011).

So where are the green upgrades? Some leading green builders offer features such as solar rooftop photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot-water pre-heating rough-ins for those who want that option. And lots are coming on board with low/no VOC paints, and maybe some bamboo flooring (Holmes, 2011). That’s about it when it comes to green update options. That's all driven by consumer demand. Builders will build what sells, so it's up to you to demand upgrades that will really increase the value of your home (Holmes, 2011). Everyone is concerned about indoor air quality, and the effects of mold and allergens on their families' health (Holmes, 2011). How many people are really aware of the upgrades they can have that will improve that indoor air quality? The type of insulation you choose, the type of cabinets and flooring, all contribute to the indoor air quality (Holmes, 2011). Try adding an air-purifying system or premium HEPA filtration to your HVAC.

Some people will advise you to choose your upgrades based on future resale of your home (Holmes, 2011). That's fine, but who's to say a brushed nickel faucet will still be fashionable when your home goes on the market? Will cherry cabinets be in, or will painted wood? Is your money better spent on a granite countertop or on a properly insulated basement and attic (Holmes, 2011)? A finished basement is a popular one. But for me, this is one of the real traps of a 'builder upgrade.’ It’s guaranteed that if you opt for this upgrade, you will have a basement finished to minimum code (Holmes, 2011). That's all that's required. In addition this will be a complete waste of your money, in either a short time or a slightly longer time, when you need to tear everything out because it's tainted with mold (Holmes, 2011).

Conventional wisdom says that spending your upgrade money on kitchen and bathrooms will repay you (Holmes, 2011). However in Holmes’s mind every penny you invest in an upgrade that improves your home's efficiency will repay you, too. In his opinion, when your budget is limited, spend your upgrade money on the places you can't get to later: behind the walls (Holmes, 2011). You can always upgrade a standard finish to something pricier later, if you want to. It is not so easy to change your insulation or the underlayment beneath your tiles or replace your standard drywall with mold-resistant (Holmes, 2011). The consumer decisions always seem to be: Do you want the premium kitchen cabinets or the standard? Do you want a granite countertop or laminate? What kind of tile do you want in the bathroom? People spend hours discussing choices of light fixtures, door handles, cabinet hardware, plumbing fixtures, paint color, crown molding and style of baseboards (Holmes, 2011). Try asking about the level of insulation code or above code. Or even kind of insulation -- blown-in cellulose, batt, or spray foam (Holmes, 2011). How good are the windows? Does the house have mold-resistant drywall or standard? Can you choose sustainably sourced hardwood for your flooring? Ask the questions. Make the right choices on really matters when it comes to your upgrades (Holmes, 2011).

This article to me was very refreshing to read. It really did address the important issues, not only what my home look like and how much money is this going to make me. Obviously I am not interested in buying a new home anytime soon; however this research has made me more informed in what I would look for going forward. Not only will my home be more comfortable if I opted for some of the upgrades mentioned above, I would also feel better about my effect on my environment.

Currently in my home, I have baseboards, ancient baseboards and very inefficient baseboards at that. I chose not to run them as they make my electric bill sky rocket. I use two space heaters, but due to the lack of proper insulation under the house and old windows and doors, much of my heat is lost in the cracks and crevices. After seeing this in black and white, I will put off some of my future smaller renovations and expedite getting new doors and windows on my house and proper insulation under my home.

Articles Cited:

Green DIY home trends for 2011.(2011) Retrieved November 23, 2011. from http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/02/green-home-diy-trends-for-2011.html.

Holmes M. (2011, October). Demand upgrades that increase value of home. Winnipeg Free Press (MB). Retrieved November  23rd, 2011 from the Newspaper Source Plus Database.

As long as the inside of my house looks good, who cares about the outside?

       

                 The picture to the left is what my house looked like when purchased almost two years ago. The previous owners liked tall bushes that attracted bees and other insects. I did not. So this past spring, I had the two tall holly bushes pulled up. I also had the azalea bushes split up because they were too close and choking each other out. Of course the seasons are different, but I hope that it shows I spent a lot of time and money in my yard.
                 Also when I was redoing my flower beds, I pulled up the black plastic, only as personal preference as it bothered me having to dig through it to plant additional plants. I have since added several new flowers, moved bulbs and bushes. In addition to adding mulch, which even if you had an empty flower bed, the right kind of mulch would set it off. I added flowers around the trees and mulch to give my yard more color, mostly lilies and daisies as they are my favorite.
                 Another way to look at this topic is this If I were going to sell my house, would someone buy it based on the outside…would someone even stop to look? A home’s curb appeal is very important when it comes to buying and selling a house. It is the first impression. I like to think the outside of my home looks welcoming and homey because that’s how it is to me.
                 My research presents a more defined explanation of curb appeal or the allure and attractiveness of a house from the street (L.J., 2011). If you're trying to sell a house in a difficult market, buying a fixer-upper that needs a little TLC or just want to improve the look of your home, a well-designed landscape will go a long way in not only increasing value in your home but improve your home’s curb appeal (Joe, L. 2011). There are two major areas that can be improved to add instant curb appeal: the front garden and one of the most neglected and overlooked areas, the space between the street and the pavement (Joe, L. 2011).
                 The space between the street and pavement is known as the “nature strip” (L.J., 2011). There can be lots of utilities running underground in these areas, so always contact the appropriate local agency to have it locate and mark any buried lines (L.J., 2011). The ``strip'' is a challenging location for plants. They get battered by traffic, pruned by car doors, exposed to exhaust and road chemicals, and passed by dogs and pedestrians. You need tough, durable plants that take punishment and recover quickly (L.J., 2011). Start with short shrubs that won't block the visibility of drivers or pedestrians, especially if your strip is near an intersection. Install dense, low-growing groundcover to choke out weeds (L.J., 2011). Add flowering bulbs, and use inexpensive annuals to fill in the open spaces until the permanent plants get established. Trim tree branches high enough so people won't need to duck under them. With a car parked at the curb, open a door to see how far back to set plants (L.J., 2011). Adding a small border of brick or stone will show visitors where to step as they get out of the car is also suggested (L.J., 2011).
                The front garden you will have more freedom with. Hardscape features create a finished, homey look. Think about upgrading the shape of the garden with a terraced area behind a low stonewall, or a simple island berm that breaks up an uninteresting expanse of lawn (L.J., 2011). Soften the sharp edges of buildings with curved beds (L.J., 2011). Define the property with a low fence that marks the transition between public footpaths and private yard in a friendly, welcoming way. Lock in on a strategically placed focal point, such as a small fountain, large specimen tree or even the front door painted a bright, welcoming color to draw attention (L.J., 2011).
                In addition, containers are an easy way to establish a flow and rhythm that bring continuity to the landscape (L.J., 2011). Mark the ends of a path or define corners and boundaries with large, identical containers. The repeated shape, size and color unify the design, even when filled with different plants. Hide the eyesores such as; air conditioners, electric and gas meters and cable connections with ornamental grasses, small shrubs or a three-sided lattice structure (L.J., 2011). But be sure utility-meter readers can get to devices easily. Adding curb appeal to your home doesn't have to be a budget-breaker. Start small and let the project evolve over time. You'll find new enthusiasm for your garden and increase your home's value tremendously (L.J., 2011).
               I found this article to be very informative when it comes to landscaping a yard. It has given me additional ideas on how to add color to my yard, for instance the annuals. Typically I am against annuals as to me it seems like a waste of money, however; they are inexpensive and in the off season will produce color until my other bulbs and plants bloom. It also gave me something to think about when it comes to breaking up yard and giving it a focal point.
               I am to have my outdoor heating unit installed soon, as the weather is starting to get cooler. I am now able to hide this eyesore as the article suggests. I never really was much into planting, weeding or cutting grass. There is something about having pride in something that is yours that has changed the way I feel about these things. I am glad I stumbled across this article. Hopefully I have provided someone enough information and given a few ideas on how to increase their home’s value and increase curb appeal.

 References:

L. J. (2011). Gardening make an entrance first impressions count, so improve your home's curb appeal. Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved October 19^th, 2011 from Newspaper Source Plus Database.

The small renovations...can I handle them and do they add value?

               I know that I have touched on this subject lightly before, but now I want to go in depth. The pictures above are of my kitchen; before and after. Before I mentioned natural light and that a lot of prospective home buyers look for natural light and the brightness and cleanliness of a space. The picture to the left is what my kitchen looked like upon moving in. The picture to the right was taken only a few weeks ago after the cabinets were primed and painted. Since this picture I have also updated the hardware. The hardware alone makes a huge improvement but can be a little pricey. I also added a pendant light about the sink. These are small, inexpensive and fairly simple renovations that can be done to improve the appeal and value of a home. Below is a summary of the information I found.

                Some examples of low cost projects are: replacing or getting a dishwasher, preferably an energy-star appliance (Esswein P. 2009). Even replacing an outdated sink, would give you a more modern look and most likely be more efficient. You could also add slide out shelves to cabinets or you could spruce up the black splash with peel and stick 3x5 tiles (Esswein P. 2009).

Another way this article recommends sprucing up the kitchen is by replacing the flooring (Esswein P. 2009).  The flooring in the kitchen is important because it must withstand heavy traffic. Luckily, when it comes to flooring; the options are endless (Esswein P. 2009). Your choices range from hardwood, bamboo, ceramic or linoleum. It really depends on how much you are willing to spend and if you have the ability and knowledge to do it yourself. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, then it’s suggested that you hire a professional (Esswein P. 2009).

                When it comes to selecting a contractor, there are a few things you should do to be well informed and prepared. First, you need to do your research (Taylor C. 2008). You can use word of mouth from people you know or do research on the web to look up any reviews or complaints.  If and when you decide on a contractor, make sure you have a contract well written and make sure it leaves nothing out (Taylor C. 2008).  Verify that the contractor has all necessary licenses and insurances. Last but not least, be prepared and expect the unexpected. Expect the cost to come in at 25% over-budget at a minimum. Other things such as weather or delays in shipment can take your renovation off schedule (Taylor C. 2008).

Another item you would need to consider and remember when thinking about renovation is how much really needs to be done versus what is acceptable. According to my research spending no more than 25% to 30% of your home’s value is a rule of thumb (Taylor C. 2008). You should keep with the style and scale of other homes in the neighborhood.  To come up with a reasonable renovation budget, you need to figure out how much equity you have in your home (Taylor C. 2008). If you have been living there long enough to build up significant equity, you’ll have more leeway. However, if you have only been in your home a couple years and taken 90% or 100% financing, you won’t have enough equity to work with and will more than likely have to scale back your renovations (Taylor C. 2008).

Since the cabinets in the kitchen have been painted and had new hardware installed, I love walking into my bright clean looking room. Before the renovation, there was always a shadow and a lot of low light in that room. If I had people over, we ate in the living room, now I have a room that I would be proud to have people gather in.  Since the cabinets were painted I also had a new hood put in above the stove and it looks amazing and it has added a great look to the room as well as additional lighting.

I never needed to hire a contractor. Fortunately, I always knew and trusted someone to be able to do the work. I originally had carpet in the den, noted in my previous blog. The carpet was pulled up and adhesive linoleum was put down. It cost me about $350 for the floor, but the room is everything I wanted it to be. The linoleum was fairly simple to put down and so far has been durable against moving furniture and my puppy’s feet. Something as simple as a ceiling fan, a new light or even hardware on cabinets, add value and make your home more appealing.

Articles Cited:

Esswein P. (2009, November). Home renovations for $1,000.00 or less. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. Retrieved October 12th, 2011 from the Academic Search Complete Database.

Taylor C. (2008, June). Profitable renovations. Black Enterprise. Retrieved October 12th, 2011 from the Academic Search Complete Database.

Should I make any renovations or should I leave it the way it was when I bought the house?



Before

 

Primed



Painted and new floor

           When it comes to purchasing a home, you should look at what it could be. A house is full possibilities specific to each individual. You must decide though if the changes you want to make will benefit you in some way and the effect the changes will have on the value of the home. Once you decide what if any renovations you want to make, the next step is to decide if you are going to do the renovations yourself or call a professional.

After I purchased my home, I watched DIY Network and HGTV like nobody’s business. Sometimes they hired a contractor or sometimes they did it themselves, hence the name. I never thought twice about doing the renovations in my house myself, or with the help of friends and family.

You would be extremely lucky to find a house that was exactly what you wanted. Sometimes a change of color or a bigger space is needed or desired. I completely changed a room that had been added on to the house. What the initial owner had the room listed as was of no use to me. The house already has three bedrooms and it’s just me there. I would have no use for four bedrooms. So I changed the addition or fourth bedroom into a den. The color scheme I chose is personal and went along with my idea for the room. I am fairly certain if I were to sell or rent the house the colors would for sure need to be something more neutral. Below you will find what is suggested be done and why.

Renovations can increase the comfort level and practicality of a home (GR, 2011). Also, it increases the chances of being sold if you were planning to move. My research warns against anything too outrageous or dramatic as in trends, because it could very soon be outdated (GR, 2011). The most important rooms in a home are the kitchen and bathroom. Open space in a home is important (GR, 2011). Below are a few other simple things you can do to make your home more practical or appealing to a buyer.

Further research indicates that natural light is important and well worth the investment (Add, 2011). A skylight is one way to do this. Turning two rooms into one is another way of making practical use of space; a kitchen and dining area for example (Add, 2011). If you chose to hire a contractor, you may want to consider moving out of the home as the renovations can be loud and messy or if your electricity or water needs to be turned off (Add, 2011). All of these things should be thought of prior to making any arrangements for renovations (Add, 2011).

After being a home owner for two years now, I feel the information provided above give a prospective buyer a good idea of what to look at and how to look at a home. I wish I had done a little more research to know exactly how much work and effort goes into making even a tiny renovation to a home; instead of thinking it would all be so easy. I will say I am very lucky to have people in my life who know a thing or two when it comes to renovating houses. I would never have had the money to invest otherwise.

                References

Add value with renovations (2011, July). Add value with renovations. Press, The. Retrieved October 5^th, 2011 from the Newspaper Source Plus Database.

This article lists steps and thoughts you should have before making arrangements for contractors to come in and start any renovations and lists easy and small renovations to improve the comfort and practicality of your home.

References

GR. (2011, May). Renovation 19. Newcastle Herald, The (includes the Central Coast Herald). Retrieved October 5^th, 2011 from the Newspaper Source Plus Database.

This resource gives examples of renovations to increase the appeal of your home if you are planning to sell.

Does the economy really have an impact on someone’s decision to renovate ?

          I recently had to renovate my full bathroom. This is a project I have wanted to do since purchasing this home, but never thought I would be able to afford. I assumed it would cost me thousands of dollars to do what I wanted. After taking the time to price up the new items and materials it turned into almost $1,700. If I had been able to choose when I was going to start the renovation it would have been a little further down the road, due to wet walls and a leaking toilet, I realized if I didn’t do it now, the clean up and repairs would have cost me far more.

            When I purchased my house, the full bathroom had tile on half of the wall. The tub, toilet and sink were all blue. The receptacles are made into the vanity light, everything original from the date the house was built. Now, because the walls were starting to droop, I had to pull the tile off, replace the insulation. The tub was removed along with the toilet and sink. I laid vinyl down in place of the tile on the floor. The walls still need to be mudded and painted. My fear of taking on this big of a renovation was that the floor was going to be rotten like you hear about from everyone who replaces flooring or their tub. Fortunately, I was able to charge the cost and am now making monthly payments. I love my bathroom even though it’s not yet finished, it at least looks like it belongs in this decade.

            I need to decide, however, in this grave economic downturn whether or not to do the repairs myself or to call a professional?  What should I do? According to my research, a panel of economists determined that the U.S. was in a recession from December 2007 to June 2009, making it the longest such economic slump since the Great Depression in the 1930s (Economic, 2011). Congress passed a massive economic stimulus bill and economists worried that unemployment would remain high despite signs of an economic recovery. Referring to the current economic slowdown as a recession is dangerous, because it could create panic among investors, business leaders and consumers. (Economic, 2011)  

            A number of factors have led experts to debate whether or not the U.S. is in a recession, including the falling dollar and the decrease in the purchasing power of the average American.(Economic, 2011). For decades, the U.S. has had the largest economy in the world. But even the strongest economies struggle sometimes. Throughout its 232-year history, the country has endured several recessions--periods of economic contraction and declines in business activity (Economic, 2011). Some of these economic downturns have been mild, lasting as little as three months. Others have been severe, lasting for years and resulting in widespread unemployment, bankruptcies and even social unrest. (Economic, 2011) I believe all of this plays a part in if someone decides to renovate at all, if they do-it-themselves or if they hire a professional.

In my case, I didn’t have a choice when it came to the renovation. If I could have waited, I would have. I am however, ecstatic that the renovation is finished for the most part. I fortunately had a family member who could help the renovation, which saved me money.  To do this renovation, a little bit of knowledge in each area was necessary. There was plumbing, electrical and construction all needed. I didn’t have this type of information. I would not recommend this renovation for the “average joe”.

Works Cited:

Economic Recession. (2011, February 17). Retrieved September 19, 2011, from Issues & Controversies database.

Do it yourself or Call a Professional?

Introduction:

I recently purchased my first house. Since then, I have discovered I enjoy personalizing it and turning it into my home. I run into some trouble along the way, spend a lot of money and have to ask for a lot of help, but in the end, to me it is all worth it. I will list and describe some of issues and things I have done to my house to give anyone out there wondering what really is a do-it-yourself job or is this something better left to the professionals?  

  

Paint definitely goes a long way and is an easy fix. But it could be something small, as small as cabinet pulls that makes a huge difference in a kitchen. On this journey to personalizing my home, I have learned things about myself, what I can do, can’t do and don’t want to do. In my opinion it is definitely a gratifying and a feeling of accomplishment doing renovations yourself. But when is it really too much for you?

 I want my blog to encourage people to recognize their own interests and abilities when it comes to home renovations. This is important to me because home remodeling is a current journey I am on myself.