Remodeling Your Bedroom; More Than Just Repainting The Walls But Well Worth It

When most people consider remodeling their bedroom, they usually have a few things in mind; adding new bedding, changing the drapes and painting the walls a new color. But if you really want to grab the attention of potential buyers or ramp up the value of your home, it will take more than just a few cosmetic changes. Revamping a bedroom can involve a few major and several minor enhancements that, when done, will change the entire face of the space. We’ve put together some key areas that add a great deal of charm while influencing the likes of future buyers.

Flooring

One of the most significant changes you can make when remodeling any space, especially a bedroom, is the flooring. Depending on your goals and end use, decide whether installing a hardwood floor will enhance the space or if adding carpet will soften the room and make it more comfortable. Consider the following essentials: price, time and usage. If the room you are looking to remodel is a kids’ playroom, then installing hardwood flooring may be a smart decision. If you’re changing the master bedroom after years of having a hard surface floor maybe the idea of a soft, wool carpet is appealing. No matter what your choice, changing your flooring will have the single most impact on the new look of your room.

Lighting

Often overlooked, lighting plays a vital role in the design and décor of a space, especially one as personal and private as a bedroom. Some homeowners opt to install skylights during major remodeling efforts. Others choose to change the lighting fixtures themselves. Even if you are working with a tight budget, a simple maneuver like changing a lampshade and placing it in a different spot in the space can make all the difference.  If your bedroom has an attached bathroom, remember to keep any new lighting fixtures consistent throughout, including the bathroom.

Fixtures and Hardware

Lightings fixtures aren’t the only fixtures in a room that can have a noticeable impact on the look of a redesigned area. Simple things like door handles or knobs, furniture pulls on dressers, desks and tables, or the things like ceiling fans can dramatically change the décor and ambiance of your room. By remaining consistent in terms of finish (brushed nickel, brass, wood) and size – everything will pull together very nicely, ultimately enhancing the entire home.

Space Enhancements

Who doesn’t want or need extra closet space? When are the windows in our bedrooms large enough to bring in the perfect amount of light and small enough to block out unwanted attention? Usually, there is almost always room for improvement in these areas.

Closets

As families grow and more time is spent in a home, the need to increase the physical storage volume of a space skyrockets. Closet additions are one of the most sought-after remodeling projects undertaken by homeowners. Ranging from some mild demolition and the rebuilding of a new, bigger and better closet – to adding a foot of depth or new doors, updating your closet will not only enhance the quality of your life but it will also make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

Windows

Chances are that unless you built your home in the first place, you had little or no choice in the matter as to how the existing windows were. If your heart was set on bay windows but the house you were buying only had the casement style, the windows were probably not what tipped the scales toward your buying another home. So when it comes to remodeling your bedroom, here’s your opportunity. While it can be an expensive undertaking, new and improved windows are one of the most attractive aspects of a home to potential buyers. They are also one of the easiest ways to transform a space into an entirely new look.

Color

Color does matter. Considering the overall color scheme of your remodeled bedroom, keep in mind that the walls will be semi-permanent. Opt for shades that work well with your furniture, appeal to the rest of your house’s décor and generally make happy the person who will be using the space the most.

Aesthetics

The finishing touches are, for most people, the most fun part of the entire process. Investing in a few new accessories, treating yourself to new and luxurious bedding, laying a fresh rug and making small changes – all are things that will perfect your new design.

When you factor in the benefits one reaps after a remodel job, especially for a bedroom – it becomes crystal clear that whatever the investment, it is well worth it in the long run. Whether or not your goal is to sell the property, offer it for rent or to enjoy lasting use of your home – remodeling the bedroom will enhance the experience. Since a crucial aspect of home ownership is to keep your home maintained and up-to-date, doing so will undoubtedly be useful no matter what the goal.

Up and Coming Trends for 2011 – Business As Usual for Most of Us!

Everyone wants to know what to do next. Should they sell? Is it the right time to finally buy? Hold off on all things till the real estate sun shines brighter? One thing that will help you decide whether or not to buy that dream house with the kidney-shaped, mosaic pool is to know what to expect in the New Year. We’ve put together some projected trends for your benefit, based on how things progressed from last year to now.

2009 vs 2010

Looking at property sales figures and comparing them from 2009 to 2010, there is an obvious increase. As much as ten percent or more higher in 2010, what’s promising is that this is a very normal tendency in a stable market. In 2010 in most typical markets there was an average of 11,000 properties sold as opposed to 2009’s 10,000, which means that the relatively normal movement indicates a positive, upward curve.

Higher Median Price Range

Our median prices have gone up about 25% up from what it was in 2009. Contrary to a common misconception, an increase in median price range does not mean that the prices have gone up. In fact, what it really means is that there is a significantly more activity in the higher priced properties; all very promising signs for us.

Fewer Days on Market

The average number of days on market (DOM) for many properties has significantly reduced – as much 40%! Another way of looking at this is that there is an average 40% decrease in time it takes for the usual property to sell. In other words, things are looking up!

Lower Interest Rates Stay Low

We all know they’ve been low for some time, but no one really knows how long they will stay that way. Experts are predicting that they will continue to remain low for at least the next six months, to as long as 24 months, which is great if you’re in the market for a new home. With this promising to carry into 2011, this is also a very good time to get that refinancing done, if you haven’t done so already, and lock in those great rates!

A Few Not-So-Fantastic Trends

Of course, it’s not always a bed of roses and this year’s expected hurdles are mainly centered on a slow (although definitively steady) pace of improvement, slow job growth, and an inclination toward short sales and foreclosures in the more expensive properties ranging from $1.5 million and up.

The bottom line of what to expect for 2011 is a scene of varying markets; each unique to the next, which is why you will benefit from an individual consultation with your real estate agent – to examine the trends in YOUR area.

Generally, based on 2009 versus 2011, we will see “business as usual” but with the advantage of a relatively flat range of prices and the disadvantage of slower than usual job growth. Holding on to the hope that with small incremental growth and little bits of improvement, we expect another year or two to go by as they have been and then things should eventually start smoothing over and working out.