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tracee ribar's take on cool home stuff

Reclaiming for a New Future May 29, 2015

Filed under: Home Innovations,Real Estate — tracee ribar @ 9:34 am
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Some of you may have been to this years Home and Garden Show at the Ohio fairgrounds and seen the amazing reclaimed barnwood sided “cabin” erected by the Mount Vernon Barn Company. This structure was the centerpiece of the show this year; show emphasis was the idea of reclaim and reuse as a central theme. Doug Morgan, founder/owner of the company see’s this as a labor of love which began when he dismantled, moved and rebuilt an historic cabin on his property in Mount Vernon. It was the birth of  a new calling-reclaiming what has been forgotten and giving it new life.

Mount Vernon Barn company can take on a variety of projects from a complete home build, to additions and garages. They also have a millwork division creating custom cabinetry and flooring. Check out their website!

Mount Vernon Barn Company

 

Top Home Projects for Best Returns May 23, 2015

Filed under: Home Innovations,Real Estate — tracee ribar @ 9:27 am
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Not sure what to do to get ready to sell?  Here is a tidy look at project costs and benefits. Rule of thumb: mid-range projects yield a higher return, but a lot depends on the price point of the property at resale, current housing market (hot!) and how far in advance of selling you make the improvements. In short, spend money wisely but improvements are often worth the investment.

The following is a re-look at the top 10 midrange and upscale projects from the 2013-14 Cost vs. Value Report:

Top 10 Midrange Projects

1. Entry Door Replacement (steel)
Job Cost: $1,162
Resale Value: $1,122
Cost Recouped: 96.6%

2. Deck Addition (wood)
Job Cost: $9,539
Resale Value: $8,334
Cost Recouped: 87.4%

3. Attic Bedroom
Job Cost: $49,438
Resale Value: $41,656
Cost Recouped: 84.3%

4. Garage Door Replacement
Job Cost: $1,534
Resale Value: $1,283
Cost Recouped: 83.7%

5. Minor Kitchen Remodel
Job Cost: $18,856
Resale Value: $15,585
Cost Recouped: 82.7%

6. Window Replacement (wood)
Job Cost: $10,926
Resale Value: $8,662
Cost Recouped: 79.3%

7. Window Replacement (vinyl)
Job Cost: $9,978
Resale Value: $7,857
Cost Recouped: 78.7%

8. Siding Replacement (vinyl)
Job Cost: $11,475
Resale Value: $8,975
Cost Recouped: 78.2%

9. Basement Remodel
Job Cost: $62,834
Resale Value: $48,777
Cost Recouped: 77.6%

10. Deck Addition (composite)
Job Cost: $15,437
Resale Value: $11,476
Cost Recouped: 74.3%

Top 10 Upscale Projects

1. Siding Replacement (fiber-cement)
Job Cost: $13,378
Resale Value: $11,645
Cost Recouped: 87.0%

2. Garage Door Replacement
Job Cost: $2,791
Resale Value: $2,315
Cost Recouped: 82.9%

3. Siding Replacement (foam-backed vinyl)
Job Cost: $14,236
Resale Value: $11,124
Cost Recouped: 78.1%

4. Window Replacement (vinyl)
Job Cost: $13,385
Resale Value: $10,252
Cost Recouped: 76.6%

5. Window Replacement (wood)
Job Cost: $16,798
Resale Value: $12,438
Cost Recouped: 74.0%

6. Grand Entrance (fiberglass)
Job Cost: $7,305
Resale Value: $5,163
Cost Recouped: 70.7%

7. Deck Addition (composite)
Job Cost: $35,158
Resale Value: $22,881
Cost Recouped: 65.1%

8. (tie) Bathroom Remodel
Job Cost: $51,374
Resale Value: $32,660
Cost Recouped: 63.6%

(tie) Major Kitchen Remodel
Job Cost: $109,935
Resale Value: $69,973
Cost Recouped: 63.6%

9. Roofing Replacement
Job Cost: $34,495
Resale Value: $21,731
Cost Recouped: 63.0%

10. Bathroom Addition
Job Cost: $72,538
Resale Value: $43,936
Cost Recouped: 60.6%

The data used in the Cost vs. Value Report was collected with the help of REALTOR® Magazine in an online survey between August and October 2013. More than 4,500 NAR members participated from 101 U.S. cities, up from 81 cities included in last year’s survey.