January 10th, 2017 7:56 PM by Dale DiGennaro
Walking into the same old kitchen everyday, with its white walls and dated cabinets, may get tedious. You're thinking about remodeling, but also considering selling in a few years. What's the best course of action?
Typically speaking, the cost of a kitchen remodel is not totally recouped in the resale price. However, if you plan to stay in your house for any length of time, then it's important to consider the increased standard of living you enjoy while using the new kitchen.
There are many reasons why a remodel would not pay for itself. One reason is that it is very hard to predict what a future unknown homeowner would pick for their remodel selections. Would they prefer a light granite countertop or a darker one? Many other decisions come into play during a remodel; it’s a roll of the dice on your choices if you plan to sell. Keeping your selections in a neutral tone will reduce the likelihood of a potential buyer seeing a deal breaker in your "unique" selection.
Kitchen remodels do not typically pay for themselves because remodeling the kitchen is very expensive. There are many aspects to a kitchen remodel to consider: the countertops, cabinets, floors, and major appliances. These costs add up quickly, and then you are so involved in the remodel that you lose track of the bottom line.
If you are thinking of selling soon and want to add maximum value, think about less expensive steps you can take. Paint cabinets, replace countertops (not with granite), and consider upgrading the sink or at least, the sink hardware. Little changes like these will make your kitchen more appealing without costing you more than you can recoup in a sale.
We'd love to help! Are you ready to fill out a loan application today? Just curious about rates? Regardless, I'd be glad to help you go over your options. Give me a call at (707) 252-2700 or visit me online.
Did you know you can use vodka as an astringent? It tightens pores and cleans the skin. You can also use it to get ink stains out of carpet or clothing.
Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to change your home's air filters monthly. Doing so reduces indoor air pollution, reduces your energy bill, and lengthens the life of your heating and air conditioning units.
Put your hand very close to the opening of an exterior window or door. Can you feel any air from outside? If so, you need weatherstripping. Weatherstripping is fast and easy. Calling a handyman to do it should be very inexpensive, but you can do it yourself. Your local hardware store can show you how it's done, or check out this article..
Job Gains Surge
Over the past week, two highly anticipated economic events caused significant, but offsetting, reactions for mortgage rates. The negative impact of Friday's strong Employment report was greater than the positive effect of Thursday's Bank of England announcement, and mortgage rates ended the week a little higher.
Mortgage rates increased following the release of Friday's upside surprise in the important monthly Employment report. Against a consensus forecast of 180K, the economy added 255K jobs in July. In addition, upward revisions added 18K jobs to the results for prior months. The unemployment rate remained at 4.9%, above the consensus of 4.8%, as more people entered the workforce.
Average hourly earnings, an indicator of wage growth, exceeded expectations, and they were 2.6% higher than a year ago. Stronger job and wage gains are negative for mortgage rates, since they increase the outlook for future inflation.
On Thursday, the Bank of England (BOE) announced a 25 basis point rate cut and a new bond purchase program to stimulate economic activity. Investors had expected the rate cut, but the additional bond purchases were a surprise to some. In the statement, the BOE said that the outlook for economic growth had "weakened materially" following the Brexit vote on June 23. The added demand for bonds from the BOE helped push global bond prices higher and yields lower, including U.S. mortgage rates.
Looking ahead, second quarter Productivity will be released on Tuesday. The JOLTS report, which measures job openings and labor turnover rates, will come out on Wednesday. The most significant report of the week, Retail Sales, will be released on Friday. Consumer spending accounts for about 70% of economic output in the U.S., and the retail sales data is a key indicator. In addition, there will be Treasury auctions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Did your carpet look fantastic when you first moved into your home? If so, you've probably struggled to keep it looking great. Kids, pets and the daily mishaps of life have taken its toll on your once-plush rug.
There are several sure fire ways to keep your carpet looking new and clean; one of the most important techniques for this is practicing a bit of preventative maintenance. Regular vacuuming of a carpet, and the strategic placement of entry floor mats directly in front of and outside your doors will dramatically cut down on the wear of household carpets. The floor mats placed at the outside doors of your home will help to trap the dirt that adheres to the feet of everyone who enters your house. Another important preventative maintenance tip if you own pets, is to bathe them and brush them regularly.
When one of those household accidents occurs, and you spill something on your carpet, first try to blot out as much of the liquid as possible and to do this as soon as possible. What you do next depends upon what has been spilled on the carpet. Regardless, you'll need a gadget that can suck moisture out of the carpet. Carpet stains are best removed by dilution; dilute the stain with the appropriate liquid and suck it up quickly. Don't use your regular vacuum cleaner on wet stains unless it's rated to handle moisture.
If red wine has been spilled on the carpet, you want to use a combination of water and baking soda. Apply a mixture of 1 part baking soda to 2 parts water (by volume) on the affected area. Scrub this mixture into the carpet; blot out the excess moisture, then vacuum up the stain. If the stain remains, keep applying this mixture and sucking it up until the wine is gone.
If coffee has been spilled on the carpet, add some cold water to the spot to dilute the stain, and then blot up the excess moisture. Next add some white vinegar to the stain, and again blot up the excess moisture. This will take out the stain and return the spot to its original color.
If ink is spilled on the carpet, use alcohol on the stain, since most ink is alcohol-soluble. Flood the stain and suck up as much of the dirty alcohol as possible.
Give us a call at (707) 252-2700 or send us an email at dale@clgroup.net. We're glad to answer questions — no obligation, of course. NMLS#298353|845079 CalBRE3966782\944064