Remodeling Tips from Your Friendly Real Estate Broker

I’ve been a home owner for over 20 years, and I’ve seen my fair share of remodeling projects- both big and small.

Here are 3 key points I’ve learned from my experience to help you get the most out of your remodel:

1. Go Quality:

Flooring, light fixtures, cabinetry, hardware, plumbing fixtures, appliances - all of these things come in a variety of qualities. You may think you're saving money by going with lower priced products, but in the end it will cost you more because they will need to be replaced sooner. The quality products you invest in now will continue to serve your family for years to come, and will be an asset for your home when it comes time to sell. A cheap remodel is worse than no remodel at all.

2) Go Classic:

We have all walked into a cute little craftsman bungalow and seen the trim stripped away, ceilings lowered, wood floors covered with carpeting, paneled walls- essentially all the original charm replaced by a mid-century aesthetic. Believe me, I LOVE mid-century aesthetics - in a mid-century home. In a Craftsman bungalow, it just looks wrong. Don’t be tempted to go with the latest aesthetic fad when remodeling. In a few years it will just look dated and you’ll want to remodel again. If you stick with an aesthetic that is true to the age and style of the house, it will always look right and will never go out of fashion.

3) Go Deep

If your remodel involves tearing into walls, replace everything you can, ie: electrical work and plumbing, while you’re in there. There is nothing worse than having to tear into your newly remodeled room to fix leaky plumbing or faulty wiring. Take care of that proactively when everything is already opened up. It will save you time and money in the long run.

Remodeling can be expensive and time-consuming and let's face it, it's no fun to live around all that dust noise, mess and upheaval it can cause in your life. Make the most of your remodel by doing it right the first time.