Well, if it’s built before 1978, you may be in for a surprise. That’s because lead-laced paint was used in more than 38 million homes before being banned for residential use in 1978. And starting in April 2010 (next week), the EPA’s Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) rule takes effect; it requires that anyone paid to do a job that will disturb lead paint must:

• Be EPA certified
• Follow specified safety practices to contain and properly clean the work area, minimizing the generation and distribution of lead-paint dust
• Pass a final cleaning inspection
• Provide homeowners with proper documentation, including the Renovate Right pamphlet and a pre-renovation form

The bad news: Renovation prices may go up, what with more certifications, work requirements and inspections. The good news: Job sites will be safer for contractors and homeowners.

If you’re hiring a remodeler or painting contractor, know what to expect from them. Check these important facts about the dangers of lead, checking for lead in your home and keeping your family safe.

Good luck with your painting project.

This information was obtained from the “Handyman Club of America”

“Household spending is expanding at a moderate rate, but remains constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit. Business spending on equipment and software has risen significantly,” the Fed said.  “However, investment in nonresidential structures is declining, housing starts have been flat at a depressed level, and employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls. 

“While bank lending continues to shrink, financial market conditions remain supportive of economic growth. Although the pace of economic recovery is likely to be moderate for a time, the Committee anticipates a gradual return to higher levels” the Fed said.

The Fed also said it would end its program of purchasing mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help keep home loan rates low. That program will conclude at the end of this month when the Fed’s mortgage bond holdings reach the $1.25-trillion limit it set last year.

 California’s median home price hit bottom in February 2009 at $245,170.  Since then, the median home price has increased steadily in month-to-month comparisons, but remained below 2008 levels throughout 2009.  The annual median price is projected to increase to $280,000 in 2010 from $271,000 in 2009.

 Homes priced $500,000 or less dominated the sales mix throughout 2008 and early 2009, but peaked at 85 percent in January 2009.  Meanwhile, the market share of homes sold for more than $500,000 increased from 15 percent in January 2009 to 25 percent in July 2009, holding steady around that figure for the remainder of last year.

 So if you are thinking of buying, what’s stopping you? Contact me and I can show you your next step, why wait any longer?

2. Flooring & Counters
Ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural stone tile, remain popular kitchen flooring options, but hardwood will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. For countertops, granite continues to be the most popular option, but quartz will nearly catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the primary materials.

3. Flexible Faucets
Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010 in favor of more convenient models. Pull-out faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot filler faucets will also become more prevalent. Kitchen faucets will most often be finished in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel, and polished chrome.

4. Refrigeration
Bottom freezers and side-by-side refrigerators remain a popular option. A surprising trend is the extent to which under-counter refrigerator drawers are being used in the latest kitchen designs. Perhaps even more surprising is that under-counter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

5. A Range of Cooking Options
The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will remain as the most popular type of cooktop over electric.

6. Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer
Standard dishwashers, with the traditional door that pulls from the top down, will once again be easily the most common type in 2010. However, an increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.

7. Appliances Stainless steel appliances will continue to be a popular choice of kitchen appliances, followed by black then white.

~ Barry

Information obtained in part by the National Kitchen & Bath Assco.