Barry Ripp ~ East Bay Area Real Estate

By: John Riha

Published: March 25, 2011

 Kitchen remodeling can turn a ho-hum room into your home’s pride and joy. Here are strategies to help your project run smoothly. A significant portion of kitchen remodeling costs may be recovered by the value the project brings to your home. Kitchen remodels in the $50,000 to $60,000 range recoup about 69% of the initial project cost at the home’s resale, according to recent data from Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

To make sure you maximize your return, follow these seven smart kitchen remodeling strategies.

1. Establish priorities

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends spending at least six months planning your kitchen remodeling project. That way, you won’t be tempted to change your mind during construction  and inflate construction costs. Here are planning points to cover:  Cooking traffic patterns: A walkway through the kitchen should be at least 36 inches wide. Work aisles should be a minimum of 42 inches wide and at least 48 inches wide for households with multiple cooks.

Child safety: Avoid sharp, square corners on countertops, and make sure microwave ovens are installed at the proper height—3 inches below the shoulder of the primary user but not more than 54 inches from the floor.

A professional designer can simplify your kitchen remodel. Pros help make style decisions, foresee potential problems, and schedule contractors. Expect fees around $50 to $150 per hour, or 5% to 15% of the total cost of the project.

2. Keep the same footprint

No matter the size and scope of your kitchen remodel, you can protect your budget by maintaining the same footprint: Keep the walls, locate new plumbing fixtures near existing plumbing pipes, and forget bump-outs.  Not only will you save on demolition and reconstruction costs, you’ll cut the amount of dust and debris your project generates.

3. Get real about appliances

It’s easy to get carried away during your kitchen remodeling project. A six-burner commercial-grade range and luxury-brand refrigerator may make eye-catching centerpieces, but they may not fit your cooking needs or lifestyle.  High-priced appliances are worth the investment if you’re an exceptional cook. Otherwise, save thousands with trusted brands that receive high marks at consumer review websites, like www.ePinions.com and www.amazon.com, and resources such as Consumer Reports.

4. Light your way

Good kitchen lighting helps you work safely and efficiently.  Install task lighting, such as recessed or track lights, over sinks and food prep areas; assign at least two fixtures per task to eliminate shadows. Under-cabinet lights illuminate cleanup and are great for reading cookbooks. Pendant lights over counters bring the light source close to work surfaces.

5. Be quality conscious

Functionality and durability should be top priorities during kitchen remodeling. Resist low-quality bargains, and choose products that combine low maintenance with long warranty periods. Solid-surface countertops, for instance, may cost a little more, but with the proper care, they’ll look great for a long time.

6. Add storage, not space

Here’s how you can add storage without bumping out walls:  Install cabinets that reach the ceiling: They may cost more–and you might need a stepladder–but you’ll gain valuable storage space for Christmas platters and other once-a-year items. In addition, you won’t have to dust cabinet tops.

7. Communicate early and often

Establishing a good rapport with your project manager or construction team is essential for staying on budget. To keep the sweetness in your project:  Drop by the project during work hours: Your presence broadcasts your commitment to quality.  Give your cell phone number to subs and team leaders.  Set house rules: Be clear about smoking, boom box noise levels, available bathrooms, and appropriate parking.

Related articles

• Top 5 Remodel Projects For High ROI (dobbsferry-rivertowns.com)
• Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget: Tips & Ideas (dawnrajda.wordpress.com)
• 2010-2011 Best Value Home Renovation Projects (bargaineering.com)
• Remodel or Move? (athomesense.wordpress.com)

Last year, more than two million people were turned down for home loans, according to federal data, often because the applicants didn’t meet certain lender requirements or because their applications were incomplete or otherwise problematic. With lenders’ underwriting criteria becoming more strict in recent years, it’s important buyers know the most common triggers for mortgage-loan rejection. 

• Insufficient income: Lenders want to be sure borrowers can afford to make the mortgage payments. Lenders typically look for at least a two-year track record of income, which could hurt those who have changed jobs recently.
• Cloudy financial picture: Generally, total debt payments, including the mortgage, cannot exceed 45 to 50 percent of a borrower’s adjusted gross monthly income. Overtime and bonuses are included only if the borrower has worked for the same employer at least two years, and has a history of receiving them.
• Poor credit: Lenders typically reject applicants with FICO scores below 620.
• Low appraisal: One of the predominant reasons buyers are turned down for home loans is because the appraisal on the property is too low.
• Property problems: Sometimes issues turn up within a house, like a major repair or safety issue that needs to be addressed, before an application can be approved.
• Information mix-ups: Approximately 12 percent of new mortgage applications were denied because of unverifiable information or incomplete credit applications, according to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

Related articles

• How to Boost Your Odds of Getting Approved for a Mortgage (dailyfinance.com)
• First-time buyers hit by lenders’ caution (guardian.co.uk)
• How to Know if You Qualify for a House Loan (thinkup.waldenu.edu)

When life gets hectic, you might find yourself daydreaming of a mountain get-away or a calming tropical beach, but unfortunately, sometimes it’s just not that easy to get away.  That’s why it’s important to create a no-frills retreat in the most accessible place, no passport required: your home.

About.com suggests finding a quiet corner to designate as your in-house oasis.  Even it if’s not an entire room, be sure your in-house oasis has a different feel than the rest of the house.  (It it’s just a section of a room, invest in a light weight screen to separate it from the rest of the area.)  Make sure it’s away from technology, including telephones, computers or the television.  (And resist the urge to check work e-mail or bring your Blackberry.)

Add to the relaxing ambiance by painting the walls a soothing color.  Experts recommend pale blues and greens or neutrals such as taupe, beige or brown.  Avoid jarring, energetic shades such as bright yellows or reds.  If you do add color, keep it monochromatic so vivid contrasts aren’t distracting.

Next, get rid of clutter.  Then set up a big, comfy armchair and a small table that’s just big enough for a steaming mug of tea, perhaps a plate of food and a lamp.  Less is more when decorating for stress relief.  Add serene family photos to the walls so you’ll be surrounded by the ones you love, and consider placing candles in the area.  Choose scents such as lavender, sandalwood or sage, which can have a calming effect on the mind and body.

Related articles

• Creating a scented Oasis in your home (myprettyplace.wordpress.com)
• Color Theory: Painting the Walls With Lavender (casasugar.com)