Pool or No Pool?

Summer is here and a question on many homeowner's minds is should we dive in and build a pool? Before you take the plunge here are some things to think about.

1. How long are we planning on living in this home? Plans change all the time, before you invest several thousand dollars in to building that dream pool you should make sure that you will be there long enough to enjoy it. The last thing you want to do is build a pool this summer, only to move the next.

2. Where does my house fall in my neighborhood? Are you the biggest, nicest home in your neighborhood? If so you might want to reconsider investing more money into it. If you are the average sized home in a neighborhood and you plan on living there for five or more years, it's probably a great investment!

3. Don't expect to get your money back when you sell. Build a pool so you can enjoy it, but don't build one expecting to increase the price of your home.

4. The value a pool brings depends on the buyer. Pools in Texas are usually a great selling point, some buyer's specifically look for a property that already has a pool. However, some buyer's will not purchase a home simply because it has a pool, while others are willing to pay more for a home with a pool.

All in all, summer memories playing in the pool are priceless and putting in a pool is a great decision for many families. Pools provide great entertainment during these hot Texas summers. Just make sure that before you jump in you have realistic expectations of your investment.

If you are thinking about putting in a pool and you want to know where your house falls in the neighborhood, give me a call I'll do some research and give you the facts.

Farm Sink

A new trend we are seeing in kitchen's is the return of the Farmhouse Sink. These sinks can add just the right touch to your kitchen. It's made with functionality in mind. The "apron" front that drops down in front of the sink is it's signature trait. It's ornate design adds elegance & rustic charm.

Bathroom Update Trends

Another Great Article from my favorite website If you're thinking about remodeling your bathroom you might consider this information:

Granite is slowly beginning to lose some of its popularity in favor of other bathroom vanities, and green–the color, that is–is catching on, as these trends–along with others–gain steam in bathrooms this year, according to a National Kitchen & Bath Association survey of 100 designers. The survey offers insights into the hottest trends in bathrooms for 2011. Here are four trends to watch in bathroom home design. 1. Quartz countertops more in demand. While granite still reigns in bathroom vanity tops, it’s popularity is slowly sinking as quartz continues to steal some of the market share, according to NKBA. While 83 percent of designers still opt for granite, that number has gradually been narrowing in recent years as quartz increases in demand (54 percent of NKBA designers opted for quartz). A year ago, 85 percent of NKBA designers used granite, compared to 48 percent for quartz. Meanwhile, solid marble vanities have also been on the decline (from 46 percent to 37 percent), while cultured marble has increased slightly in use among NKBA designers from 12 percent to 19 percent. 2. Bathrooms go “green”–literally. Green color palettes for the bathroom are on the rise. Twenty-four percent of NKBA designers say they are using green colors to spice up bathrooms–up a year ago from 14 percent. However, the three most most common color choices in the bathroom remain: Whites and off-whites, beiges, and browns. 3. Sink preferences mount. Under mount sinks continue to dominate newly remodeled bathrooms, but vessel sinks are increasingly becoming a more popular choice. Integrated sink tops are also on the rise, as well as pedestal sinks. 4. Satin finishes shine. In following recent kitchen trends, satin nickel faucets in bathrooms are rising in popularity, while brushed nickel faucets are falling out of favor. Other popular faucet finishes in the bathroom include bronze and oil-rubbed bronze, polished chrome, and polished nickel. Meanwhile, stainless steel finishes are becoming less popular in the bathroom.

Home Trends

What to know about the hottest home designs and trends? Click here to read all about the latest and greatest according to the International Builder's show: smaller spaces, energy efficiency, earth tones, and outdoor entertainment are all the buzz!

Outdoor Living Space

Many home owners are choosing to create living space outside of their homes in the form of outdoor patios, kitchens, fireplaces & entertaining areas. This is a very popular trend we are seeing and it's paying off. Not only do you get to enjoy the space while living there but it's a huge selling point that sets you apart from your competition when you go to sell. Whether it's a building a deck, adding a porch, pergola, fireplace or kitchen you are sure to get a return on your investment. With all that said, be sure not to go overboard for the neighborhood. Also don't think that it takes several thousand dollars to create this outdoor space, there are several inexpensive things you can do yourself.

Recently I sold a home that had a pergola covered porch, our biggest competition was a brand new home down the street with the same floorplan listed for less money and the buyers chose ours!

Kitchen Remodel?

Realtor magazine just released their annual Remodeling Cost vs Value Report. One of the projects on the list? Minor Kitchen Remodel. There is no doubt that Kitchens SELL homes. The national study found that many home owners overimprove their kitchens, which is not cost effective unless you plan on staying there a long time.
Some tips for remodeling the kitchen "cost effectively"
-Keep existing electrical wiring and plumbing in place
-Consider painting your cabinets instead of buying new ones.
-Ceramic Tile is the way to go when it comes to flooring, it's more cost efficient than wood and is well received by buyers..
-Laminate Countertops can be a great alternative to granite, marble or other stones. There are many that resemble these quite well and for a fraction of the price.
*If you do want granite or a natural stone instead of going to Home Depot or Lowes, go to a local fabricator. They have yards full of reminents at a fraction of the original cost. (I've got a great guy who does this and his prices are unbeatable!)
-Do some work yourself, tell your contractor that you'll remove the cabinets and paint.

Many buyers consider the kitchen one of the most important rooms in the house, you will be pleased with the return on your investment!

If you want more kitchen remodeling ideas or contractor contacts, shoot me an e-mail or give me a call. I'll be happy to help!