by Sarah Ashton, Broker Associate, Re/Max of the Islands
“If I knew then what I know now…..”
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average length of time for a first time home buyer stays in their home is 11.4 years. For those purchasing their second home the average length of ownership is 14.8 years. Either way, after 10 years living in a home, there will be some items that need to be updated – paint refreshed, new appliances, or perhaps something more significant.
Remodeling your home is a wonderful opportunity to really make the space your own as well as updating and refreshing the property. It can also be a messy and stressful activity if it isn’t planned out. If a remodel is in your future, here are a few items to keep in mind that may save you some headaches later.
If the remodel includes re-configuring the space you have and perhaps re-positioning existing furniture items – measure twice! Before they start the demo – have a plan. The last thing you want is for your favorite antique curio cabinet to not fit in the space you designated it for. Consider utilizing the professional help such as an architect, design center or interior designer to help.
Consider how you live today and how that affects the location of electrical outlets and switches. It is great to be able to actually get to a plug in a bedroom that isn’t right behind the headboard. Equally as great is having the light switch to the room just inside the door versus across the room. Think it out – it is time well spent.
When choosing your paint colors, look at the samples inside the space and not just in the paint store. Many windows used today have tints build into them (Low-E) to reduce heat gain and fading rays of light. They also change the way paint colors look inside the house. Bring the sample home and put some on the wall to see what it really looks like. It will save an expensive re-paint job.
There are many joys and many challenges to remodeling a property. With some advance planning the goal of loving the finished product can be achieved.
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