Seven Trends in Kitchen Remodeling
With homeowners in the Triangle spending more and more time in their homes and residences, remodeling trends in both style and efficiency are heading center stage to bring both looks and practicality to every room in the house. And there is no better place to start that remodeling project than in the busiest room, your kitchen. These new and exciting directions in style that can be displayed in today’s modern kitchen are endless. Let’s look at some new and exciting remodeling trends that will completely change the appearance of your North Carolina kitchen.
- Cabinets: With unlimited cabinet choices, colors and woods, the time to be creative is now. Open shelves, roll out racks, display space, and wine racks can combine with more conservative contained cabinetry to offer a hybrid of space, style and practicality.
- Countertops: Although granite is still the most popular new countertop on the market, there are also some exciting and gorgeous choices that involve recycled materials as well as the newly introduced quartz and quartz composite tops.
- Updated Flooring: Beauty and function can come together in new kitchen flooring that allows a variety of flexibility and durability. Solid hardwood, stone and ceramic are truly exciting statements that blend looks with practicality. Based on overall design and floor plan, finding the most comfortable and dynamic flooring will appeal to every homeowner.
- Lighting: Magic can happen any time in both meal preparation and presentation, but the kitchen is a busy place that needs to be bright and sunny no matter the time of day. Lighting installation at the top of the cabinets and under the counter can showcase any new remodeling project. Super-energy efficient LED lighting continues to come down in price with more eye pleasing lighting bandwidths. LED lights also now avoid the brightness delay of the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) while also having the advantage of dimming.
- Fresh Paint: Whether you want your new kitchen to have a daring and bright personality or one that features a calming and soft presence, the colors of the rainbow are truly at your disposal as summer fast approaches. The blue palette offers an ideal backdrop for new appliances and countertops, while a wisp of soft neutrals can surround you in dreamy shades that highlight both flooring and cabinetry.
- Latest Appliances: Stainless is still the classic look for refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves. New generations of EPA Energy Star Qualified and EPA WaterSense qualified offerings are now entering the remodeling marketplace on an increasing basis. Multiple ovens, configured together, to handle a wide variety of cooking tasks both large and small are fast becoming an exciting new trend.
- Plumbing Fixtures: With the world facing a finite water supply, EPA WaterSense qualified plumbing fixtures are becoming more readily available. This high efficient makeover will perform beyond expectation and they will save water.
Some of the best memories of every holiday and every family visit can now take place in the warmth and comfort of a beautifully remodeled kitchen. We offer the best value and can create efficient, healthy, and eco-friendly environments that meet the needs and wants of both you and your family. Give us a call today!
This article was brought to you by the team at Paradise Re-Found (Cary Remodeling). As a Green Remodeling company that specializes in kitchen, bath, additions and backyard renovation, we control costs and create a unique customer experience. This blog is intended to be only consumer information and does not suggest anything beyond simple advice.
Please call us at 919 830 7218
106 Ortons Point Place, Cary NC
Check out our website: http://caryremodeling.net/cary-remodeling-home
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/ParadiseReFound
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The 10 Keys to a Bathroom Redo
We always think of the kitchen as being the centerpiece of a home. It is true that it is a great gathering place. It is where we break bread with family and friends; and it is a place where there is a lot of activity throughout the entire week. But of all the home improvement projects on a homeowner’s radar, none can be the source of greater pride when finished than the bathroom. Although we just saw a smile or two, think about it for a minute. This is the room that you head to first thing every morning; it is a good possibility that you flick the bathroom light off as you head to bed each and every night.
In the typical home, there are different bathrooms with different purposes. From the master bath to the half bath each is unique and each has a slightly different function. Having a state of the art bathroom is not only fun to do in a remodeling project; it is a very cool when it is complete. Here are some things to consider before you start:
- When you go green you go smart: There is a good chance you will save money over time by the simple installation of water saving faucets, showerheads, and low flow commodes.
- Before you start the project, have a detailed inspection done by a plumber to assess any leaks and/or hidden problems.
- Do a rough sketch of what you want in changes including a larger tub or Jacuzzi to make sure you have enough room.
- Additional storage space is a great consideration. The addition of shelving and cabinets might give you a premium amount of space and nicer aesthetics.
- Decide what type of budget and timetable will fit within your lifestyle and stick to it. Looking at all the numbers honestly and realistically will eliminate any surprises once the renovation begins.
- Look at a variety of sources when shopping for fixtures. Prices can vary store to store, so do some homework online and in the newspaper before you head out.
- Remember that color can make the bathroom look spectacular, and a fresh coat of paint will always make a huge difference in first impressions.
- Finally, find a reliable contractor who truly works for you and your family. A contractor with experience in both plumbing and remodeling is an excellent choice. Go online and check both history and background. Just be wary that some things you read online in recommendations might be written by the contractor. Find customers from various sources and check with the BBB or the local chamber and get personal referrals.
- Keep organized by staying on track with deadlines.
- Finally, look at the big picture. Remodeling is truly a number of smaller projects that all come together when compete.
- Bathrooms are fun to do and can really change how you and your visitors view the entire home. Good luck!
This article was brought to you by the team at Paradise Re-Found (Cary Remodeling). It is intended to be informative and in no way does it suggest anything beyond suggestions and advice.
Please call us at 919 830 7218
106 Ortons Point Place, Cary NC
Check out our website: http://caryremodeling.net/cary-remodeling-home
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/ParadiseReFound
LIKE us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CaryRemodeling
Photo credit: 3superizon.com
Every once in a while, a Government-backed program designed to help millions of average Americans goes unnoticed and under-utilized, largely because of a lack of public information servicing, as well as misunderstanding and misconceptions about the program. The FHA 203k Rehabilitation Loan is just such an unknown gem.
What is an FHA 203k Mortgage Loan?
The FHA 203k Loan is designed to provide cash to repair, renovate, or remodel an owner-occupied residential home. It can also be used for multi-unit residential rental properties of three or less units, as long as one of the units is owner-occupied. The home’s value must come in under or at the FHA Loan limits established for the County that the home is located in, and must also conform to minimum HUD standards.
The loan’s amount is based on the mortgage amount plus the amount of added appraised valued to the property that will be realized once the renovation or remodeling projects have been completed, thereby providing much needed cash to complete the construction projects.
The loans aren’t offered by all Mortgage Lenders, and each Lender has established the guidelines under which they will offer the loan.
What Can the FHA 203k Mortgage Loan be Used For?
The FHA 203k Rehabilitation Loan can be used for a wide range of residential property improvements including bringing the home up to the latest trends and styles in kitchens and bath design, completing exterior or interior repairs, replacing old appliances with new Energy Star appliances and HVAC systems, undergoing complete renovations and additions, replacing flooring, and even landscaping. There are a small number of “luxury item” exclusions, such as hot tubs and swimming pools (although some maintenance and repairs are covered).
There are two versions of the loan; a “Streamlined” loan which can provide up to $35,000 of cash to make “non-structural” repairs and improvements, and the “Full” loan which covers a broader range products and services and can provide cash of up to 35% of the property’s appraised value (including the value of the improvements being made). Your Mortgage Lender can help you decide which loan is best for your particular situation.
Why the 203k is a Loan for Our Time (A Rare Source of Renovation Financing)
The FHA 203k loan helps solve a major problem facing the current residential real estate market; how to accelerate the sale (and removal) of these distressed properties from the sales inventory.
A large percentage of the current existing home sales market comprised of “Distressed Properties”. These include not only homes that have been foreclosed on and are now bank owned, but also homes that are being marketed under a “short sale” agreement with the financial institution that holds the note on the home.
Many of these homes suffer deterioration due to being un-occupied, as well as having regular maintenance that was never performed on the home. There are also instances these types of properties that have become victim to vandalism.
Even if these homes have been reasonably maintained, they generally fall outside of the current kitchen and bath design trends and styles. This makes them an extremely attractive bargain, because these types of projects add the most “bang for the buck” and greatly increase the likelihood that the remodeling projects will add substantially to the appraised value of the property after taking into account the improvements.
The FHA 203 loan is a fantastic option for financing remodeling and repair projects at a time when limited solutions exist in the market place that provide cash for these purposes. What’s more The FHA 203k loan can not only be used to purchase a home and finance improvements, but can be used to re-finance an existing home and provide cash to do all of the same types of constructions projects.
Why Waiting to Renovate Often Translates into Never Renovating
The vast majority of remodeling and repair projects fail to be funded to completion or ever undertaken at all. It is very difficult for the average homeowner to finance large projects with cash reserves, primarily because of the many competing priorities on the family’s finances and cash.
Consequently, those projects that can add many years of enjoyment and utility to one’s home never materialize. What’s more, ongoing maintenance and repairs often get deferred, resulting in larger and more expensive repair projects that occur due to added years of destructive weather and pest damage.
The absolute best time to renovate your home is at the beginning of your ownership. This is the time when you are taking the home that you purchased and molding it into your lifestyle and furnishings. Create your perfect paradise by integrating remodel projects into your other move-in projects, and then sit back and enjoy the home paradise that you’ve custom-tailored to meet your standards and desires.
HUD has approved a program aimed at putting foreclosed homes back into the hands of owner-occupant buyers.
In select states, from now into October of next year, buyers need a down payment of only $100 to purchase a HUD-owned REO home.
The buyer must be an owner-occupant, utilizing financing insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Standard FHA underwriting guidelines apply, and the sale must be for the full amount of the current list price.
The $100 down payment incentive program has been approved for two of HUD’s four national regions – the regions managed by the Denver Homeownership Center and the Atlanta Homeownership Center. HUD homes in the states listed, as well as the Caribbean are currently eligible for the program.
Denver Homeownership Center’s Jurisdiction:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Utah
Atlanta Homeownership Center’s Jurisdiction:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Mississippi
-
North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Caribbean
HUD’s $100 down payment incentive program can also be applied to an FHA 203k loan, which can be used to fund repairs and renovations on the home. The 203k program allows buyers to finance both the mortgage and additional money for rehabilitation needs with a single government-insured loan.
Matt Martin, CEO of Matt Martin Real Estate Management (MMREM), says this is one of the most exciting features of the new incentive program and should drive a lot of exposure to FHA’s 203k offering.
MMREM is under contract with HUD to assist with disposition sales of its repossessed homes. MMREM handles properties throughout 16 states, or about a third of HUD’s REO portfolio.
With an FHA 203k loan, “buyers can find a property that needs some TLC, fix it up however they want to, and finance the whole thing for $100,” Martin explained.
“MMREM is excited to work with this recent initiative, in a way that it supports putting HUD homes back into the hands of homeowners,” Martin said.
In addition to $100 down instead of FHA’s typical 3.5 percent down payment, HUD says it will also cover up to 3 percent of the closing costs in most cases.
Green Flooring Alternative – Cork
Cork products are made by harvesting the bark of the Cork Oak tree.
Cork is considered to be a sustainable choice because removing the bark does not kill the tree or necessitate cutting the tree down. The bark from a single tree can be stripped from the trunk and lower branches every nine to twelve years, with the average number of harvests being between fifteen to twenty times over the course its lifetime. The alternative for most other wood flooring products require cutting a tree down (for example Oak), that can take up to a hundred years to replace.
Once the bark has been removed it is boiled to make it more malleable and less prone to breakage during the production process. Cork flooring is made from the scraps left over from the production of other products. These by-products are ground up, formed, and baked in large ovens.
To read the rest of the article click here.
Jeff Wiblitzhouser is a Green Remodeler and Builder of high-performance Energy Star and Green Building Certified homes. Specializing in integrating cost-effective energy efficient, healthy, and environmentally and socially responsible building materials and practices into residential construction. To contact Jeff call 919-830-7218 or email him here
Green Flooring Alternative – Bamboo
Bamboo is an agricultural crop grown all over the world. It prefers warm, moist climates such as natural forests. 20% of the world’s natural bamboo comes from China, much of it wild. Increasingly it is being cultivated in managed forests and is emerging as an important natural resource and source of income in struggling economies throughout Asia.
Bamboo is a member of the grass family. It has several unique characteristics, including:
• It is a rapidly growing invasive plant – it can grow up to 65 feet or more in height within a span of four years
• Cutting does not kill or damage the roots of the plant, and as such it can quickly regenerate to be harvested again
• Its extensive root system not only makes bamboo more adaptable to environmental conditions, but it also helps in areas prone to soil erosion by keeping the soil in place
To read the rest of the article click here.
Jeff Wiblitzhouser is a Green Remodeler and Builder of high-performance Energy Star and Green Building Certified homes. Specializing in integrating cost-effective energy efficient, healthy, and environmentally and socially responsible building materials and practices into residential construction. To contact Jeff call 919-830-7218 or email him here
Green Begins With Blue
With so many Green products and services being offered in the market place, sometimes it’s difficult to determine how these products represent a Green alternative to something that is less green or not Green at all.
Design and Build Your Energy Efficient Green Built Cary NC Home
While products designated as Organic are more readily understood to have been grown without the use of environmentally detrimental chemicals and additives, what determines a Green product’s Greenness may not be as apparent or even as narrowly defined as the term Organic is.
For example, just because a Green product is made from a plant doesn’t necessarily imply that the plant was grown organically. Bamboo is a great example; some products made from bamboo are considered Green because the alternative products are made from plants that take many multiples of time and resources to produce than bamboo plants does, making the bamboo product a much more sustainable(and less expensive) alternative.
So what does Green Building mean in the context of residential home construction?
The short answer is that Green begins with Blue, that is, the Blue Logo of EPA Energy Star® designation. So, at its core, Green Building adheres to the EPA’s standards of resource and performance efficient construction methodologies and product specifications.
To read the rest of the article click here.
Jeff Wiblitzhouser is a Green Remodeler and Builder of high-performance Energy Star and Green Building Certified homes. Specializing in integrating cost-effective energy efficient, healthy, and environmentally and socially responsible building materials and practices into residential construction. To contact Jeff call 919-830-7218 or email him here
Here are the latest additions to our Resource Library!
(Click here to read the Article about the reference material that was added)
Here are the latest additions to our Resource Library!
(Click here to read the Article about the reference material that was added)
