The Right Renovations for your Resell

Most people tend to spend money on the wrong renovations, and don't give detail to the right ones. Being a Real Estate Agent in Park City, I tend to see quite a lot of remodels without the right renovations or that seem very redundant, drab and over done. I have always felt, that these two areas in a home are the key domains if your going to remodel something, do the kitchen and bathroom. NAR has estimated that homeowner's will recoup 85% or higher of their costs in their resell if you pay attention to these two areas. And of course, always get referrals or at least 3 estimates to choose your contractor.

Ideas for your Kitchen

1. Inexpensive ideas for your kitchen remodel is definitely an option if you don't want to tear out all the cabinets, and change the layout. Refacing is simply removing the old exterior of your cabinets and replacing with new wood, glass, or a tin. Now this won't change their interiors, and you have to make sure the cabinet is in good condition for this option to be effective. Don't forget you could just re-stain or paint your cabinets as well. Definitely change your hardwear. Spending money to replace knobs and pulls with a bronze, brushed nickel, or a colored glass will instantly modernize their look.

2. Many people love the idea of granite and stone in their kitchens and bathrooms. I think the market at large is impartial to those materials. As we've used these so regularly in homes, we've found out the expensive downside. Both granite and certain stone are proned to cooking stains, and of course the maintenance is a lot more expensive because regular cleaners will scratch and stain. There are some beautiful Corian options out there, not to mention other materials that have become all the rage like, concrete, tile and synthetic stones. If you choose to use the higher end granite or stone, it will still look fabulous, but those options are not the only ones that will make a remodeled kitchen catch a buyer's eye.

3. Don't forget to update those appliances, stainless steel is great, more maintenance, but not nessessary. Try paneling the appliances to match the cabinets, or you can have an appliance refinisher re-enamal your surface to any hue you like, keep in mind resell colors. People love energy saving machines, and often you can find them cheaper at an internet retailer like Direct Buy.

4. Travertine is a really nice touch for a kitchen floor, and definitely for the bathrooms, but don't rule out other great ideas like slate or laminate. Laminate often looks just like stone or tile. Easiest thing out there to clean, and if you have a flat floor you can just place it right on top, without having to tear up anything. And of course if you have a home with wood flooring underneath bring it to the surface. It will give a great rustic feel.

5. Light fixtures is a must. I prefer can lighting, with covers that match your colors. You can use energy efficient bulbs in them as well. If you have a long area to light, the string lights with bronze or chrome coloring look great, and a lot of them are adjustable to light all different areas at once.

Ideas for your Bathroom

Almost all the ideas for your kitchen should be applied to your bathroom as well.

1. Many people are putting in those new pedestal sinks, I have mixed emotions and so do buyers. Don't think this is a must for your remodel, yet it could be a great addition. Simple designs with nice bronze or chrome fixtures look great for sinks.

2. The walls of showers should be tile, travertine, or slate. Try to steer clear from the vinal, plastic look. In the master if possible, put in a walk-in shower with duel heads, this is becoming very popular. If you can replace the tub with a jetted one, always a bonus, but you can also re-enamel your tub to give it a new look.

3. Living in Park City Utah, many of us find it hard to believe we live in a temperate desert. So water saving wherever you can utilize it in and out of your home is great. I would suggest installing a low flow or duel flush toilet. The average savings is amazing. It's stated that you can save 48-50 gallons of water a day, that's almost 18,000 gallons a year. More and more people are looking for green efficiency.

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