Preferred Properties of Texas

The Preferred way to buy & sell property for over 25 years

Demand for Home Design and Remodeling Soars Amid Pandemic

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Homeowner fascination with outdoor projects has skyrocketed, and experts saw a 58% increase in prospects that this June versus a year ago.
Layout and remodeling professionals around Houzz are seeing a rise in demand for their services. With homeowners spending more time at home, pros received 58% more job leads in June of the past year than they did in June 2019. The growth is due in part to homeowners reevaluating their spaces and in part to changes Houzz has made into the stage to help homeowners find and connect with the right professionals for their own projects.

Outdoor spaces are very popular nowadays, and searches for pool and spa professionals in June were three times greater than in precisely the same month a year earlier. Demand for kitchen and bathroom remodelers jumped 40% in June compared with the year before. Read on for more details concerning the professional kinds homeowners are searching for on Houzz, as well as the projects they are most interested in.

Demand for Outdoor Projects Was High in June 2020

Inquiries for swimming pool design and building experts more than quadrupled (up 334 percent ) on Houzz at June compared with the previous June, while inquiries for pros to aid with deck, patio and patio projects almost tripled (up 178 percent ). Homeowners also sought out more privacy and safety, with curiosity about fence setup and fixes up 166%. And landscape architects and contractors saw demand for their services double in June compared with June 2019.

“We are the busiest we have ever been,” says landscape professional Holly Stickley of The White Pear in Portland, Oregon. “Three-quarters of the design company came from Houzz last year, and we have seen a considerable increase in job requests this summer, particularly for large-scale properties. Our customers are forgoing vacations on account of the coronavirus outbreak and investing in making their houses more pleasurable to shelter in place”

“There is an incredible rise in consumer attention for home improvement jobs throughout the nation, and people are coming to Houzz to locate professionals for major projects like fresh swimming pools and decks, in addition to for more modest outdoor improvements such as tree planting and fencing,” says Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing at Houzz.

“Over the last year we have made many major additions and improvements to how our platform helps homeowners find and connect with the ideal professional for their job — allowing people to immediately program Video Meetings with experts through Houzz Pro is simply 1 example — and we are really seeing the effect of those investments in the quantity and caliber of connections we are making.”

While outside spaces were of big interest in June, homeowners showed a desire to better their indoor spaces. For instance, demand for house additions and extensions grew by 52% in June compared with the exact same period in 2019.

Homeowner interest in hiring a general contractor was up 61% in June compared with a year before, although interest in hiring a kitchen or bath remodeler was up 40%. Homeowner searches for interior designers were up 19% in June and up 24% for architects.

Requirement for Home Remodeling Pros Rose Around Many Parts of the U.S.

Many metro areas experienced considerable growth in demand for dwelling practitioners in June. Regions having high year-over-year growth in job leads for experts include Boston (80%), Atlanta (73 percent ), Chicago (72%), Houston (71%) and Miami (54 percent ).

QUESTION:

How is demand for your services during the pandemic? Please tell us how business is going in the comments.

5 Home Remodeling Projects With Top-Dollar Returns

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Your house is in the perfect location, arrived at the perfect price, with the ideal lot. (Yay southern exposure! ) )

However, the house itself? Perfect is not the adjective you would use. But you understood that going in, and now you’re ready to begin making it just perfect.

But where to start? How about with data? Data is that buddy who tells you like it really is.

Because while some home enhancement that brings you pleasure is priceless, not all of add as much house equity as you might anticipate.

The”Remodeling Effect Report” from the National Association of REALTORS® includes tons of data on how much improvements cost — and how much of those costs you can regain.

 New Roof

If you end up sprinting to your buckets when it begins to sprinkle, obtaining a new roof needs to be your No. 1 to-do. Measuring rainfall from the indoors isn’t trendy.

The price: $7,500

The yield: 109 percent at $8,150

Considering it’s what’s between you and the elements, it’s a no-brainer.

Not positive if you need a roof? Signs you might comprise:

Shingles are missing, curling upward, or covered in moss.
Gritty pieces from the asphalt shingles have been coming from the downspout.
You notice stains on ceilings and walls.

Hardwood Floors

You flip on the TV to see that your fave house reno-ing duo can it be , turning a ranch that’s stuck in the’80s.

They make it into the living area, pull the darkened carpet to show hardwood floors in fantastic condition. They are psyched — and for good reason.

Hardwood floors are a timeless classic. Neither will you regret adding new hardwood flooring when you’ve got none.

The return: 100% at $2,500

The price to buy new: $5,500

The return: 91 percent at $5,000

New Garage Door

No real surprise that a garage door replacement project made it on this #winning listing — a brand new garage door provides a big boost for your house’s curb appeal at a relatively modest price.

The price: $2,300 (for a two-door)

The return: 87% at $2,000

There are options galore, too. A host of factory-finish colors, wood-look wrought iron steelglass window insets are just a few of the possibilities that’ll give your doors bankable personality.

Better Insulation

Insulation is tucked out of sight, so it’s often out of mind — that is, until you’re forced to wear your parka inside because it’s sooo darn cold.

The price: $2,100

The return: 76% at $1,600 (and the added savings on cooling and heating costs!)

New Siding

In almost any color! And not paint again.

Those are just two of the three advantages of vinyl siding. The third, of course, is your home’s worth.

However, if long-time homeowners look at you funny when you mention vinyl siding, just tell them that now’s vinyl is far much better than what they recall because of fade-resistant finishes and transferable lifetime warranties.

The cost: $13,350

The yield: 75 percent at $10,000

Want fiber-cement siding rather? Additionally, it shows a strong revival of 83%. Although it’s the pricier choice — you will spend about $18,000 with a revival of approximately $15,000 — it has something vinyl nevertheless lacks — that the perception of quality.

And quality matters. In a poll by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB),”quality” was one of the most essential traits that home buyers focused on when house hunting.

7 Painting Hacks to Get the Look of a Pro — Without the Pro Price

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A DIY painting job doesn’t have to equal crooked lines, besmirched floors, and ceramic sinks speckled with robin’s egg blue.

Use these easy painting hacks, to make the process faster and less messy — and ensure a fresh, modern look for your home.

#1 Soak Brushes in Fabric Softener to Keep Brushes Soft

Every DIY painter has been privy to the horrors of a day-old brush with stiff bristles that makes round two nearly impossible. Try this painting hack instead:

To keep paint brushes soft:

  1. Rinse thoroughly (no soap).
  2. Mix half a cup of fabric softener with a gallon of warm water
  3. Swish brushes in the mixture for 10 seconds or so.
  4. Lay them flat or hang them on a peg for overnight storage.

“That way, the bristles won’t develop a bend and will retain their usefulness for your next painting adventure,” says Artem Filikov, vice president of marketing and product development for home improvement website HomeYou.

Also, there’s no need to rinse before using. The softener actually helps distribute paint more smoothly.Sweet!

#2 Use Plastic Wrap to Prevent Mishaps

When painting around a large, awkward item you want to keep clean, like a toilet or a standalone sink, use this painting trick from the pros: surround it with plastic wrap to keep drips from destroying its finish.

For an extra tight wrap, choose a wrap with an adhesive backing — your hardware store will even carry special painter’s plastic wrap, if you really want to go all out — which will help it stick to the surface and prevent the odd drop from inching its way in. Once you’ve finished the job, just unwrap for a paint-free finish.

#3 Use Vanilla and Lemon Extracts to Reduce Paint Odor

Paint’s intense odor can get really old really fast. Overpower it with a little bit of vanilla.

Although there are vanilla-scented products specifically designed to use with paint, you can get the same effect with what’s in your kitchen cabinet.

For darker paints, add a couple drops of vanilla extract (artificial is fine) per gallon to reduce the nasty smell and keep your room smelling sweet for weeks to come.

Because you don’t want the tint of vanilla to ruin the color of your paint, swap it with lemon extract for light-colored paints.

#4 Repurpose Old T-Shirts as Rags to Reduce Waste

Painting’s a messy job, but using roll after roll of paper towels is neither efficient nor environmentally-friendly.

And while you could pick up a mega-pack of plain cotton towels to keep paint from splattering, why not use something you can find stuffed at the back of a drawer?

Run petroleum jelly along the seals of your doors and windows to prevent them from sticking.

Geoff Sharp, the owner of Sharper Impressions Painting Co., recommends cutting up old T-shirts to use as rags, saving money and resources (not to mention a trip to Goodwill).

“If paint runs down your roller or brush, it gets really messy, really quick,” he says. “Always have a rag in your pocket so you and your brush or roller stay clean.”

#5 Keep Q-tips Handy for Mistakes

Oh no! A drop of Naples Sunset just splashed on your white window frame. You’ve only got a few minutes to clean up the mess before your mistake is sealed for eternity.

That’s where Q-tips come in handy. Just stash some in your pocket for these types of emergencies.

Here’s another use for that pile of cotton swabs tucked in your jeans pocket: Use them to touch up imperfections on newly-painted walls without dirtying an entire paintbrush.

#6 Put Petroleum Jelly on Small Spots You Don’t Want Painted

A little bit of Vaseline can go a long way toward keeping your paint job clean.

Using a Q-tip (another reason to keep them handy), go over all the bits and pieces you don’t want painted, like screws or hinges. With the petroleum jelly applied, even an accidental slip won’t leave you heartbroken.

Here’s another tip for a hassle-free paint job: “Run petroleum jelly along the seals of your doors and windows to prevent them from sticking,” Sharp says.

#7 Use a Hair Dryer on Painter’s Tape for Easy Removal

Painter’s tape is supposed to make your paint job easier and stress-free.

But when strips of perfect paint peel off along with the adhesive — or you just can’t get the darn tape to come off at all — you might feel like you wasted your effort.

To help stubborn painter’s tape get a move on, turn a hair dryer (low heat only) toward your handiwork.

Holding it about three inches from the wall will help soften the adhesive and ensure an even line, making removal a stress-free affair — and ensuring you keep that dreamy, crisp paint line.

Fixer Upper vs. Move-In Ready: Which One Is Right For You?

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When it comes to buying real estate, you want to make sure the property you purchase is the right fit for your needs. For some buyers, purchasing a home that needs some work is the ideal situation. For others, getting a turnkey home that’s move-in ready is the only option they’ll consider. And for still others, both seem like reasonable options.

The question is: which is for you? There are pros and cons to both fixer uppers and move-in ready homes. The important thing is to recognize which is the best fit for you, your budget, and what you want out of a home.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of fixer uppers and move-in ready homes to help you determine which is the better fit for you:

Fixer uppers

Fixer uppers are, as the name implies, homes that need a bit of TLC – or fixing up – upon move in.

Pros

Discounted price

The major draw of fixer uppers is the price. Since they need work, you can typically get a fixer upper at a fraction of the cost of a move-in ready home of a similar size or in a similar location. So if you’re on the hunt for a bargain or you have a tight budget, a fixer upper is definitely going to be the least expensive home-buying option.

You can make the house your own

Since a fixer upper will need work and renovations, it does offer the opportunity to put your own stamp on the design and layout and really make the house your own. With a move-in ready home, the work has already been done and the home already designed. With a fixer upper, you get the opportunity to build your home from the ground up with everything from flooring and cabinetry to landscaping and windows.

It’s a project

For people who are interested in home renovation, there’s nothing better than a fixer upper. Taking on the challenge of completely transforming a home is a really exciting prospect for a lot of people, and if you’re in that camp, a fixer upper is a great opportunity to take on a worthwhile project.

Cons

It can get expensive

Even though the purchase price of a fixer upper is typically low, if there is a significant amount of problems with the property or changes that need to be made, it can definitely get expensive. Things like repairing electric, adding a new roof, tearing up and installing new flooring, and redoing a kitchen can get pricey, and if you’re not careful, you can find yourself way over budget, swimming in contractor bills with no end to your renovations in sight.

It takes time

Even if you’re a person who loves renovating homes, there’s no escaping the fact that it takes time. If you need to move into your home quickly, a fixer upper isn’t going to be the right fit.

Move-in ready

Move-in ready homes are recently built, updated, or remodeled homes that need next to nothing in terms of renovations or improvements. You can comfortably move in without making a single change.

Pros

It’s convenient

In terms of convenience, you can’t beat a move-in ready home. Moving can be a stressful process, and for many new homeowners, the last thing they want to do upon moving into their new home is start managing a bunch of renovations. With a move-in ready home, once you move in, you’re done. While you may want to make some cosmetic changes down the road (like painting the walls or changing the flooring), there’s nothing that needs to get done after you move.

Better energy efficiency

Newer, move-in ready homes tend to be more energy efficient, which is not only better for the environment, but also better for your utility costs. Energy efficient homes require less energy to heat the home during the winter and cool the home during the summer, which can end up saving you a significant amount of money in the long run.

Cons

Home prices are higher

When you buy a move-in ready home, you’re paying for the convenience. Move-in ready homes will always be significantly more expensive than fixer uppers in the same neighborhood and of the same size. If you have a tight budget, you might have to make some sacrifices to purchases a move-in ready home, like buying a smaller house or buying in a less popular neighborhood.

The “cookie cutter” effect

When you buy a move-in ready home, everything has already been done for you. Which is certainly convenient, but it can lack originality, charm, and the architectural and decor details you might want in a home. Newer homes sometimes feel more generic and “cookie cutter” than their older counterparts, so if charm and individuality are important for you, a move-in ready home might not feel like the best fit.

Fixer uppers and move-in ready homes both have unique benefits and challenges. Ultimately, you have to go with the choice that best aligns with your budget, your needs, and your long-term goals for your home.

Building On Your Land – What You Need to Know

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The land we own can serve many purposes. Some buy land as a place to hunt or fish, while others plan to grow crops or start a farm. For others, it’s a place to build your dream home or vacation getaway. Regardless of your reason, if you’re planning to build a home, cabin or outbuilding on your land, there are a few things you need to know first.

Zoning

Before building any structure on your land, you need to determine whether it’s actually legal to do so. Zoning restrictions and topography may dictate that a home or structure may not legally be built, or it will be required to be in a certain area of the property. Be sure to check with an experienced local builder to help you navigate any potential issues.

Finding a Lender

Once you have any zoning issues sorted out, your next step should be to meet with a lender that’s experienced in construction loans so that you can be pre-approved for a loan based on your financial needs. In general, a build-on-your-lot or custom home will require a down payment of 20% to 25% of the entire cost of building the home, including permits and site preparations. Most lenders are willing to finance construction for a year. When the home or building is complete they will require you to refinance into a permanent loan for the property.

Building a Home

There are three primary options for having a home built on your land. Choose the one that fits your needs and budget best:

Build-On-Your-Lot Builder – Most of these builders will have a variety of pre-designed floor plans for you to choose from. Oftentimes they can offer you a choice of specific fixtures and appliances for your home. This can save you money, but make sure these products match what you’re looking for.

Design-Build – These firms work with you to plan your new home from the ground up. It’s a similar process to working with a build-on-your-lot builder, except your home will be a custom design. These firms usually have in-house architects or a contract with an architect who will work with the construction company.

Architect – Of course, you can always hire your own architect to build your new home or building. The architect can create the exact home you’re envisioning using your ideas and their expertise. If you choose to hire your own architect, be sure that the architect and builder are willing to work together and can confidently meet your budget.

Feel free to contact our office, we are happy to answer any questions.

The Realtors at Preferred Properties of Texas in Stephenville are here to help you buy and sell real estate for over 25 years!

 

Preferred Properties of Texas

(254) 965-7775|Contact Preferred Properties of Texas