General contractors have bigger jobs than bathroom remodels to worry about right now, as entire homes or, at least entire floors are keeping the construction workers busy. How to solve the problem? Through technology, of course. Made Renovation, a California startup that specializes in bathroom renovations, will expand into Los Angeles, Orange County and Seattle […]
To Stage or Not to Stage? How TV Shows Have Set the Bar
Is your listing camera ready? TV shows about home design and remodeling are having an influence on buyers’ perceptions of what homes for sale should look like, according to an NAR survey. Sixty-eight percent of REALTORS®, according to the 2021 Profile of Home Staging, said their buyers were disappointed by how homes appeared compared with those […]
Most Sought-After Upgrades
Apartment Therapy recently asked designers and contractors to highlight some of the most requested home upgrades from their clients over the past year. Among the popular upgrades they mentioned: Closet Organization Homeowners are taking control of their closets. They’re clearing items they no longer want and adding shelving to better organize their storage spaces. They […]
Most Common Home Improvements in Pandemic
The pandemic has prompted many homeowners to take on updates and renovations projects. More than three-quarters of about 1,000 homeowners surveyed this month say they have carried out at least one home improvement project since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a new survey from Porch.com, a home remodeling website. Homeowners have spent a […]
Tariffs Behind Rising Remodel Costs
Those wanting to spruce up a home may need to add more money to their budget. Builders and contractors are warning that new tariffs on Chinese goods will add $2.5 billion in added costs to the home remodeling industry, and those extra costs will be passed on to customers. NAR’s 2019 Remodeling Impact Report Tariff […]
6 Master Bathroom Trends
Grays, mixed metals, and farmhouse styles are some of the most popular trends for remodelers taking on sprucing up their master bathroom. The 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study is based on a survey of more than 1,100 homeowners who are planning or recently have completed a master bathroom renovation. Some of the trends that […]
Client Tip: FHA Loan Can Help With Home Repair
Got your eye on a fixer-upper or a foreclosure home? A Federal Housing Administration home loan program can help buy the place and give it a makeover, too. An FHA-insured Section 203(k) loan allows borrowers to lump the cost of repairs and improvements into their mortgage. Benefits for homebuyers and homeowners “We’ve seen tremendous growth […]
Client Tip: Building Code, Permit Issues Derail Deals
Homeowners need to understand the codes, ordinances, and requirements when they remodel and then put their homes up for sale. Knowing when to seek expert assistance can help you and your clients avoid surprises during an inspection or at the closing table. A buyer made an offer on a two-bedroom condo. Agent Ian Katz and […]
Client Tip: Buying a Flip
This spring’s housing market is so tight, with a near record-low supply of homes for sale, that buyers who find a move-in ready home are ready to pounce. The better the finishings, the higher the price sellers can command. Some flippers are turning historic homes into modern, hybrid treasures, but others are slapping cosmetic fixes […]
Oct. 31 – CVAR At A Glance
Featured Classes and Events Oct. 31 | Happy Halloween! Nov. 1 | Secrets to Finding Hidden VA Buyers – Lunch & Learn CVAR East Nov. 3 | Commercial Open Forum Nov. 4 | Probate Process A-Z Nov. 7 | CRMLS Training Nov. 8 | Structure Your Team – Lunch & Learn – CVAR East Nov. […]