Remodeling Talk...

Smart Remodels in Dallas from the 2012 Remodeling Cost Vs. Value Report

If you’re considering which remodeling projects to tackle first, consider these projects which maximize the enjoyment you get from your home, increases its market value and maximizes what you recoup from your remodeling dollar.

can pay for the new stationery, signage and website updates.

—William Holston

Historic neighborhood meets dozens of new homes

Major Kitchen Remodel

Cost Recouped on Resale: 73% for Midrange, 64% for Upscale

The report describes highlights including semi-custom wood cabinets, an island, energy efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, new appliances, custom lighting and resilient flooring.

Bathroom Remodel

Cost Recouped on Resale: 66% for Midrange, 63% for Upscale

The report describes highlights including new ceramic tile surrounds and flooring, a new single lever shower control, new toilet, and a solid surface vanity counter with integral sink.

Attic Bedroom

Cost Recouped on Resale: 77% for Midrange, Not listed for Upscale Highlights include converting unfinished space to a 15 x 15 bedroom with a 5 x 7 bathroom with shower, as well as new windows, closet space, HVAC extensions, and electrical wiring.

How can we allow tract housing where I am sure every home will look the same in a neighborhood that fights to keep itself original (“Sixty $500,000+ homes to be built in Hollywood/Santa Monica near park,” Aug. 9 on lakewood.advocatemag.com)? Sure we have conservation rules and standards that they must obey when designing and developing, but just like any suburb developer they will build the cheapest thing they can get away with. Also, no neighborhood vote on this?

—Bryan

Why should the neighborhood get to vote on this? These guys are developing within the guidelines that the neighborhood already established years ago. That was when you got your vote. You do not have any right to input over what they do as long as they’re following the rules, nor should you really have that expectation. If you don’t like it, you should have bought the land.

—Coronado

That will be a serious upgrade to an area that benefits from the Santa Fe Trail.That is the tract that housed the DHA apartments.

—Ted Barker

The conservation guidelines for [these houses] are quite different from [the rest of the conservation district] in terms of setback, lot size, and height restriction. I can imagine what these houses will look like. —EDM

They could be slightly taller, slightly closer together, and have smaller front yards, but they have to be brick Tudors. It’s not “Plano,” as some people are claiming. The developer could build 100 18-foot townhouses if he wanted to; this will be much nicer than that.

—Los Politico

The four-legged bellboy

Higgins Bottomley has come a long way in the year since his humble beginnings at a shelter. The beagle mix now lives a posh life as the new director of pet relations at the Hotel Palomar on Mockingbird and Central Expressway. The Palo-