Breathe new life into old homes

Breathingnew life intoold homes

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Each of the three TriCities communities share a river, history and wonderful older homes (including many from the 19th century). Ownership of an older home comes with one unavoidable truism…something always needs fixing. If you are an owner of one of these wonderful, older homes, you may be considering improvements, upgrades, changes that matter to you. Enhancements, inside and out, not only increase a property’s resale value, but also its functionality.

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Each of the three TriCities communities is unique in its own way. What they share is a river, history and wonderful older homes (including many from the 19th century) along the river and within walking distance of downtown areas. From large and majestic to small and quaint, the nostalgic defining character of these homes is appreciated by residents and visitors alike. Ownership of an older home comes with one unavoidable truism… something always needs fixing. If you are an owner of one of these wonderful, older homes, you may be considering improvements, upgrades, changes that matter to you. Enhancements, inside and out, not only increase a property’s resale value, but also its functionality.

In 2015, Guy and Kim May bought a traditional older home in Geneva with a vision. While they loved the location, the property and the older home, they set out to make the house fit their vision of the home they dreamed of for their family. With help of Batavia architect Steve Vasilion, Vasilion Architects (vasilion.com), they began their transformation project (see before and after photos).

Spring is the time of year that homeowners get inspired, go to home shows, join gardening clubs, investigate remodeling ideas and tackle home maintenance. There are plenty of ways to create a more comfortable, more

Photo courtesy Guy and Kim May

A new garage is added to the May home. In addition to this new construction,

contractor John Nevin with NCH General Contractors replaced siding, windows and installed maintenance-free gutters.

attractive home.

This is particularly important among young home buyers. 68% of millennial home buyers reported buyer’s remorse, according to a Bank of the West survey. Today’s high home prices mean that many millennials are buying older homes rather than newly built ones.

“Before making any structural modifications to an older home I would always recommend consulting with an architect,” advises Steve Vasilion. “The one or two hour consulting fee is worth it, especially in older homes.”

“Steve was great to work with,” says Kim May. “There were some ideas I had that Steve helped bring our ideas to life…

and he also helped us rethink a few things that weren’t practical for this house.”

The TriCities is not only rich with older homes but also professionals ready to help you achieve the dream home you’ve always wanted.

Home exterior.

If you do nothing else, carefully inspecting the roof, siding and windows on an older home should be an annual must do. Sometimes it can be the damage under the “skin” of your home that will result in the most costly repair if left unchecked. For the more ambitious projects, there are highly qualified local contractors familiar with and experienced

Photos courtesy Guy and Kim May

With the help of architect Steve Vasilion, Guy and Kim May turned their older home into their dream home. At far left, the May’s home before renovation. Center and right, the transformation is complete.

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in older homes. The Mays chose John Nevin, NCH General Contractors, Aurora. “The Mays were very easy to work with,” notes Nevin, “which was helpful because we did this project in the winter.”

NCH replaced the siding, windows, and added maintenance free gutters. But the major construction involved the driveway and garage. A steep driveway leading up to a one car garage was a serious winter hazard. Vasilion created a design that gave the Mays a two car garage, a flat driveway, and a unique walkout over the garage leading into a family favorite “media room.” The result speaks for itself (see photos).

Outdoor Spaces

Make your outdoors as inviting as the indoors by adding a deck, patio or sunroom, or you can remodel one you have. There are trends like fire pits, pergolas and gazebos that make it easy to transform your area for entertainment.

With the help of Neri Landscape, the May family transformed their front yard from traditional landscaping to prairie style design that takes advantage of low maintenance plants indigenous to this area.

Peter Gatsch, President of National Energy Contractors Inc., said “Upgrading your home with a traditional or modern gazebo draws people outside to relax and socialize.” National Energy uses energyefficient products for everything from year-round sunrooms to screened patios. windowsnec.com. Di Giulio Exteriors & Interiors is another local option for outdoor projects. Whether you want more privacy with a new fence or want to spruce up your patio with a brick fireplace or kitchen area, there are many options to improve your outdoor space. digiulioexteriors.com.

Gardening clubs in Kane County provide inspiration and an opportunity

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to exchange ideas with people in the community. The Fox Valley Garden Club meets the second Monday of each month from January through November at West Aurora Plaza, Aurora, foxvalleygardenclub.org. The Pottawatomie Garden Club meets at Baker Memorial Church, St. Charles. pottagardenclub.org.

You can also plan a landscaping project on your own or speak with a professional. Horticulturist Carol Arand says “Landscaping should bring out the features of your house. It should enhance its color and compliment its style.” When you consult a local landscape company like Neri, you get an expert’s point of view about what indigenous plants will look best for your older home. The May family front yard is a perfect example.

Technology additions

Smart-home features are frequently requested in new construction. Fortunately, your older home can become a smart home too when you implement technology, such as home automation. Thanks to WiFi, there’s no need for clumsy and costly rewiring. Smart thermostats, smart music and programmable lighting are prime examples. The Mays added a “media” room in space over and behind their new garage.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

HVAC is often the most challenging area in older homes. When it comes time for repair or replacement, homeowners in older homes may be in for an unexpected surprise.

In the worst of cases, HVAC equipment can become dangerous. The National Fire Protection Association, at nfpa.org, found that 19% of all home electrical fires were caused by an HVAC electrical failure or malfunction. The fires could have been prevented through proper installation, maintenance and cleaning.

Bill and Josette Cosette of Patriot Heating & Cooling Services Inc. encourage homeowners to check airconditioning and heating equipment before the beginning of a new season. “HVAC maintenance, furnace cleaning and AC cleaning ensures that any small problems are found before they become major problems.”

Air duct cleaning can keep your home safe, too, by improving the indoor air you breathe. “Over time, air ducts can

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Photos above and below courtesy Guy and Kim May

The May’s kitchen, pictured above before remodeling, saw a complete renovation. The new kitchen, shown below, opened up more living space.

also become clogged with mold, fungi and bacteria, as well as dust,” notes Scott Johnson of DMe Heating & Cooling. Having your ducts cleaned removes the debris, immediately improving indoor air quality.

Tankless water heaters are ideal for older homes because they are easy to install, take up much less space and

can reduce energy costs by as much as 60 percent. Because they heat water on demand, you never have to worry about running out of hot water. What’s more, longer warranties than what can be found with traditional storage-tank water heaters are now available. Ask your HVAC provider about the 25-year warranty from Noritz and other quality brands.

Interior redesign, wall removal Removing a wall between the kitchen and living room can enhance the functionality of the area and bring a modern open concept design to an older home. Cutouts in walls are another option if the wall cannot be completely removed. Remember to ensure any wall is not load-bearing before removal so you don’t impact the structural integrity of the home (your architect will help with this). The Mays completely remodeled their kitchen and adjacent living area, removing walls to open up the living space and create the feel that is just right for them. The kitchen work was done by Brakur Custom Cabinetry in Shorewood. “Kim May knew exactly what she wanted for her home and what she needed for her family,” recalls Brakur representative Mike Wiles. “In older homes especially it is important to work with a custom cabinet maker,” Wiles advises. “This is the only way to be sure everything fits exactly. We can make drawers of any depth, special cabinets for odd corners. We build everything custom to fit the space right.”

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Popcorn ceilings

Once upon a time, popcorn ceilings were the top trend installed in every house. Today, they distract the eye and make a home look old. Consider hiring someone to redo your ceilings or research how to scrape it yourself. Leave flat or add a knock-down texture, which is a popular modern drywall finishing technique.

Photo: Jon Cunningham

New paint or wallpaper

That ’70s pea-green paint in the bathroom and the ’80s floral wallpaper in the bedroom instantly date your home. Update the walls and your house will feel more modern. You can customize to your personal tastes. Dedicate a weekend to painting in your favorite spaces and you’ll be amazed at the transformation.

Painting old grout

After years and sometimes decades, grout in bathrooms and kitchen spaces really take a beating and turn a dirty color that’s impossible to clean. It can be timeconsuming and tedious to replace grout, so to get a fresh look consider painting it instead. Specialty grout paint makes the process simple with easy application features that simply roll on.

Update hardware

Hardware throughout a home gets dingy and dated. To update a space without an overhaul, simply change out the hardware. Cabinet knobs, drawer handles, towel racks and more in a modern metallic hue can make a space feel fresh again without much investment. Don’t forget about air registers, which can also impact the visual appeal of a space.

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Photo: Jon Cunningham

Energy-efficient insulation

There are many modern insulation options available today that weren’t around when older homes were built, and many of those homes have little to no insulation at all. In addition to insulation, remember to seal spaces for air loss, such as air ducts, doors, windows, pipe inlets and the attic.

Light fixtures

Light-fixture styles change through the years and can make your home appear older than necessary. Replacements can make a world of difference. For example, replace an old brass chandelier with a modern pendant design. Not only will it be a style update, but the light output can make the space more usable.

Embrace the history

Be sure to research the history of your home, your neighborhood. Would pulling out that original wood built-in be a detriment to the home’s authenticity

and value? Perhaps you can hire someone to update the original wood flooring, so it has the modern stain tone you like, but the planks still maintain the home’s original luster. If you are not sure about your home’s historical standing, contact your historical society.

The week of April 22 is National Preservation Week. Check out the programs being offered at your park district and library.

This spring, stroll the streets of older homes in Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles. Say hello to neighbors working in their gardens, wave back to folks on front porches. It is along these streets that you will discover more than the quaintness of the TriCities…you will discover a special character that these three river towns share.

Some content for this article was contributed by Brandpoint Media (BPT)

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Visit a Home Show

Home shows throughout Illinois are a great way to get fresh ideas in home renovations, view the latest trends in remodeling and schedule estimates. Visitors can meet local contractors face-to-face to discuss work they need done.

2019 Spring Home & Garden Expos

St Charles: Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center April 13 & 14

Grays Lake: Lake County Fairgrounds April 27 & 28

Western DuPage County Home Improvement Expo DuPage County Fairgrounds May 11

2019 Fall Home & Garden Expos

St Charles Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center Oct. 5 & 6

Grays Lake: Lake County Fairgrounds Oct. 19 & 20

Go:

Brakur Custom Cabinetry: 630-355-2244, brakur.comDiGuilio Exteriors-Interiors: 630-745-0914, digiulioexteriors.comDMe Heating & Cooling: 630-485-2071, dekalbmechanical.comFox Valley Garden Club: foxvalleygardenclub.comNCH General Contractors: 630-244-4160, nchgeneralcontractors.comNeri Lanscape: 630-443-4722, nerilandscape.comPottawatomie Garden Club: pottagardenclub.orgPatriot Heating &Cooling: 331-229-0212, patriothvacservices.netVasilion Architects: 630-406-8880, vasilion.com

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Real Estate

Ready, stage, sell!

by Deb Gurley

Light and space sell homes…you want your home to look its best as buyers cross the threshold.

As a seller, you want your home to look its best as buyers cross the threshold. The majority of buyers start their home search online first. Photos are one of the most important components of a listing. If photos don’t pique a buyer’s interest right away, they likely won’t take the next step of making an appointment to see your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, 77% of buyer’s agents believe staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home, 49% believe staging a home increases the dollar valued offered, and 62% believe it decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market.

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Make your home stand out, whether in pictures or in person, by using these staging tips:

◆ Clear the clutter—Highlight the design elements of your home by removing unnecessary items and personal touches, thereby creating a blank canvas for prospective buyers to visualize the space as their own.

◆ Rearrange furniture—Although it may be tempting to move furniture against walls, this can make the room appear smaller and less inviting. Moving furniture together can give the impression of a more spacious area of warmth and comfort.

◆ Improve lighting—Use a combination of lighting options from overhead lighting, floor and table lamps, to wall lighting for creating ambience. Let as much light as possible into your home by opening all blinds and curtains and turning on all lights, thus making rooms appear larger.

◆ Clean, clean and clean again—You want every inch of your home to shine and without odors. When a buyer sees a clean home, they believe the home has been maintained.

◆ Neutral it is—A fresh coat of neutral paint (gray, white, beige, taupe) can brighten a room and make a big difference. Bolder colors often distract from a room’s real assets and don’t often highlight what potential a buyer can see. Keeping it neutral allows buyers to pay attention to the property’s features.

◆ Update with ease—While too many items can detract from a home’s value, adding a few small touches like throws, pillows, and plants can add some style and make the home more welcoming.

◆ Initial impression—The first thing most buyers see when pulling up at your home is your front door and curb appeal. Remove any dead or dying plantings, trim the bushes, replace the worn doormat, repaint the front door, power wash stoops and patios if needed. Making a first good impression emits to buyers’ good things to come.

Light and space sell homes…the more space and light you create with staging, the higher dollar you can gain. Use these tips and your pictures will show it, more importantly your buyers will appreciate it with their offers.

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