Home and Design 2022_01_21

2022

A B L A N K S L AT E M E D I A S P E C I A L S E C T I O N • J A N U A R Y 2 1 , 2 0 2 2

22 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 21, 2022

Getting started on your home remodeling I

f you are looking to upgrade your home, now is the best time to do it. You can save a ton of time and money by starting your next home remodeling project sooner rather than later.

Prices for home remodeling products like windows, doors, siding, roofing, masonry, and more are continuing to increase monthly. some of these products have increased over 50% the past year.

If you start your project now, you will be able to save and lock in the current price of products before the next price increase. Not only are the prices of materials increasing but so is the labor costs. Labor for home remodeling projects has seen increases of over 10% between 2019 and 2021.

This means with the increase in pricing and increases in materials. a job you could have gotten done in 2019 is not over 60% more expensive today.

With all of this said, the sooner you are able to sign a contract for your next home remodeling project the better off you will be.

The other reason you want to start your home remodeling project as soon as possible is because of the delays in manufacturing. With the raw material shortage in the world right now, products are taking months to be made, shipped, and delivered.

Some products have seen limitations placed on certain styles or colors in order for the manufacturers to increase the production of supplies to meet the current demand. Starting to decide on the specific styles, colors, and materials you want for your project now is smart. You want to make sure everything you want is available and placed on order as soon as possible to ensure your project is done in time for Spring.

Story provided by Steven DiMare of Unified Windows

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 21, 2022

Creating Beautiful and Happy Homes

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24 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 21, 2022

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pen-concept homes have become increasingly popular in recent years. An open-concept home is one in which the rooms flow into one another with limited obstruction from walls or other barriers.

According to the National Association of Home Builders,

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A smaller home can feel much larger if it employs an open concept. The square footage is not divided into smaller quarters, which sometimes are rooms (such as formal dining rooms) that are only used a few times per year.

This eliminates underused spaces and opens up sight lines in the layout.

84 percent of new singlefamily homes have fully or partially open layouts.

The value of real estate has risen dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and prospective buyers may prefer an open-concept plan because it can help them minimize building costs.

While they may seem like a new trend, open floor plans are anything but. Early American homes featured open, often one- or two-room units built around the central kitchen/hearth. This maximized warmth and functionality. Homes evolved as incomes grew, and soon homes had several smaller rooms with specialized functions.

What’s old has become new again.

However, before diving head first into a new home purchase or a big renovation to realize an open-concept dream, consider the pros and cons of this type of setup to determine if it’s really right for you.

Advantages of open floor plans Open floor plans facilitate the flow of natural light throughout a space and can promote air flow, helping to reduce warm or cool pockets of air in otherwise closed-off rooms.

Open homes make socializing easier, even when people are doing different things. While someone is cooking dinner in the kitchen, he or she can still interact with someone else playing video games in the family room or paying bills in the home office.

Entertaining also is easier, as mingling with guests is much more convenient when walls are not getting in the way.

Disadvantages of open floor plans Open layouts are not for everyone. The same sense of space that occurs when walls are taken down may make rooms feel cavernous and less cozy, particularly in homes with ample square footage. In addition, privacy can be hard to come by when all rooms feed into one another.

When the kitchen is not separate from the family room space, that makes it easy for noise to compromise the area’s comfort levels. There is no hiding from noise in an open floor plan, as sounds from voices, television shows and appliances tend to echo and blend together. And if the home is a single-story layout, those noises from the main living areas also may carry to adjacent bedrooms.

Smoke and smells are another thing to consider. When something on the stove spills over, a small range hood will not be practical for clearing smoke from a large space. Though the aroma of freshly cooked food is enticing, it can make it hard for cooks to keep guests out of the kitchen.

Open-concept homes are popular, but homeowners should weigh the pluses and minuses to see if this trend is truly right for them.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 21, 2022

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26 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 21, 2022

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What is a HELOC?

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omes symbolize many different things, including an investment in one’s future.

Bank of America says a home equity line of credit, often referred to as a HELOC, is a line of credit secured by your home. It is a revolving credit line that can be used for various expenses. The Credit Union of Southern California reports that a HELOC credit line is issued by a lender and has a limit and variable interest rate that is secured by the equity in your home.

A HELOC is similar to a credit card in that they both provide revolving credit. Investopedia says revolving credit is an agreement that permits an account holder to borrow money repeatedly up to a set dollar limit while also repaying a portion of the current balance due in regular payments over time. But unlike credit cards that may have high interest rates, the interest rates of HELOCs often are lower — a significant advantage when paying off large amounts of borrowed money.

Home equity accessed through a HELOC can be a great source of value for future renovations, large purchases such as cars, educational expenses, and alternative debt repayment. The credit limit of a HELOC depends on your credit standing and unpaid debts.

It also is determined by the market value of the home and how much you owe on your mortgage. According to Credit Karma, banks tend to limit the amount borrowed to no more than 85 percent of the appraised value of the home, minus what is owed on the mortgage.

HELOC terms also vary, but they can run for as long as 30 years.

Even though there are many benefits to HELOCs, there is a downside to using a home as collateral. Investopedia says home equity lenders place a second lien on the home (in addition to the first mortgage lien). Defaulting on HELOC payments can result in legal action and a home being repossessed. Another potential pitfall is a lender may reduce or freeze your credit line after missed payments. Even though banks attempt to limit how much can be borrowed through HELOCs to help avoid potentially negative situations, they are not without risk.

Borrowers considering a HELOC have other options, including home equity loans. Homeowners can speak with financial advisors to learn more about their options for maximizing equity in their homes.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 21, 2022

Popular kitchen flooring materials costly than other types of flooring.

But its budget-friendliness is not the only benefit of vinyl flooring, which HGTV notes is easy to clean, making it an ideal choice for families that routinely confront spills and stains. HomeAdvisor notes that vinyl is the best waterproof material among all kitchen floors.

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itchens have long been considered the most popular gathering spaces in a home.

That popularity compels millions of homeowners to renovate their kitchens each year, and the return on those investments is often significant.

A number of variables, including the value of neighboring homes and how quickly homeowners sell their homes after a renovation, affect the return on investment with a given project. According to Remodeling magazine’s “2021 Cost vs. Value Report,” homeowners recouped roughly 72 percent of their investment in a minor kitchen remodel at resale. That’s a sizable return that outperformed other popular upgrades, including vinyl siding replacement and wood deck additions.

When renovating kitchens, homeowners will have to consider various components within the room, including the floors. Average flooring costs can be hard to calculate because they depend so heavily on homeowners’ choice of materials. The following are some popular flooring materials that homeowners can consider as they plan to renovate their kitchens.

• Vinyl: Vinyl flooring is popular thanks in large part to its cost.

According to the home remodeling experts at HomeAdvisor, vinyl flooring installation is much less

• Porcelain/ceramic tile: HomeAdvisor reports that the average cost to install porcelain or ceramic tile flooring is between $885 and $2,994. That’s less than the average cost to install stone or wood flooring. Porcelain or ceramic tiles can be slippery when they get wet, though HGTV notes that some porcelain flooring tiles have been certified as slip-resistant by the Americans with Disabilities Act. • Hardwood: It’s hard to beat hardwood when it comes to aesthetic appeal. Hardwood can be especially suitable in homes with open-concept floor plans that already have hardwood floors in surrounding rooms. HomeAdvisor notes that hardwood flooring installation can be costly, which might make it a less realistic option for budget-conscious homeowners.

According to HGTV, engineered wood planks may be something to consider in the kitchen, as these are designed to be less susceptible to humidity and temperature. That’s an important component to consider in the kitchen, where temperatures can fluctuate while meals are being prepared.

• Stone: Natural stone tile is another popular kitchen flooring material. HomeAdvisor traces that popularity to its wide variety of styles and price points, which make it a realistic option for homeowners working with budgets big and small.

Stone tiles also provide a unique look because no two look the same, which might appeal to homeowners who want their kitchen floors to create a one-of-a-kind impression.

Kitchen flooring materials vary widely. That variety ensures there’s a material for any style and budget homeowners are working with.

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28 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, January 21, 2022

Reupholster instead of replace furniture.

Low-cost ways to revamp living areas

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ome improvement projects require substantial financial investment. But just because a homeowner wants to bring a fresh look indoors doesn’t mean he or she has to break the bank along the way.

Update the flooring.

Living rooms are some of the most frequently used spaces in a home, and they can use an update from time to time to stay on trend or to make the area more functional for a changing family dynamic. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for breathing new life into living room designs.

Tired, outdated carpeting or other flooring can use an overhaul. While solid hardwood flooring may be preferable, there are many types of laminate flooring that mimic the looks of popular wood colors and styles for a fraction of the cost. Plus, many are sold at home improvement retailers and even at warehouse clubs or online for reasonable prices.

Laminate flooring also may be a potential DIY job for a skilled homeowner, saving even more money.

Establish the budget.

Introduce a fireplace

Homeowners should figure out how many dollars they can designate to a living room makeover before purchasing supplies or hiring out the work. Figure out the scope of the remodel, visit stores or suppliers to price out materials, get estimates from contractors, and then plan for some unforseen circumstances along the way to determine if this type of renovation is affordable. If not, scale things back until the project more closely aligns with your budget.

Fireplaces were once hot commodities, but that popularity waned in the 1970s and 1980s.

Homeowners with chimneys may discover a fireplace was boarded over and the bare bones still exist that can be renovated to bring back character. There also are ventless freestanding units that are quite affordable that can mimic the look of a built-in fireplace.

Change the paint color.

Lighter and brighter colors are on trend. A can or two of paint can do wonders for updating a space without a large financial commitment.

Pair that new paint color with new window coverings and complementary throw pillows to pull the theme together with minimal expense.

There’s no need to throw away quality furniture if the fabric is the only thing impeding design. New upholstery or even a slipcover can update designs.

Conquer clutter.

Rather than adding something to the living room, remove clutter to give the room a more airy feel. This can instantly change the look of the room. Use cord covers to tame plugs for electronics and remove unnecessary furniture from the room.

Improve lighting.

Another easy and often inexpensive fix is to change lighting fixtures, including using brighter, more energy efficient LED bulbs, and to assess lighting needs to eliminate dark corners of rooms that can make the space seem drab.

Living room spaces in need of an update often can benefit from improvements that go easy on the wallet.