Home IMPROVEMENT
AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL
OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
Roofing Color Trends
Shades of gray dominate consumer interest
INSIDE
Remodeling Projects That Makes Sense Storm Preparedness
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
Planning A Home Remodel That Actually Pays Off BY JASON ALDERMAN
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
There was a time when contractors building McMansion-style home additions or Michelin-worthy kitchens were a regular sight in many neighborhoods—until around 2006, when the Great Recession began to take hold. Here’s the good news: home improvements are starting to add value in a rising housing market. Here’s the bad news: you have to be very careful about the renovation or remodeling projects you select to avoid over-stretching your budget.
In 2014, completing successful home improvements comes down to two critical questions: • Will you get most of your money back when you sell your property? (The days of 100 percent-plus returns on renovations are over, at least for now.) • How will project costs affect your overall financial plan?
Here are questions to fuel your planning: • How long you plan to live in the home after the renovation. The Great Recession proved many homeowners didn’t recoup elaborate—or sometimes modest—improvement costs when selling their homes. Even in a recovering market, it’s good to be wary. For now, renovate for the longhaul and your personal enjoyment, not overnight sale. • Neighborhood style and standards. We’ve all seen it—the oversized addition that dwarfs the rest of the houses on the block, the $50,000 kitchen upgrade in a small home where a spruce-up for $10,000 or less would do. It’s important to know how your tastes align with what is salable in your market (see Remodeling’s “Cost vs. Value”, below). • Opportunistic buying and installation times for various projects. Take replacement windows, for example. Collect bids in mid-summer and recheck them in late fall—you’ll likely find significant savings on both windows and installation. • Available renovation tax credits on federal, state and local levels. Are there credits or tax incentives on structural equipment or appliances that can offset the cost of whatever you’re planning?
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your neighbors have done home improvements inside and out, ask if they’ll share their story. • Befriend a broker. Real estate brokers and agents are happiest when they’re closing deals, but they like to build long-term relationships, too. The best brokers are happy to share neighborhood renovation value intelligence in exchange for a house tour. They can’t sell a house filled with overpriced improvements. • Before major projects, consider a home inspector. A home inspector’s job is to determine if the structural and mechanical aspects of a property are up to code. If a home hasn’t had a structural or mechanical upgrade for many years, professional inspection may detect trouble spots and intermediate upgrades that could be far more valuable than cosmetic work. • Talk to a tax professional. Federal and state tax credits and deductions may be available as part of any project you do. The IRS has a current summary (www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/energyefficient-home-improvements-canlower-your-taxes) of 2014 energy credits and related resources. • Check your credit reports and scores. If you need to borrow to complete a project, it’s a good idea to check your credit reports and current credit score to determine whether you’ll qualify for a loan. You have the right to get all three of your credit reports—from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—once a year for free. You Entry door replacement was the top cost-return improvement to homes in 2014. can do so by ordering directly from www.annualcreditreport.com. projects were surprisingly small. • Potential effect on property • Talk to a financial planner. taxes. Could an elaborate renovation Any home improvement project is actually turn off future buyers thanks The top three 2014 home potentially major when compared to to higher maintenance costs and improvements in terms of what you earn or have in savings. A property taxes? cost return were: certified financial planner can help • Intelligence on recent purchase you evaluate potential projects against • Entry door replacement (96.6 prices and home features. Smart the competing financial goals in your percent cost recovery) homeowners keep an eye on recent • Wooden deck addition (87.4 percent) life like saving for retirement and your home sale prices in the neighborhood children’s college tuition. • Attic bedroom addition/ and the features—or lack of them— • Figure out what you can do renovation (84.3 percent) that made the transaction. yourself. Whether it’s painting, Remodeling reported that the value Now here’s where you can find landscaping, carpentry or electrical of remodeling projects began to slide some answers. work, helping with a few DIY finishing Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost nationally with home values in 2006 touches on a home improvement and only began to recover in 2013. As vs. Value Report (www.remodeling. project can save money. Just make sure home resale values rise, so will cost hw.net/cost-vs-value/2014/) has you have the time and skill to pitch in. recovery on incrementally bigger become a leading consumer resource Bottom line: Approach a home projects. As the publication notes, it’s for pricing improvements and cost renovation as you would any other a cautious environment. recovery nationwide, regionally and in major financial decision—do your major metro areas. The online format homework and see how it fits into allows users to compare project cost and For more detailed your overall financial plan. recovery at sale all the way back to 2002. While the nation’s housing market is generally in recovery, some of the publication’s 2014 top-producing
information, seek knowledge on a more local level: • Get to know your neighbors. If
Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
2015 Roofing Color Trends: Gravitating To Gray BY KATHY ZIPRIK
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
There are hundreds of shades of gray, in dozens of roofing material choices. (Photos courtesy of Davinci Roofscapes) an extremely popular choice,” said and design sense,” said Smith. gray—in all of its many shades— Smith, president of Sensational Color “Complex patterns, intricate designs, combined with warm neutrals, sets (www.sensationalcolor.com). “From mosaic tiles, embossed leather and the stage for people to personalize a embracing natural graying hair to decorated metals combined with home color scheme that is as unique topping off the house with a gray slate weathered or toned down bright as those who rocked the 60s. roof, it’s hard to go wrong with gray.” colors such as Frank Blue, Nifty “Refined and elegant gray is not The color trends forecaster believes Turquoise or Cranapple, visually help only accepted in today’s society, but that the introspective side of soul communicate our enthusiasm for life. searching by baby boomers is reflect“These are expressive and playful ed in them placing more value on colors, with a dash of bohemian and a their time, relationships and privacy. pinch of sophistication. Adding one of “A simthese confident colors to a pler palette home exterior area, like the of colors— front door or trim, can upgray, beige, date any home scheme and ethereal create a joyful feeling every blue or time residents come home. green The addition of a storm gray combined or classic gray polymer slate with deep or shake roof overhead caps brown or off this feeling of security black— and stability in the home give us the by uniting foundathe entire tion for exterior. exploring “Bringing ourselves together and the world around us from the many sanctity of our home,” said Smith, different who serves as a color consultant for textures and DaVinci Roofscapes. colors seamlessly—slate or shake-looking roof tiles, partial stone facades or perhaps copper accents—is one of the Mixing It Up ways this trend is influencing the look Smith, who authored the Fresh of home exteriors. Mixing materials Color Schemes for Your Home and works best when homeowners and Fresh Exterior Home Colors, e-books designers take into consideration the California Closets creates custom storage solutions for every available free from DaVinci, sees whole house exterior and its surroundtoday’s homeowners as having a room in your home. Visit our showroom or call today to ings while they work out their color “renewed sense of self” that instills a arrange your complimentary in-home design consultation. scheme,” said Smith. feeling of exuberance at living life. Visit www.davinciroofscapes.com “Whether close to home or around M A N H AS S E T 981 Northern Blvd. for additional color insights for the the world, a taste for the exotic and roof and home. 516.334.0077 californiaclosets.com unknown captivates our imagination 141556
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Thanks to aging baby boomers and their complete comfort with growing older, gray is expected to be the rising color of choice for roofs across America in 2016, as it has been in 2015. According to national color expert Kate Smith, with the youngest baby boomers now in their 50s, the generation that redefined traditional values is now making new rules for how homeowners live during the second half of their lives. The boomers, always seen as different from those who had come before, appear very comfortable simply being themselves. More grounded and balanced than they were as teens, the boomers are embracing “going gray” and doing it differently than their parents and grandparents. Owning the majority of homes in America and having the resources to remodel and redecorate means that boomers wield influence that has been unmatched by previous generations of seniors. Gravitating towards
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
SOME CHANGES ARE HARD, BUT AT LEAST
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23,031 New York Metro homeowners have trusted us. That means we understand the window and patio door problems in this area. And our installers are true craftsmen who will completely and thoroughly clean up after your upgrade is complete.
Andersen is the window that every homeowner wants. We’re the replacement division of Andersen, and our window is engineered to save you money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable.
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Cannot be combined with prior purchases, other offers, or coupons. Offer not available in all areas, 20% discount applied by retailer representative at time of contract execution and applies to minimum purchase of 4 or more windows and/or patio doors. Offer only available as part of our Instant Product Rewards Plan. Must purchase during initial visit to qualify for Instant Product Rewards Plan. 0% APR and no payments for 12 months available. Subject to qualifying credit approval. Not all customers may qualify. Higher rates apply for customer with lower credit ratings. Financing not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Interest accrues during the promotional period but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid in full within 12 months. Renewal by Andersen retailers are independently owned and operated retailers, and are neither brokers nor lenders. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only and all financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Renewal by Andersen retailers, under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender, all subject to credit requirements. Renewal by Andersen retailers do not assist with, counsel or negotiate financing, other than providing customers an introduction to lenders interested in financing. NJ Consumer Affairs License #: 13HV01541700. NYC Consumer Affairs License#: 1244514. Nassau Consumer Affairs License #: H0810150000. Suffolk Consumer Affairs License #:43991-H. NYC 1307704. Rockland County License#:H-11942-07-00-00. Renewal by Andersen of Central/Northern NJ and Long Island are independently owned and operated affiliates operating in the NJ/NY metropolitan area. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2015 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2015 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. 1
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
Foreclosure Legal Consultations October 5, 19
We Will Buy Back Your 1-800-FOURSEASONS Old Windows!^
The Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA) is dedicated to helping Nassau residents who are struggling with the prospect of losing their homes in mortgage foreclosure. Superstorm Sandy only exacerbated the situation. Fortunately, help continues to be available twice a month at the NCBA’s free mortgage foreclosure/Sandy recovery legal consultation clinics. The October clinics will be held Monday, Oct. 5, and Monday, Oct. 19, both days from 3 to 6 p.m. at the NCBA, at the corner of 15th and West streets, in Mineola, two blocks south of the bus and train stations. NCBA’s clinics allow homeowners concerned about foreclosure matters or who are already in the foreclosure process involving property in Nassau County, to meet one-on-one with a volunteer attorney for free legal guidance and referrals to other free resources, such as mortgage modifications, loan restructuring, bankruptcy, financial planning assistance, services for lower income households and emotional support. There are no income restrictions to attend the clinics. Since 2009, NCBA has held more than 120 clinics assisting more than 10,500 families in distress. Currently, each clinic is averaging 50 homeowners needing assistance. In addition to the volunteer foreclosure attorneys, homeowners may be directed to bankruptcy attorneys as well as other clinic participants
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including Nassau/Suffolk Law Services, NY Legal Assistance Group, Pro Bono Program of the Financial Planning Association as well as HUD-certified housing counselors from Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre and American Debt Resources. Attorneys also answer Sandy victims’ questions regarding homeowner, flood, property damage and automobile insurance claims; FEMA, debt deferral, consumer protection and landlord-tenant issues, as well as providing additional assistance from the Visiting Nurse Services of New York Disaster Distress Response Program, FEGS Counseling Services and Architects for Humanity. Bilingual attorneys fluent in Spanish are on site, and attorneys bi-lingual in other languages, including Russian, Haitian Creole, Korean, Chinese, Hindi and American Sign Language, may be requested when making reservations. Reservations are requested by calling 516-747-4070. Attendees are asked to bring their mortgage documents or other important papers and correspondence to the clinic.
($249 Retail Value)
WINDOWS THAT PAY FOR THEMSELVES 141484
^Buy back price on windows is calculated to a maximum of $200 per opening and depends upon size. Buy Back program is only valid in conjunction with the sale of an equal number of windows. *This will be treated as a 20% discount across all the windows. ∞ Free Nest thermostat is given at time of installation of windows, minimum of 5 windows required to qualify. ≠$95 per month offer based on a total sales price of $14,999 with $4,500 due at contract signing at 2.99% over 144 months. Loans provided by EnerBank USA (1245 Brickyard Rd., Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment terms vary from 24 to 132 months. Interest waived if repaid in 365 days. 16.51% fixed APR, effective as of May 1, 2015, subject to change. Nassau LIC #: H18F1080000 Suffolk IC #: 48604-H
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1-800-FOURSEASONS • 516-504-3673 ^Buy back price on windows is calculated to a maximum of $200 per opening and depends upon size. Buy Back program is only valid in conjunction with the sale of an equal number of windows. *This will be treated as a 20% discount across all the windows. ∞ Free Nest thermostat is given at time of installation of windows, minimum of 5 windows required to qualify. ≠$95 per month offer based on a total sales price of $14,999 with $4,500 due at contract signing at 2.99% over 144 months. Loans provided by EnerBank USA (1245 Brickyard Rd., Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment terms vary from 24 to 132 months. Interest waived if repaid in 365 days. 16.51% fixed APR, effective as of May 1, 2015, subject to change. Nassau LIC #: H18F1080000 Suffolk IC #: 48604-H
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
Always Use Caution With Backup Electricity house. Portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly.
generator, get to fresh air immediately. Do not delay. The CO from portable
Make sure a portable generator has proper ventilation. CO is an odorless, colorless gas. If symptoms of nausea, dizziness or weakness are present while using a portable
generators can quickly lead to full incapacitation
and death. If a portable generator is used
to provide power during an outage, use it properly. • A generator should only be used outside on stable ground and away from any windows and vents to prevent deadly fumes from entering the home through an opening. • Do not use a generator outdoors if its placement could allow CO to enter and build up in occupied spaces. • Make sure a generator has 3 to 4 feet of clear space on all sides and above it to ensure adequate ventilation. • Do not connect a generator to home wiring. Power can flow out of your home into the electric system creating a hazard for crews working in the area. • Never fill the generator with fuel while it is running or still hot, and don’t store gasoline in the home. • All appliances cannot be used at once. It may be necessary to turn off some appliances to avoid overload. And make sure any connected appliances are off before starting the generator. —Provided by PSEG Long Island
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Power outages and interruptions can be an inconvenience. PSEG Long Island crews work to restore all outages as quickly and safely as possible, however using backup electricity may be necessary. Generators are useful but they can also be dangerous. PSEG Long Island urges all Long Islanders to use caution and follow all safety and operational guidelines when using a generator. Generators should be used for emergency standby power only and for short periods of time. If it is necessary to use a standby generator, it must be installed and wired by a licensed electrician and meet fire underwriter regulations. The installer should brief the owner on all safety aspects of the operation of the generator. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock, electrocution and fire. Never use a portable generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed space. Prior to installing and running the generator, have CO alarms installed and tested throughout the
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
Plant Now For A Beautiful Garden Now And In The Future BY MELINDA MYERS
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
Don’t pack away that shovel and trowel. Fall is a great time to plant a few new additions in the landscape. Here are just a few ideas for adding immediate and long term beauty to your garden. Add cool season annuals like pansies, snapdragons, ornamental kale and stocks to brighten the fall garden. Consider adding cold hardy pansies. They provide color in the fall garden, survive most winters, and are back blooming in the spring just as the snow melts. Fall is also a good time to plant perennials, trees and shrubs. The soil is warm and the air cooler, so the plants are less stressed and establish more quickly. Select plants suited to the growing conditions and be sure to give them plenty of room to reach their mature size. Plant trees so the root flare, the place where the roots curve away from the trunk, is even with the soil surface. Dig a hole, the same depth
as the rootball and two to five times wider. Roughen the sides of the hole and backfill with the existing soil. Water thoroughly and spread a two- to three-inch layer of mulch over the soil surface, keeping the mulch away from the tree trunk. Follow a similar planting procedure for shrubs. Plant these so the crown, the place where the stems meet the roots, is even with the soil surface. And be sure to keep the mulch away from the stems. Plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs in fall for extra color next spring. Set the bulbs at a depth of two to three times Daffodils their height deep. Then cover them with soil and sprinkle on a
We Clean!
Arborvitae shrubs are a great evergreen and privacy option for Long Island gardens. low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite (milorganite.com). This organic nitrogen fertilizer promotes rooting without stimulating fall growth subject to
winter kill. Start planting spring flowering bulbs after the nighttime temperatures hover between 40 and 50 degrees. Be patient—waiting until the soil cools reduces the risk of early sprouting that often occurs during a warm fall. Those tired of battling the animals may want to plant resistant bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, Fritillaria, alliums, Camassia, glory-of-the snow, snow drops, squills and grape hyacinths. You may find it is easier to avoid the problem than battle the animals with repellents and scare tactics. Plant a few short-season vegetables in your garden for fresh-fromthe garden flavor this fall. Simply count the days from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that will mature and can be harvested in that amount of time. Leaf lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes and carrots are fast-growing,
see FUTURE GARDEN on page 9B
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
FUTURE GARDEN from page 8B
fabrics allow air, light and water through while trapping the heat around the plants. No construction is needed; just loosely cover the plants with the fabric, secure the edges with pipes, boards or landscape staples and let the plants provide the support. So be sure to get a jump on next spring’s garden
Floating row covers can be constructed simply with breathable garden fabric. cool-weather tolerant vegetables that make great additions to the fall garden and your dinner plate. Get these vegetables off to Radishes and carrots are a good start with ideal for fall planting. a side dressing of low nitroseason with a bit of fall gen fertilizer. planting now. Incorporate it into the soil prior Pansies are a hardy choice for fall. Gardening expert, TV/ to planting or radio host, author and columnist sprinkle a narrow band along the row Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of plants. This organic nitrogen will of horticulture experience and has provide needed nutrients without written over 20 gardening books. damaging the tender seedlings. Visit www.melindamyers.com for Extend the harvest season with the more gardening tips. help of floating row covers. These
Simple Steps to Keep Your Home (And Your Wallet) Safe Home and business owners are feeling the chill of fall, and some may have turned on their furnaces over these past few weeks. If your home or business uses propane to generate heat or run appliances, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your family safe and ensure that your home is equipped for maximum energy efficiency. Propane consumers can minimize the use of energy and maximize their families’ safety by properly maintaining their equipment and winterizing their homes to keep the heat where it belongs—indoors. Having a qualified service technician inspect and service your appliances and propane system annually will ensure that your appliances are running as safely and efficiently as possible.
In addition to servicing your equipment, the New York Propane Gas Association recommends consumers button up their homes as winter approaches by: • Getting storm windows in place and secure early in the fall
Checking caulking around doors and windows. • Checking insulation in the attic and basements • Sealing air leaks around openings where plumbing or electrical wiring goes through walls, floors and ceilings These simple measures can reduce energy consumption significantly, and make your home more safe and comfortable this winter season. The efficiency of propane also makes it an ideal fuel for water heaters, fireplaces, clothes dryers, and cooking appliances. Visit www.nypropane.com and www.propanecomfort.com for more information on the value and safe uses of propane.
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10B
HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
Emergency Preparedness Is Key To Surviving A Disaster BY DEBORAH RASHTI
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
Long Island was lucky to be spared when Hurricane Joaquin veered out to sea in early October. The devastation inflicted on South Carolina could have been ours. In August 2014 we had a 100-year storm. Flash floods appeared from more than a foot of rainfall in the Town of Islip and outlying areas. Just seven months earlier we had a polar vortex (with unusually frigid air), and earlier in 2015 we had pipe breaks from freezing temperatures closed down a hospital loading zone and a NYC street as well. Prepare yourself—the Farmer’s Almanac is calling for more of the same this year. What else do we need to witness, before we realize, whatever the cause— global warming or not— we are in a extreme weather pattern? If there was ever a time to take start taking precautions to protect ourselves, it would be now. One of the most common things victims of natural disasters say is that they believed disasters only happen
to other people, somewhere else. The truth is, we are all at risk. It is the precautions and preparations we take in advance that can minimize risk, damage, and loss before an event.
What are the best ways to prepare? Take pictures of valuables and file them on a flash drive in a safe deposit box, or in the Cloud where they can be retrieved easily should you need to refer to them. Do not cut corners on insurance—you get what you pay for. Don’t find out too late that you are not as covered as you thought. Keep emergency contact information handy and up-to-date. Local service providers such as electricians, plumbers, roofers, insurance companies, and the like are not set up to handle or service huge call volumes—so do keep your maintenance up-to-date to remain a customer in good standing. You want to be first on line after a disaster. Regular customers receive preferential treatment over cold calls. In a disaster, you will want to be at the
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top of the list. If you know that heavy winds are expected, secure outside objects around your property. A well-maintained property has a better chance of coming out of the storm with less damage. This includes keeping your trees properly pruned and branches away from your dwelling. If severe weather is According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the winter of approaching, definitely 2015–16 is looking like a repeat of last winter. make arrangements to evacuate if you are in a coastal area, with a plan for your pets. Book hotel reservations right away and inquire about the cancellation policy at the time of booking. Flooding is incredibly dangerous and fast—in mere moments you may regret not heeding evacuation warnings. Store up on extra supplies such as canned food, water, Photograph and inventory your valuables. bandages, antibiotic cream, prescription medicines and cash, in small bills and change. The last thing you want to do is pay $20 for a bagel because no one can make change during a lengthy outage, nor do you want to have to seek medical attention for a wound that could have been dressed properly at home, if only you’d had the sup- Have several days worth of nonperishables in the pantry. plies on hand. Consider asking your physician for a prescription for an extra month’s supply of medication so you don’t need to worry about running out. And finally, if you don’t have a generator, consider investing in multiple battery-opSeveral battery-operated camping lanterns can make erated lanterns from a nighttime without power, safer and manageable. camping supply store. Placed throughout emergencies, it is not worth the risk. your home, they can make living without electric lighting safer and Deborah Rashti is vice president more manageable. Candles present of marketing for SERVPRO of Great a documented high risk for fire. With Neck/Port Washington, one of 23 local firefighters busy with storm SERVPRO franchises on Long Island.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
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HOME IMPROVEMENT • OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015
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