Fall home improvement guide

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Fall Home Guide

Story Index Curb Appeal............................................................................... 3 Refinishing Wood Floors.......................................................... 4 Sicking to a Budget.................................................................... 5 Remodel or Move?.................................................................... 6 Preparing for a Remodel.......................................................... 7 Learn to DIY.............................................................................. 8 Business is Booming................................................................. 9 Tile Can be a Worthy Addition............................................. 10 What to do When a Project Stalls......................................... 11

Home Improvement Guide A special project of the Owatonna People’s Press 135 West Pearl, Owatonna, MN 55060 507-451-2840

Publisher Tom Murray Advertising Director Ginny Bergerson Media Consultants Rachel Goodwin, Lisa Richmond, Erin Rossow, Kyle Shaw, Autumn Van Ravenhorst Advertisng Design Nikkie Gilmore, Jenine Kubista, Kelly Kubista

Home Improvement Guide 2017 is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Owatonna People’s Press at no additional charge. Use of material without written consent of the publisher is prohibited. All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertiser. All rights reserved. ©2017

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Curb Appeal

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hink of curb appeal as your home’s first impression. In fact, the curb appeal of any home can help (or hurt) the property values of the entire neighborhood. According to the National Association of Realtors, 63 percent of homebuyers will drive by or schedule an appointment after viewing a home they like online. While you might not be in the market to sell, the “saleability” of your home should always be on your mind.

Improving your home’s curb appeal can be done in the following three steps.

An Honest Assessment

Walk to the street and look back at your house. What do you see? Take an honest look at your home. Take a notepad and pen with you.

Write down projects that need to be completed. It is helpful to distinguish projects you want to start, versus repairs that need to be made to existing structures or areas.

A Good Scrub Down

Dedicate a weekend to cleaning out the gutters. It is also important to examine the siding of your home. Is it in

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good shape? Pressure-washing house siding can strip away any green growth or mildew hanging out in the cracks — making it look bright and new.

Spray for any weeds creeping up the driveway or walkways, and sweep the front porch. Keeping your property clean is an essential aspect of home improvement.

A Gentle Sprucing Your entryway is always a focal point.

Make it stand out by painting your front door a bright, fresh color. Visit your local home improvement store or nursery and pick up potted plants and hanging baskets for the front porch.

If you have a large front yard, or own a home in a new development, consider planting a tree. Another easy upgrade to your landscaping is installing outdoor lighting.

Opt for budget-friendly solar lighting fixtures. They rely on the sun for power, which means no digging up the lawn to bury electrical lines. This also makes installation a breeze. Line walkways, highlight shrubbery and anything else that makes your home stand out from the crowd. © Fotolia

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Fall Home Guide

Refinishing Wood Floors F

looring is a hot feature in the housing market once again.

However, homebuyers are less enthused with new “wall-to-wall” carpeting and more interested in natural, hard surfaces such as hardwood floors.

If you live in an older home, it is likely that wood floors exist underneath carpeting. This does not guarantee they will be in optimal condition.

Removing old carpeting and restoring wood floors is a sound investment. You can expect a professional to take the following steps when refinishing hardwood floors. If you are feeling a confident burst of DIY zest, you can follow them yourself.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

areas and corners. (Drum sanders are big and round). The sandpaper should be the same grit level as the paper used on the drum sander.

Filling

Next, any gaps or cracks need to be filled. A wood filler that is tinted a similar color to the floor’s natural color should be used.

Sanding, Again

And now another round of sanding.

This helps to smooth over and blend the wood filler with the wood and is not as extensive as the first round of sanding. After the sanding is complete, the floors need to be both vacuumed Sanding and dry-mopped to catch any A drum sander is used to remove all remaining dust and debris. the old coatings of stain and sealer and

Finishing to level out any minor bumps in the The final stage is staining and wood. Sanding should always following finishing the floor. Usually two coats the grain of the wood. A professional will attach a bag to the sander so that a of stain are applied and at least one coat of sealer. Each application majority of the resulting dust will be requires an applicator resembling a caught and not end spread over every mop. room of your home.

You should wait at least four days Edging before moving any furniture back into Edging is a term applied to sanding the space. The floors will take a full 30 with a handheld edge sander — days to cure, so limit area traffic and frequently used to sand hard-to-reach the placement of rugs.

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Sticking to a Budget

t is easy to go over budget with home improvements, but with these easy steps, you can stay in the black.

edge certainly isn’t. It is smarter — and more budget-friendly — to know what you can handle and what is over your head.

Know What is Important

When to Hire an Expert

Know what is important to you and what is important for increasing the value of your home. Some projects see a greater return on investment, and certain projects will affect your listing price more than others.

It also is important to know what you value. Oftentimes mid-project, you will find yourself needing to make tough choices on materials or installation costs. Knowing what you are willing to compromise on will make this decision smoother.

DIY. Or Not.

Completing a home project yourself to save money may not necessarily be the best way to go. For example, if you don’t have the knowledge or experience, you could end up paying much more in the long run.

While your labor is free, knowl-

If you feel like a project is over your head, it is time to start looking for an expert. Be sure to get at least three quotes for each service you need done.

Remember that bids are about more than price. You should care about outcome, as well. Going with the cheapest bid doesn’t do you any good if the level of work proves to be less than desired. © Fotolia

Budget for the Unexpected

Pad your budget. No matter what you think something will cost, unexpected issues always arise, from a hidden pipe that needs moving, to extra shipping charges, to unanticipated permit fees. A safety net of 10 percent of your overall budget should protect you from overextending yourself.

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Fall Home Guide

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Remodel or Move?

efore you decide to move up to a bigger home or one with a more modern floor plan, consider remodeling.

A remodeling project can cause some short-term upheaval in your life, but a move also can be a disruption. Before you decide to shop around for a new home, consider talking to a contractor about how your home could be changed to better suit your needs.

Happy Remodelers

While homeowners often wait until they’re planning to sell to remodel, many report that they’re happy staying put after a major remodeling project.

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2015 Remodeling Impact Report, 64 percent of homeowners said they experienced increased enjoyment in their home after completing a remodeling project, and 75 percent said they felt a major sense of accomplishment.

“Realtors know that certain home upgrades and remodels can be beneficial to get more buyer eyes on a property, potentially bring in more offers or gain more equity from a home,” said NAR president Tom Salomone. “But remodeling projects are just as valuable to homeowners who simply want to get more joy out of their dwellings.”

Judy Mozen, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, said, “Remodeling projects can greatly improve both the value of and satisfaction with one’s home, which are great things no matter the reason for a project.”

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love your neighborhood?

When you bought your home, you probably researched taxes and nearby schools, parks and shopping, as well as less tangible items, such as a warm connection amongst neighbors. In short, you bought your home for a reason, and even if some of those reasons no longer hold true (such as sufficient space), a

good remodeling job could help you fall back in love with your once-beloved home. You have probably made many memories in your home. Speaking to a professional remodeler could help open your eyes to possibilities you hadn’t considered before, and allow you to stay put in your home and make even more memories there.

upgrades (95 percent), new wood flooring (91 percent) and You could find that a remod- converting a basement to a livel adds unexpected value to ing area (69 percent). Outdoors, your home. According to the Realtors listed top resale-value NAR report, Realtors listed the projects as new roofing (105 interior projects that yield the percent of project cost recovbiggest returns at resale as ered), a new garage door (87 hardwood flooring refinishes percent), new vinyl siding (83 (with 100 percent of the projpercent) and new vinyl winect’s cost recovered), insulation dows (80 percent).

Value Added

Thursday, September 21, 2017

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Preparing for a remodel

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remodeling project involves financial, design and logistics challenges. It can all seem overwhelming. That means it’s crucial to have a plan.

“The planning and researching phases of a project are the most critical steps in the remodeling process,” according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. “The more knowledgeable and prepared a homeowner is, the more they protect themselves.”

NARI offers the following tips for a successful remodeling project.

Research your project.

This involves looking for photos and information about completed projects you like. Reading about others’ experiences can help prepare you for potential challenges and educate you about the time and materials involved.

Plan for the long term.

Ask yourself how the project fits with your long-term goals. Are you planning to add to your family? Is there a potential move in your future? Answering these questions will help you make wise decisions about how to use your time and money.

Set your budget. Be realistic, and be sure to include all the materials and labor you will need. Be honest with your contractor about your budget, and ask for his advice about costsaving measures you can take.

Use advanced search for professionals. Read a remodeler’s online reviews and look into licensing, certifications, association memberships and other

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credentials. Look at the company’s online portfolio and see how it interacts with its customers on social media.

Ask the right questions.

NARI suggests asking remodelers about their education and training, whether they specialize in a certain type of remodeling and how they handle issues with clients.

Verify your remodeler.

Before you choose a remodeler, you want to be

sure you’ve done your homework. See if it’s possible to arrange a visit to a current job site. Double check his certifications and licenses with the issuing agencies.

Review contracts word by word. A remodeling contract contains language designed to protect you and the contractor. Be sure to read it thoroughly and ask questons about anything you don’t understand. Make sure you know how and when the contractor will be paid, how

change orders will be handled, how long the job will take and how additional fees and delays will be handled.

Keep design in mind.

Think about how the space will be used and how it could be made more useful. Visit websites to find design ideas and talk to your designer about what you like about a particular design.

Make your selections.

Making firm decisions about your project materials plays

a huge role in the project being completed on time.

Don’t always choose the least expensive material. Instead, consider value. Ask that materials be listed in the contract.

Create a communication plan. Communicating with your remodeler and vice versa is key to a project’s success. Work out with your remodeler how you will contact her and how often you will be in touch.

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Fall Home Guide

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Learn to dIY

very homeowner should have basic do-it-yourself skills. Learning to DIY can save you money on tasks from installing a ceiling fan to tiling an entire room.

Every home — whether newly constructed or a fixerupper — comes with a list of projects that need to be done. Americans spent $340 billion on remodeling and maintenance in 2015, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

If you are starting from scratch on home improvement skills, it’s important to know where to look for your education. There are likely a variety of free or low-cost options available both online and in your community.

Hardware stores

Hardward stores big and small offer in-store clinics where basic skills are taught, and you can even learn to complete an entire project.

You might find classes such as interior painting and drywall repair or beginning tiling.

Some stores also offer libraries of online DIY videos for a range of projects.

Local hardware stores can be a treasure trove of information. Not only will you likely find experienced home improvement pros behind the counter, but they also might be able to recommend

© Fotolia

systems, framing walls, roofing, heating and cooling sysOnline sources tems, electrical systems and Habitat for Humanity interior and exterior finishoffers its Habitat Learns pro- es. gram, a free online training Consider other online portal for its volunteers, to training portals that offer a the general public. Its wide range of courses from Residential Construction professional development to Basics series, recommended craft projects. Udemy.com for prospective homeowners, offers low-cost courses includes training on all of a (starting at $10) on topics home’s major systems, as such as patching walls and well as construction termibuilding a home automation nology and processes. Topics system. Sites that offer free include foundations, floor online tutorials include local contractors they trust.

knowledge at an affordable price. Classes are often offered on nights or weekends, making it easy to fit them in around your regular Local sources schedule. For small projects, Check with your local a one-time workshop might community college to see if a fit the bill. home improvement course is These courses are often offered. Many community taught by local home colleges offer non-credit improvement contractors, courses through continuing allowing you to benefit from education or community their expertise and make outreach programs. connections to local pros.

These courses are designed to provide practical RonHazelton.com, DIYNetwork.com and AsktheBuilder.com, as well as Pinterest and YouTube.

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Business is booming

f you’re thinking of remodeling your home, you’ve got plenty of company.

The housing and remodeling industries are booming, according to a pair of reports out in mid-2017.

Home improvement and repair spending was healthy and stable growth was expected through the first half of 2018, according to the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

According to the Center’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), annual increases in remodeling expenditures were expected to remain at or above 6 percent through the second quarter of continues to benefit from a 2018. stronger housing market and, “The remodeling market in particular, solid gains in

© Fotolia

house prices, which are encouraging owners to make larger investments in their

homes,” said Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies.

“Yet, weak gains in home sales activity due to tight inventories in many parts of the country is constraining opportunities for more robust remodeling growth given that significant investments often occur around the time of a sale.”

LIRA did project that annual increases in remodeling expenditures will soften somewhat moving forward, according to a news release.

In a separate study, the Center declared the national housing market fully recovered from the depths of the housing crisis. “A decade after the onset of the Great Recession, the national housing market has, by many measures, returned to

normal: housing demand, home prices, and construction volumes are all on the rise, and the number of distressed homeowners has fallen sharply,” the Center said in a news release announcing its “State of the Nation’s Housing 2017” report. “However, high demand and tight supply are pushing up housing costs and adding to concerns about affordability.”

National home prices finally passed the pre-recession peak in 2016, according to the report, and prices were up in 97 of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas in 2016.

The report also had an optimistic outlook on the coming decade, projecting that housing demand will soar as both millennials and baby boomers age.

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Fall Home Guide

Thursday, September 21, 2017

tile can be a worthy addition

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ile can be a worthy addition to rooms with potential moisture issues or areas in a home that may routinely necessitate quick cleanup. Because they are not damaged by constant contact with water, tiled floors and walls are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways.

Although tile is resilient, it is not impervious to the microorganisms that tend to proliferate in areas where moisture and humidity are commonplace. Microbes can grow rapidly in warm areas, especially if food is present. Mold or mildew issues also can become problematic seemingly overnight. But certain modifications can help homeowners alleviate the proliferation of microorganisms.

Various manufacturers have developed their own innovative tile that contributes to cleaner, and sometimes more eco-friendly, home environments.

The application of certain treatments can make ceramic tiles even more impervious to water and moisture. Some tile may help reduce the spread of certain strains of bacteria, such as E. coli and staph, without requiring the application of potentially harsh chemical detergents.

Others treatments may protect against yeast, molds and fungi that can cause stains and odors and result in the degradation of tile.

Antimicrobial products inhibit the growth of microorganisms and suppress their reproduction. For example, tiles

with Microban( protection employ an antimicrobial agent built into the product during the manufacturing process.

When microbes touch the product surface, the agent penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism. Other tiles are treated with micrometric particles of titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is activated by sunlight or artificial light.

This causes a photocatalysis process, which is responsible for the productճ antipollution and bactericidal properties.

Examples of TiO2-treated tiles include Active Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic*.

Antimicrobial ceramic tile can be advantageous in rooms where sanitation and hygiene are an utmost priority. This includes not only public places, but private residences. Worktops and floors where microbes can be transfered are particularly beneficial areas to install antimicrobial tile.

A potential side effect of antimicrobial tile is a reduction in reliance on harsh cleaning products. Although regular washing is recommended, residents may not need to use odoriferous or strong chemical cleaners to sanitize their homes.

This helps improve indoor air quality and reduce the potential contamination of the environment from chemical runoff.

Homeowners thinking of installing antimicrobial tile in their homes should discuss their options with a tile retailer or contractor during the planning stages.

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What to do when a project stalls

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pon embarking on a home improvement project, homeowners who have never before lived through such undertakings are often told to expect their projects to take more time than initial estimates suggested. Unforeseen complications can compromise project timelines, and some homeowners may find their projects stuck in neutral.

Stalled projects can make life at home difficult, and homeowners may feel helpless with regard to getting a project back on course. But there are ways for homeowners to get stalled projects back on course. % Start off on solid financial footing. It’s important that homeowners who want to upgrade their homes enter the home improvement process with a realistic grasp of their finances.

Many home improvement projects stall when homeowners run out of money. Homeowners can avoid such unfortunate situations by only beginning a project they know they can afford. Whether funding a project with a loan or savings or a combination of both, homeowners should make an honest assessment of what they can afford to commit to a given project. If the amount of money available does not add up to the estimated cost of the project, delay the project now or you might be facing a stalled project down the road.

• Honestly assess whether or not you can finish the job. Do-ityourselfers may have the abilities to complete a project, but they should not let their pride get in the way of their ultimate goal, which

is the completion of the project.

In addition to money, time or lack thereof, is often the culprit behind stalled projects. Homeowners with full-time jobs, families or both may not be able to find the time to complete a job in a timely fashion. If the project has been stuck in neutral and no sudden windfall of free time is on the horizon, start contacting contractors to finish the job for you.

• Ask for help. There’s no shame in asking for help to complete a project. Some homeowners may underestimate the scope of a project until it’s too late. Asking family, friends or neighbors for help might be the only way to get a stalled project back on track. Certain home improvement projects may not require advanced skills, and even friends or family with little or no home improvement experience can pitch in to complete such projects.

When more advanced projects stall, homeowners may want to hire contractors to complete the work.

If budgets have not left much room for hiring a contractor, homeowners can perform some of the labor on their own.

• Be mindful of permits. Some home improvement projects require permits, and these permits often have expiration dates. Homeowners must keep permits in mind when projects start to stall, recognizing that they may need to reapply for permits if projects go unfinished for especially long periods of time.

Stalled home improvement projects can be a nightmare. But homeowners can address such delays in various ways to get projects back on track. FH178262

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