34 APRIL 20 - APRIL 26, 2018 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP
2018 remodeling trends
that boost your home's value
A strong housing market is
giving homeowners the confidence
to invest in remodeling.
In fact, homeowner spending on improvements
and repairs will approach
$340 billion in 2018, an increase of 7.5
percent from estimated 2017 spending,
according to the Leading Indicator of
Remodeling Activity (LIRA) from the
Joint Center for Housing Studies of
Harvard University.
Remodeling can add value to your
home while also making it more livable,
but not all remodeling projects
are created equal. While the choice
to remodel is individual, there are
many studies that show some projects
return more on your investment than
others. Fortunately, some of 2018's
leading remodeling trends also have
great ROI.
Trend 1: Bathroom additions --
Adding a bathroom can add comfort
and convenience for current homeowners,
plus catch the eye of potential
buyers. A bathroom addition recoups
about 60 percent of the cost, according
to Remodeling magazine's 2018 Cost vs.
Value report.
A top trend in 2018 is adding bathrooms
to unique spaces, meaning not
letting existing plumbing limit your
options. This might include adding
a small powder room on the main
floor or adding a full bathroom to the
basement where there is no current
drainage.
Homeowners can get the valuable
bathroom addition they want without
cutting concrete or undermining the
structural integrity of the home by
opting for above-floor plumbing
features such as a macerating toilet
and drain pumps from Saniflo. The
Saniaccess3 is a smart choice for full
baths, and the Saniaccess2 is ideal for
powder rooms.
These compact systems can fit into a
closet, beneath a stairway or even be
built into the wall. When the project is
complete, it will look like any conventional
bathroom, but above-ground
plumbing options make it possible to
put a bathroom virtually anywhere —
even in the garage or outside. Learn
more at www.saniflo.com.
Trend 2: Home exterior updates
-- You never get a second chance to
make a first impression, and this is
true for houses as well. With this in
mind, homeowners are focusing their
efforts on the house exterior in 2018.
Some exterior remodeling projects
can be costly and time-consuming,
such as replacing siding and windows
or redoing landscaping. To get a big visual
bang for your buck with great ROI,
consider replacing your garage door.
The average garage door replacement
job cost is $3,470, according to the Cost
vs. Value report, plus it has a whopping
98 percent cost recouped at resale.
Want to take exterior upgrades one
step further? Consider replacing your
existing entry door with a new steel
option that matches your new garage
door. Your house's facade will be
completely refreshed, plus that door
recoups 91 percent of the cost.
Trend 3: Smart home upgrades --
You have a smartphone, smart watch
and smart TV; it only makes sense that
you also want to bring the convenience
of technology into your remodeling
projects with a smart home.
Smart homes have been trending
for some time, but in 2018 this trend
could reach a tipping point thanks to
wider availability and more affordable
options. What used to cost thousands
may now only cost hundreds, and you
might be surprised how many DIY
options you can now find at your local
home improvement store.
Some of the most popular technological
enhancements for the home
include smart lighting controls that
save energy and let you customize
lighting in every room of your home.
Smart door locks and security systems
are also valuable additions.
If you're looking for an affordable
way to enter into the smart home
market, consider a smart thermostat
or smart smoke detector. Technology
is bound to make your home more
comfortable and safe while boosting
the bottom line come sale time. (BPT)
5/5/18
/www.saniflo.com