You're all wondering if I got my shelves for Mother's Day, right?
Well, I'm happy to report that I did! So what if I accompanied my husband, Cliff, to Costco to make sure that he bought the right units and that they made it home intact? (Think of it as "together" time, honey). OR that I micro-managed the project from beginning to end as Tristan and his father put the new shelves together? OR that I had to physically drag our college-age son, Case, away from the televised Basketball games and throw a broom into his hand as he ignored my none-too-subtle pleas for assistance? (I love him, but I'll gratefully put him on the plane to Wyoming on Sunday as he heads to his summer job.) Eventually, my family managed to get everything off the floor of the garage and organized into clear bins that now sit neatly alongside the sleeping bags, paint cans, and lawn chairs that we've collected over the years. Would it be overreaching to declare that order has once again been restored to the Universe? (Maybe just a tad.) At least one of us in my household went to bed happy that night. (No, it wasn't Cliff and perhaps in hindsight, I might have been a wee bit controlling.) I guess the point is that each of us has specific needs and wants when it comes to a household and our own criteria for making it a "home." I need a garden, and Cliff wants a batting cage. I need to get the cars off the driveway and Cliff wants to keep ALL of his old outdated sports equipment. I need some semblance of order, and Cliff wants a nap . . . . (Sometimes, our "needs" and "wants" actually coincide.) Lucky for you Buyers, here in Piedmont, we don't live in a cookie-cutter community. If Mediterraneans are your thing, there's certain to be a Spanish style home that eventually hits the market. Ditto for Tudors, Victorians, and Brown Shingle Traditionals, which all sit side-by-side in our picturesque little village of one-of-a-kind family homes and estates. (It really is special here.) Occasionally, we will even be treated to a fantastic Modern Contemporary, as the fabulous spec-built home on Hagar displayed just last week (now pending!). If you are ambiguous or still uncertain as to what you really want, write out a "wish list" and then number each item's importance. You'll quickly find out what trade-offs you are willing to make - and what you are not. Then with information firmly in hand, you will be much more focused with respect to your next home purchase (and I'll have better guidance as well). However, if it's location above style that you seek (as it is for many Buyers) that's a reasonable, albeit more difficult, expectation. The available housing stock in the center of town tends to be slim and you will likely pay a premium for it, but if that's your undeniable preference, hold out. Understanding that every home requires some compromise, clarify upfront what's negotiable for you (sometimes, you may need to identify what won't work, before determining what will) and then follow the course. As long as you allow yourself some flexibility, with patience and with fortitude, you will eventually find the right "fit." Speaking of "fit," everything, including our two cars, now fits neatly into our garage! Maybe by Father's Day, Cliff will actually get his nap. (He more than deserves it!)
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"Your hair looks beautiful!" the assistant at DiPietro Todd in Walnut Creek, said to me last weekend, after a color, some highlights, and a professional blow dry. I'd rushed across town to make the appointment after a vigorous morning of volunteer gardening at the AIDS Grove in Golden Gate Park and the difference was dramatic. (Those talented hairdressers work magic and they are worth every penny!)
"It should," I happily conceded, "I spend a fortune on it." (Not that my husband needs to know that.) Regrettably, it's not just my hair that requires ongoing upkeep as I age - almost everything requires more maintenance these days (only my hairdresser knows for sure). Let's admit it, we all benefit from some general upkeep and ongoing maintenance from time to time. Not surprisingly, homes are much the same. Now that the sun is shining and winter seems to have finally abated, I have been busy hiring one handyman after another to help me whip our property into fine form (Cliff is a lot of wonderful things, but "handy" isn't one of them). The windows have all been cleaned, the bricks, power washed, and I currently have a painter at the house working on several items that require overdue attention. A tree company removed a very large and problematic Oak (I don't care how "majestic" they are, they're a mess). I've been pruning or planting every spare moment, the gutters are scheduled to be replaced, a new automatic garage door is the next item on my agenda, and I've asked my husband for wall-to-wall shelving in the garage for Mother's Day. (It ain't sexy, but it's organized.) There's never a shortage of chores "to do," especially after the BIG storms we all experienced as of late. Ah, the joys of home ownership! Still, as I check off each "done" item, I get a growing sense of satisfaction. These are gold-plated problems to be sure, but they need to be dealt with nonetheless. While I can't necessarily afford everything I'd like to do in the moment (One day I'll gleefully GUT the kitchen - heck, I'll take a sledge hammer to it myself.) I'm methodically chipping away at those items I can do, and I know that eventually I'll repair or replace the rest (just in time to start over I suppose). I am inspired by my current clients and friends who have spent the last quarter of a century restoring their magnificent Victorian here in town: www.55Craig.com. They remind me that these labors of love, don't have to happen all at once; that patience is a virtue. Hmmm, that one I haven't quite yet mastered. I have also had my share of Sellers who have unfortunately, let their homes deteriorate, and only when they contemplate bringing their houses to market do they finally address the long list of defects that now need immediate attention. (Oh dear!) They'll often need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to make their homes shine, and once having done so, they invariably ask themselves why they didn't improve their properties for themselves? (It's a fair question.) Right now, I'm lucky to be working with two sets of Sellers, both of whom have taken meticulous care of their homes throughout the years, which makes it so much easier to prepare their properties for sale. Rather than eradicating termites and fixing the foundation, their lists are much more manageable and include items such as polishing the floors, mulching the gardens, and editing their closets, as is appropriate. Not that they aren't working like dogs - THEY ARE (a strange phrase as my dog lives a life of complete leisure). Selling a home, even under the best of circumstances, is always a TON of work. But they aren't coming up against unanticipated and expensive repairs. Instead, they are staging their homes, primping their gardens, deep cleaning, and purging, as is appropriate. So get your Spring cleaning groove on, clear out the attic (no one wants that old highchair anyway) and touch up the chips on the exterior stairs. Make a list of items that should be addressed - sooner rather than later - and then check them off as time and money allow. Believe me, your diligence now will save you thousands down the road. Moreover, you will more likely retain your home's value, and realize the benefits while you are still living in the home, instead of someone else enjoying the fruits of your labor. A healthy home is a smart investment and I suspect you have worked hard to earn it. Now make sure your home stays in "fine form." Speaking of "fine form," I've got to run, BOOT CAMP is calling. There's always more maintenance that's required. Just get used to it and do the work. "You'll need to remove the wallpaper, replace the garage door, and repaint the entire exterior," my intrepid colleague matter-of-factly stated. "Also, it couldn't hurt to update the kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, stone counter tops and a new sink," she continued. "Oh, and what do you plan on doing with that hallway bath?" Ugh!
To be fair, I'd invited several people from my office over for an assessment of my home's recent remodel, aka: "current market value." I had explicitly asked my fellow Realtors to treat me like "any other client" and to their credit, they HAD! And while their frank and unvarnished comments came as no real surprise, given my own experience with such meetings, I hadn't realized just how brutal the process might actually feel from the Seller's perspective, or that it would sting quite so much. Oh Holy Night! Like many of you, I have carefully crafted my decorating style over many years and it has taken me countless trips to the flea market and endless hours with a paint brush to create an environment that is uniquely "moi." So imagine my discomfort when fellow GRUBB professionals assessed my "work product" in a matter of mere minutes and found it somewhat - uhhh, lacking? (At least at a Sunday Open, you're not present when Buyers do the same.) Never mind the many compliments; it was the solicited negatives that were tough to hear - if not downright painful! Unfortunately, if there's an easy way to tell Sellers that their homes would benefit from the trained eye of a professional stager, that they have too much furniture, that they need to put away the lopsided ceramic pots they received as Mother's Day Gifts, and that they should hire a professional cleaning service, I am still struggling to find it. (Even the kids' precious art projects? Yes, even those.) To which I can only say, "I am sorry to be so blunt. Now start purging!" Would it soften the blow to know that my advice is under laid with tremendous respect, for I know that the results you seek are largely dependent on my ability to be entirely truthful with you - if not always tactful? (It doesn't? Not even a little?) These observations aren't meant to be hypercritical (although they often seem like it in the moment). They are intended to bring you the best and most profitable response. "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices . . ." The fact is, I have yet to meet the Seller who doesn't want top dollar for their home. No one says, "Just get me whatever you can for the place; that'll be fine." So with that in mind, my goal is to orchestrate a plan that makes the most sense for you, displaces you the least (as if that were really possible) and meets your budget and time restraints. Short of moving you out entirely (and even then) selling a home is going to be completely, utterly, incredibly inconvenient and disruptive - not to mention an investment of both time and money! As such, wouldn't you like to know that my suggestions have proven to be successful time and again? (Whether or not you choose to take them, is entirely up to you!) So forgive my frequent intrusions, my not-so-gentle critiques, and my bulldozer-like suggestions and know that I too, have been reminded that our accumulated "things" represent an inventory of our lives - not just evidence of one's clutter. With great efforts and good intentions (a broom, a box, and a beginning . . .) we will eventually cross the finish line together. Geeze, I'd better get busy. According to my colleagues, I've got some tiles and a new bathroom vanity to order. "For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn . . ." "You don't suppose I could just quietly sit downstairs during the Open House?" my client plaintively asked. "I'd love to hear what people are saying." (Uh, no you wouldn't.)
It's not that I don't understand your desire or your inclination to be a "fly on the wall." After weeks of purging, cleaning, and preparing your now fabulous home for the market, it's only natural that homeowners want some well-deserved feedback. (Of course they do!) "Absolutely not," I replied, as sternly as any second-grade school teacher, as I handed them their bags and gently pushed them out the door. "You need to enjoy an afternoon OFF while I take care of the prospective buyers and their agents." The truth is there is nothing more off-putting to buyers than having the expectant sellers remain in the house while they walk through it. Take it from me, there's a host of good reasons why homes are sold via third party negotiators and why agents do their best to keep buyers and sellers APART until AFTER the property closes escrow. Once the property has transferred ownership, by all means, feel free to meet and discuss the drip irrigation system, the combination for the alarm code, and the wild turkeys that visit the property each fall. (Just don't do it before then.) The fact is that no matter how beautifully appointed your home, or how meticulously you have worked to make it darn near "perfect," the new buyers are very likely to repaint the walls, refinish the floors and start mentally tearing down walls. It isn't at all uncommon to hear them speak about "gutting the kitchen," "changing out the baths," and "ripping out the organic garden," even when - and especially if - the sellers have just put them all in! I have a very good friend who lives by the credo: "What other people think of me is none of my business." And from where I sit (guiding anxious buyers and sellers) I think it's a philosophy well worth embracing. No matter how much time and care you have invested in your spectacular home, it won't reflect the taste of the next buyer - nor should it (the home represents your life story - not yet theirs). It's almost a foregone conclusion that the new owners will move in and quickly start changing . . . just about everything. That leather-tufted wet bar downstairs you love - they hate. The floor plan that works so beautifully for your family - is problematic for theirs, and the views that provide unbelievable serenity - are way too far up the hill. Groan . . . (and that's just from my perspective). It's not hard to imagine just how well these "keen observations" go over with emotionally attached sellers who have recently spent a fair amount of time (and money) prepping and staging their lovely home for sale. Selling a home is emotional enough without overhearing these off-handed, "constructive" criticisms and remarks, isn't it? (Yes, it is.) Yet here's the essential element sellers need to understand (are you listening?): buyers cannot begin to place themselves in the home without these conversations taking place. AND what's more, they can't speak freely with you in the home. So do yourselves a favor and plan an afternoon at the movies, go shopping for your new residence or taking some well-deserved time off! (Trust me, I'll take it from here.) Kiss your house goodbye, wish me a successful Open House, and save your desire to meet the buyers until the day you hand over the keys and the remote controls. Take your memories with you and thank the house for all it has carried you through. If you can do that, you are bound to have a much better (and happier) result! "Can I help you find anything?" the hip, young salesman at J. Crew eagerly asked. "Yeah, you can help me find my youth," I thought as I beat-feet out of there. It took only a quick glance through the racks for me to realize that the J. Crew fall collection was NOT designed for my middle-age demographic.
First of all, there was nothing above a size four in the store, and second, there was nothing above a size four! The same can be said for the majority of other "women's" shops I visit these days that seem more suited to pre-teens than to any of the women I see or know. (Just who are they designing for anyway? Not me!) While I'm not yet ready to surrender to elastic waistbands and drawstrings, let's get real - the days of mini skirts and hot pants are well behind the majority of us forty (plus!) gals. With the rare exception of Jennifer Aniston, I find that looking good as one ages, is more and more about creative draping and skilled tailoring. Mind you, this isn't necessarily a size or weight issue, but candidly speaking, clothing tends to hang a little differently than it did when we were younger (and hadn't yet given birth). The truth is that no matter how well we women keep it together, there comes a point in time at which we should adjust our personal style and donate what no longer accentuates our best features (uh, that would be my ankles). With respect to "flaunting what you've got," perhaps it's time to pass this mantle on to a younger, hipper, braver generation (also known as our daughters)! With respect to Real Estate, there are moments in the heart of a deal, when I can literally hear and see my Buyers struggling with the "fit" of a home. They like the house, but they are not quite sure it meets ALL their needs. OR . . . they are in contract and have discovered unwelcome surprises that now make them uncomfortable moving forward. OR . . . they are worried the costs to maintain or remodel the property will be too great. OR . . . they're not really sure the East Bay is really the right move for their family after all - and so it goes . . . . There are a host of good reasons why a house that initially caught your eye, no longer "fits" the same as it did before and why the bloom has fallen off the tree. At which point, I want to assure you that whatever choice you make about moving forward or exiting the deal, it will be okay. However, if you want to see it through, even the most dire objections can be overcome with a talented architect, a skilled contractor, and some well-intentioned negotiation. Brick foundation? Yes. Lack of permits? Yes. Extensive drainage issues? Yes. Fear or paralysis? Probably not. The fact of the matter is, if you are squeezing into size four jeans - when you actually need a ten - the "fit" is going to suffer. Not that you can't fool yourself into thinking everything still looks good; it's just that maybe you shouldn't force the fit. If you have to "talk" yourself into a home, it's probably not the right property for you in the long run. Let it go and move on. As hard as it is to say good bye, there will be other opportunities and other homes that "fit" much better (I promise). On the other hand, if you decide to move forward - despite your initial objections - than you'll have to accept the "unknowns" on the house; "own" the decision and embrace the process. Have some faith, if you love the property enough, you'll work through the imperfections and take on the risks (hmmm, sounds a bit like marriage). In either case, understand that "the perfect fit" probably exists only in magazines - and even then, those multi-million dollar homes are professionally styled for days before the photographer shows up and points the camera. With no curtains, pillows, or miscellaneous items out of place, these architecturally, perfectly designed homes don't really reflect reality; they reflect our fantasies. Don't get too caught up in the "perfect image" - it isn't real. Speaking of reality, I'm off to the semi-annual sale at Nordstrom's -they're not exactly fashion forward but at least they have pants in my size! "I like the house," my client said, "but I wish we were both doing cartwheels over it. That would make the decision a whole lot easier." That's true, it would. I hear you - a back flip, a handstand, or even a small summersault might suffice. "Yoo hoo - this is the one!" Take it from me, it almost never happens like that.
Thinking about the five homes my husband and I have bought in the last 20 years, there hasn't been a single one over which either of us have enthusiastically jumped for joy (although we were thrilled to be in a position to purchase - I don't want to sound too ungrateful). The truth is, I didn't like any of them much and one house, I absolutely hated. From our first flat on Seventh Avenue in San Francisco, which was in real disrepair (a recurring theme), to our current home on Littlewood (which we bought for the setting, the garden and the gazebo - not the house), Cliff and I have never had the luxury to buy a "turn-key" home or to just follow our hearts. But to be fair, they all presented a "solution" in the moment and they all turned out to be profitable. Instead, we steered a course and followed a path - which eventually landed us here, in Piedmont (not too shabby)! However, every single home held tremendous "potential," which got me to thinking that most people don't really buy the home of their heart's desire - they buy the promise of a home; or the promise of what it can be. (Oh and btw, the same is true for marriage. We embrace the "promise;" yes?) But first it begins with a starting point. This is just as true for the $400,000 buyer as it is for the $4,000,000 one. As evidence, just look at the big, BIG homes here in town that are currently undergoing construction. One was recently rebuilt from top to bottom and rumor has it, that the new owner intends to gut it and start anew. (Really?) The point is, regardless of how much one spends, all homes evolve into what we want and need them to be with some effort and intention. They become ours over time, and often, they become better for it. A wise and wonderful friend summed it up when he said his motto in life is "expect good," which I love and wholeheartedly agree with, but mine would have to be "aspire." Aspire to goodness, aspire to kindness, aspire to dream . . . With all of the gymnastics the banking industry has experienced and the flip-flops that housing has endured these past few years, purchasing a home in today's world takes real courage. Instead of "jumping for joy," we are often asked to "jump through hoops." (What a drag.) So in the face of housing gymnastics and all that we risk, of course we want certainty. We want "value" and above all we want to know we have made a good decision. (Wow - that's an ambitious bill to fill.) No wonder buyers are often tentative and fearful. Who could blame them? (Not me.) Buyers are often walking a tightrope and yes, that can be scary, if not downright paralyzing. But here's what I've discovered along the way (just my two cents) - one can never buy a home in fear, one can only successfully complete this transaction in hope. You have to "aspire" to the dream of home ownership and then deal with each challenge as it arises (and count on it, there will be challenges aplenty). Whether you are facing a multiple bidding situation or you are alone at the negotiating table, you need to progress with belief and with faith or you will be looking for an "exit strategy" from the moment your offer is accepted. An experienced Realtor will help you outline the pros and cons, encourage you to thoroughly inspect the property, arrange for any specialists to weigh in with their opinions, outline a strategy for purchasing the home, and thoughtfully walk you through the entire process from beginning to end. But even with ALL that information to be gained, at the end of the day the decision to buy must be based on "hope" or you'll look back with regret. So how's the tale end? It's still very much a work in progress. My current home has come a long way in seven years and I like it a whole LOT better now then when we first purchased it - at very near the height of the market (no, you weren't alone). Still, it isn't perfect by a long shot AND I'm still "hoping" to remodel the kitchen at some future point. Curious readers ask me if I've finished the remodel? The truth is, "yes and no." I joke that "I'm out of money so I must be done" (at least for the foreseeable future) and that's the reality for most of us. Isn't it? That's okay, I've got time on my side. Still when I focus on the solutions, as opposed to the problems, I find the answers come. If I am not yet doing cartwheels, I'm warming up for them. I might even jump for joy a little. Expect good and then "ASPIRE!" I love the look of fresh mulch in the garden. Proudly surveying my hard work last week as I was obsessively preparing my home for the Piedmont Neighbors and Newcomers Annual Progressive Party, I suddenly thought, "mulch is the Botox of the garden!" (Profound, right?)
Hey, I know, that you know, that it's only ground cover, but that thick carpet of fresh loam makes all the difference in the world. While mini bark is a whole lot cheaper than Botox, it works pretty much the same way - it beautifully hides flaws and smoothes out the imperfections (um, not that I would personally know anything about that). And let's not underestimate the value of smoothing out the imperfections in the sale of a home - or of addressing minor flaws for that matter. I'm not talking smoke and mirrors here, just a little bit of effort, a good deal of muscle and some well-orchestrated touch ups! So aside from mulch, here's a list of some of my other easy suggestions for getting your home in good order and in quick measure, prior to marketing it for sale - or when having a hundred of your new friends over for sangria and wine (nothing says "organize and clean-up" quite like an impending party . . .) .
After all that gardening (and company), I could use a good manicure - and I am probably overdue at the dermatologist's as well. (At my age, I need heavy mulching. . . ). I'm falling back in love with my home once again. Thanks to a fantastic renovation that has virtually doubled the way my family utilizes our space, along with a sensational Spring bloom that has featured magnolia, cherry blossoms, lilac, dogwood and now two varieties of clematis that are prolifically climbing their way up the gazebo, I am actually quite smitten once again (our payoff after all that rain!). Even after viewing the "selected properties" on the CSL Home Tour last week, I still feel that I would rather come home to my house at the end of the day, than any other (warts and all) and that's pretty darn special.
That's not always how I feel about my "home-sweet-home," especially during the dark days of winter when heavy rains periodically flood my patio (too many pine needles blocking the drains) and the redwood forest I call my front yard has deposited 30' branches that require a hacksaw and some real muscle to access the driveway once again. With rubber waders and manual labor, Cliff and I manage to tackle most of these jobs in good stride, but the shortened days (I don't "get" Daylight Savings Time and never will) adds to the gloom and doom. During those times, I'm slightly less enamored and frankly, ready to sell. (Make me an offer - please!) Welcome to Home Ownership. It's a Love/Hate Relationship. Let's get real, no matter how wonderful one's home, owning (as opposed to renting), isn't always a "bed of roses." No one enjoys paying property taxes for instance (%^##^!) and spending hard-earned dollars on improved drainage or a new roof can hardly classify as "fun." When you rent, a clogged sink is the landlord's problem - not yours. But when I am entertaining on my patio on a balmy evening while hosting a birthday party for my mother, and the twilight is filled with the scent of night jasmine and lively conversation, I can hardly imagine being anywhere else - and therein lies the magic! I'm not a "Pollyanna" by any stretch of the imagination - I am actually quite pragmatic by nature. Given our limitations, my husband and I have bought every home with an eye towards "value" first and foremost. We've had to. In fact, it's taken Cliff and I many years to get to the point where we could begin to create the home we envisioned when we first purchased our current property several years ago. It hasn't been a quick fix (a promise I made to Cliff when we "stretched" to buy a home we could barely afford at the time) but it's been rewarding just the same. Like many of you, we didn't factor in the economic meltdown or "softening" values, so by circumstance and timing, I have had to adopt a completely new philosophy about home ownership and here it is: "A home doesn't have to pencil out - at least not in the short-term." That's a fairly radical statement for a girl who bought, renovated and sold four homes in the space of twelve years to get to the bigger, better "prize." But with hindsight, I've abandoned that concept in favor of stability. Bigger isn't necessarily better, and all of us have learned that living within our means is a very good idea indeed. And here's the real reveal . . . had I sat on the very first flat Cliff and I purchased in San Francisco (when we were young newlyweds) we would have reaped the same rewards with respect to appreciation, without the dust, inconvenience and higher property tax base we have accumulated along the way. (What a concept!) As it turns out, TIME is a homeowner's best friend. So I am done moving and I am staying put (at least for now). Rain, or shine - bring it on. I am finally learning to accept my home - flaws and all (my husband too!) - and I'm appreciating the fact that we have earned every square inch of it (and then some). I know eventually, I'll get around to addressing some of the imperfections (or I won't) and that's okay too. I'm truly grateful in the moment. In the meantime, I am building memories in a community I love and that value, may just be immeasurable! What's Happening? Unbelievably, interest rates have dropped again! If you missed out on the re-fi boom earlier this year, jump, jump, JUMP to it. With the price of gas moving UP (I knew I should have bought that Prius last year) why not take advantage of rates that are adjusting down? At least that's within your control. www.lasallefinancial.com A thick white powder has crept its way into every corner of my home. Every surface, every dish, and every article of furniture and clothing is coated with renovation chalk. (Ugh!) I'm tempted to write "dust me" on the piano but what's the point? I've given up (or is that given in) to the mess that was previously my sanctuary. Now it's just plain frightening!
The drywall crew took up residence last Monday morning and there's no keeping up with it. You'd think that after five previous home renovations, I would remember how horribly inconvenient the remodeling process is - especially when I've physically lived through each one of them - but I've conveniently blocked it out - kind of like childbirth (also an extraordinarily unpleasant process to my way of thinking.) Having come too far to turn back, there's nothing for my discomfort, but to close myself off in my dusty bedroom, under my dusty blankets, and bury myself in a dusty book . . . At least there's a light at the end of the tunnel. With hardwood floors now being laid and tiling currently underway in the bathrooms, "Phase One" of the renovation should be completed within the next few weeks and some small semblance of order may be restored at long last. (Whew! Just in the nick of time. I don't do well with chaos which means I make life miserable for those around me.) So while this is all very fresh in my mind, let's break down the "Dos" and especially, the "Don'ts," of remodeling so that you can learn from my OH SO painful experience . . . DO remodel if you love your street, your neighbors or your site. If your location is irreplaceable or one-of-a-kind, you are a good candidate for a renovation vs. a move. DON'T remodel if no matter what you do or how much money you spend, the house next door (with its overgrown lawn and wintering boat) is forever going to be the bane of your existence. No matter how beautiful your home comes out, you won't be able to control the neighbor next door and you'll never be completely happy. DO remodel if your marriage is healthy and your kids are young enough to enjoy the results. We have a really short window of time with our children as it is. Why add displacement to the mix? DON'T remodel if the kids are in high school (wait until they leave), your marriage is on the rocks, or "indecision" is your middle name. Life is stressful enough. DO remodel if you don't like paying for other people's taste and find picking out finishes, fixtures and lighting much more exciting than picking out a Holly Ball gown (I LOVE the flea market and hate dress shopping.) DON'T remodel if the mere thought of walking into a Home Depot, a plumbing supply store or a window showroom is overwhelming. There are a thousand and one decisions to be made with a remodel (and I'm not kidding.) DO remodel if you have a trust fund, have access to hoards of cash, or are heirs to a large fortune (a small one won't do it). Absent that, a very ample home equity line is key! DON'T remodel if money is tight. Renovations notoriously run over budget - not because contractors take advantage - but because one never knows what is behind the walls until they are actually opened. Even pleasant surprises are going to blow the budget! Believe me, you are going to want to take advantage of them. (We found four extra feet behind my son's closet and an extra foot and a half in the ceilings. Grateful? Yes. Expensive? Yes!) DON'T remodel if you expect the project to "pencil out." It's very likely that it won't. Even the very best renovations of bathrooms and kitchens don't return 100% of their investment. Renovate for your own enjoyment, but if you expect a decent return, keep the design choices fairly neutral. Metallic tiles date a home very quickly. White honed marble is timeless. So to sum it up, DO remodel if you have a vision for your home, a gifted architect, a reliable contractor, you love your present location, have a desire to stay put, have the wherewithal to pay for the construction, married a supportive mate, have flexible children, can overcome the clutter, and possess the personality to overcome the challenges. If that doesn't describe your situation, let me help you find a new home - one that someone else has gone to the trouble to remodel for you! Now if I can only save up enough money for "Phase Two . . ." (See, I'm already forgetting - I suppose that's why I had a second child too!) "Your windows are set to arrive on Thursday," my contractor, Benny, said to me.
After months of gloomy, rainy winter construction, I was finally going to see the new downstairs rooms without boards over the openings. Cliff and I hadn't originally planned to replace our windows but the unexpected discovery during demolition that the ceilings were actually a foot and a half higher than we thought, meant that our home's original windows were really too short for the new family room and bedrooms now underway (plus they were single-pane. Yikes!). Having gone back to Design Review for approval, and then mandatory neighborhood input, had cost our project a month, and manufacturing the casement windows had added five weeks more. In the meantime, our job site had essentially been shut down while Benny took his loyal band of merry men and "filled in" with smaller projects. Now, we were - at long last - back on board and the beautiful, new, TALL, wooden windows would be installed by Friday. Let there be light! As a "serial renovator," I have learned that home construction projects are always full of unexpected surprises. In this case, the added height was a positive - as was the extra three feet behind my sons's previous closet space (although the added expense was not)! Still, with windows in place, and inspections signed off, we were finally in a position to start closing up walls and laying floors. This is when it gets really exciting! You would think that after four previous home renovation projects, I'd have the construction process down pat AND be able to anticipate the "unknowns" with more precision, but I don't. The truth is, that until the demolition is complete, it's virtually impossible to know what will actually reveal itself behind walls and in ceilings. I learned long ago that if I stay open to the journey, these unexpected "surprises" aren't mistakes - they are often opportunities. What's more, I know that it is completely appropriate to refine as we go! I like to remind buyers that the house-hunting process is essentially the same - we refine as we go. My colleague here at The GRUBB Co, Karen Starr, sums it up beautifully when she compares house hunting to solving a Rubik's Cube. "It's a matter of shifting, shifting, and shifting until click, it all falls into place!" (She's right, of course.) None of the "rejected" properties are wasted; each "nonstarter" helps carve out the ultimate destination and helps me refine your search criteria as well. So while you refine, I adapt in response. The more feedback I receive, the better I am at directing you toward appropriate choices. Now that the Spring Market is upon us, it is once again time to start sharpening those Rubik Cube skills and putting them into action. This is where the Sunday Opens really come into play in a way that online shopping can never replace (not that the INTERNET isn't an incredibly useful tool). So dust off your shoes, pull out your maps (does anyone actually use old-fashioned maps anymore with the advent of GPS and Google maps?) update your mortgage pre-approval letter and get out there. (I will happily send you a Sunday Open Home Guide each week to guide you on your journey.) Until you personally place yourself in the homes, walk through the rooms and envision your lives there, you will never be able to feel the all-important "click!" When you do, it's as if the boards were removed and new windows suddenly appeared. Let there be light! |
AuthorJulie Gardner, has been writing The Perspective for 18 years and has published more than 750 humorous but always informative, essays on life and real estate. Categories
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