OUR BLOG
OUR BLOG
Check out what’s happening with Myers Constructs as well as the latest news and trends in home renovation.
Invest and Enjoy: A New Perspective on Home Ownership
I recently spoke with one of my realtors, Janice Manzi, at Elfant Wissahickon. We were discussing our shared experiences with home renovations, and buying and selling homes. Janice shared with me that home sellers are often told by their realtors to spend at least 5% of the home's value on fix-up items in order to attract a buyer in this tough market. She explained: "So they'll spend 5% to sell the house, but they spent how many years living there suffering with it? Why not invest 10% in improvements, instead, and just enjoy living there?" Or, as the teenaged son of one of her home sellers put it, "I lived with that crappy bathroom for 16 years, and NOW THAT WE'RE MOVING you're going to fix it!?" We're seeing a lot of this in the home-improvement industry. People with home equity are putting some of that money back into their[...]
The Price of Home Renovation: What People Are Spending
More and more, we see homeowners who are investing in their homes because they plan to stay there for the long haul. They want to enjoy living in their homes while they are there, and they see that the investments they make now will lead to an easier sale in the future when they decide it's time to leave. If you fall into this category, knowing what other people are investing in their homes will help you make good decisions about what to spend on your own. Make no mistake: cheaper is always going to look cheaper — both to you and to the future buyers of your home. And do not default to "builder beige" just because you think that will improve your home's future value. It doesn't. And this isn't about resale value. It's about investing in your property so you can enjoy it. When the time does[...]
A Few Thoughts on Brands and Quality
Over the weekend, I spent some time visiting with friends who had recently moved from Doylestown, Pa., into a newer home just north of Baltimore. Their new abode, which is about 10 years old, features a really deluxe kitchen with a giant copper-cladded hood over a huge island cooking station, among other niceties. There are also beautiful handpainted murals all over the house and a very nice entertainment room in the basement. My friends love their new place. And they had some valuable feedback for me, as a remodeler. The old kitchen appliances had all failed and been repaired several times. As a result, these homeowners have no confidence in the brand now. Their new Thermador appliances are bulletproof and work great. I have seen the quality of Thermador Appliances firsthand because we have remodeled many 30-40 year old or older kitchens that contain them — still in great condition.[...]
Why Your Roof Leaks
Here is a great simple primer on roofing details that work and those that do not. As it is with many things, the KISS principle is usually best when we are talking roofing. These are good pointers to know now, as we enter winter with it's ice dams and curiously uphill flowing melt that lead to leaks. If your home's roof has these problematic roof details, understanding their issues means you can keep an eye on them and be prepared with good knowledge for when repairs are needed. They will be needed! Martin's 10 Rules of Roof Design
Don’t Need a Full Remodel? Consider a MiniMakeOver™
Most people call us for full-service kitchens, bathrooms, whole-house makeovers or additions. But what you may not realize is that we offer another option: the MiniMakeOver™. While these projects vary widely based on individual homeowner needs, they can include the following: Swapping out dated sinks, countertops, fixtures, toilets and cabinet hardware with new, long-lasting items that won't look dated in just a few years Freshening up paint and wallpapers Installing new, stylish lighting Installing new flooring, appliances, and the new backsplash tile you always wanted Refinishing/repainting cabinet doors, and reinstalling them with new handles and knobs Typically, these projects are appropriate for newer homes (built in the 1980s or later) or in a room in an older home that was renovated to code during the past decade, but is now looking a bit dreary. (Note: It it wasn't done to code, you have to get into pricey systems corrections.) Symptoms[...]
Let There Be Light(ing)
Niche Modern is one of our favorite lighting vendors. For a limited time, you can take advantage of the great sale they're having, and we can tie your new lighting into a beautiful overhaul of your favorite room. Call us for details.
Happy December! Time to Start Planning for 2012
While you're busy preparing your holiday celebrations, entertaining and travel, it's the perfect time to take a closer look at your home and plan for the renovation projects that need to be tackled in the new year. We don't know a better way to cure the "winter doldrums" than to breathe new life into a space that you use every day. Instant quality-of-life improvement! Call us today to discuss your needs. We'll be happy to create a 2012 plan for your home.
Futuro House
Mark Gisi of Tabula Creative tabulacreative.com/ sent me this video link about the Futuro House, after we saw one in person in Greenwhich NJ on one of our recent exploration trips. video Needless to say that was a surprising sight in the middle of the flat farming country, 1600's colonial houses and bay views of South Jersey! That's Mark peeking inside the Futuro through the missing hatch. We saw these other fiberglass pod like structures on the same lot at Hancock's Marina. If anyone knows what these are called please let us know!
Check out our new Buyer’s Guide.
We've created a Buyer's Guide, and encourage visitors to check it out. You can find it under the ABOUT US drop-down menu just beneath the banner on any page, or click here.
Fireplace Season Begins — Are You Prepared?
Chilly evenings call for cozy fires. It's just that simple. Is your fireplace in good working order? Do you have a supply of seasoned firewood in place? This is a good time to consider installing a gas or wood-burning insert, as they can help to keep your home toasty and save on other heating costs, as well. Call us for help!
