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Show Page 2 aall pe BAH-- Y ER4LD Fri'ltf, lanpary 13, 1996 G Consider ihid'hovtiolfviprovemeht Top Ten; list Although I may lack the acd a small Canadinamed Paul, I do have an side-kijust as many ""bad hair days" as David LeQerman. I realize this is a minor detail, but nevertheless I feel it qualifies me to provide the reading public ile ck your potential saks price if you are planning on selling the home. Without further adku, let's take a look &t the results, in typical late- - with the following list That's right, I do have before roe an actual Top Ten list, compiled by my home office at Jamestown Square (along with the suggestions of various real estate agents, contractors, appraisers and a select studio audi- ence). Even as you read this column, thousands of homeowners are thinking about improving their homes for a v&ri ry of reasons. Perhaps they are planning to sell their home, or simply npgrsik and remodel their current borne. Whatever the reason, the following Top Ten List is likely to give you a few ideas, - albeit you won't find any reference to the "pasty white thighs'" or "McNugeets addiction" of a certain political figure. You'll have to continue to rely on Letter-ma- n Financing A Home night ascending order. Number 1 0 Lighting A gloomy, darkly lit home creates a poor selling atmosphere. Conversely, it can be inexpensive to obtain newer brass or attractive wood and glass fixtures that will create a modern look and lighten the mood, as well as the room. Number 9 . Organize The Clut- ter for those. You should be aware that there are two classifications of home improvements - those that improve the roarketability of the home, and An overabundance of furniture or mismatched decor can make a room appear smaller and less attractive. The homes on tour during such events as the Parade of those that also increase the Homes are great examples of how appraised value, thus increasing to avoid this problem. Everything How to select The Utah, Valley Home will Builders Association ansH'er local citizens questions on home ccms&vctkm in this monthly column. Please m' your questions concerning home construction, remodeling or repairs ia co: UTi-BSS9 S. Oram Blvd. Orrm, UT 84058 Q. My wife and I are now in rhe position of building our home. We own our kit in Mapietoa and have seen many local contractors homes ia construction. Can you give os guidance on bow to pick our builder?" H L, Springville. A. First of all. congratulations on making a very important decision - borceowTiershirj. For most of os, it is the primary source of a bowse hold's set worth. It is perhaps She sicck most important investrwent thai caa be made. Deciding on a builder is definitely one of the most important decisions to make in building a home. The Home Builders Association has compiled a fist of consid-eraiio- m to make when picking your builder. Visit year mortgage Joan officer or banker, and with their fcelp yon wiS come to a condoskia on the price range you can corMortahfy afford. Vis neighborhoods cf homes that fit ins V'cjt loaa range. Compile a Est of builders who build is this price range. Ask ycur neighbors, frisads and family for references of builders thai rhry have beea pleased with. The Home Maganise section of The Daily Herald provides information era "the tsaiisvihe type of home -- belongs. There is no clutter. Number 8 Front Door The entry to your home can set the tone for the rest of the house. A door with natural wood finish, leaded glass and brass fixtures can create a rich and tasteful first appearance. Number 7 Landscape Trim the bushes and trees. Plant flowers or lay sod. If you really get into it, there are many landscaping styles to beautify your home, such as wood or cement tree borders, rock gardens, tiered gardens, flower boxes, lawn orna.ients, and a multitude of plants, bushes or trees to choose from. This is a perfect example of bow curb appeal can make a dramatic affect on your ability to sell for the highest price, without necessarily increasing the appraised value. Number 6 Paint Paint the kitchen. Paint the bathroom. Paint the entire interior where necessary. Paint the shutters. Paint the exterior where needed. Worn or out-datpaint may not show on the appraisal, but often kills a sale. When painting, it is generally best to keep with neutral colors, with the same tones throughout the home. Let the furniture or wall decorations add the ed color. The next five categories are suggestions that not only improve the marketability of a home, but also increase the appraised value. Number 5 ... Windows, etc. Windows that offer a higher level of insulation would be an obvious choice. Ia addition, skylights, bay windows and atrium windows also increase the appraised value. Number 4 ... Patio, Deck, Spa All of these will increase the appraisal on your home, as well as offer added features to attract buyers, and set your home apart from the rest on the market. Number 3 ... Floor Covering This includes carpet, linoleum, hardwood floors or tile. Once again, the goal should be to keep the colors neutral and as light as possible. Number 2 . Bathroom This includes virtually everything in the bathroom, such as the tub, toilet, vanity, mirrors, lighting, shower and flooring. Number 1 ... Kitchen. In addition to the paint and flooring, kitchen improvements consist of cabinets, counters, appliances and lighting. It is not necessary to spend thousands of dollars if a simple "face lift" will .do - by resurfacing the counters and A misconception with home improvement is that your home' increases m value rwportionateljl to the cost incurred This is gener ally false. If you spend S5.0QQ t0i remodel your kitchen, the home does not necessarily increase in value by $5,000. Actually, the val ue is likely to have only increased by 50 percent of the cost, unless you do much of the work yourself, or avoid the higher priced fixtures. When deta raining the value of your home, an appraiser must compare it to at least three other homes that have sold in the past six months. These homes should be comparable in size and sty le of borne (ie: rambler, two story, split level, log home, garage or carport, etc). The total square footage above ground is given a much higher value that the square footage fat a basement For this reason, a home with 1 ,500 square feet and no basement might appraise much higher than a 1 ,009 square foot home with an additional 1,000 square foot basement However, depending on the layout of tir. home, and number of bedrooms, etc, the marketability of the two homes might be similar. If you need to finance your improvements, there are several options available. An equity loan, second mortgage, or refinance loan would work, assuming you have enough value before the improvements are made. However, if you need to use the the original contract An important misunderstaridings? the Were the subcontractors com- criterion for selecting a builder is equity of the improvements can help. FutureValue loan Plus fortable to work with? the warranty provided. Most repWould you as the owner buy utable builders back their own Mark Greer is one of the owners another home from this builder? warranties on workmanship and of Atherton Column How pleased were you with materials typically for one year. suggestions or ban questions are the quality of work as it was com- Make sure you understand this welcome at his office in Jamestown before you sign the contract. In pleted? or by calling Pwvo. Square, Did the builder fulfill the conaddition, warranty insurance is tract on time? generally available on major strucWere there cost overruns and tural work from general contrachow were they handled? tors who have a warranty Did the builder follow through insurance program. in a timely manner after the close Having a good working relaof the loan to finalize any remain- tionship with your general contrac1555 North Freedom Bouieva'd ing details or punch list? tor and his foreman will help the P.O. Boa 717. Prow, Utah Was the builder ethical and building process be enjoyable and were you satisfied with the go smoothly. After meeting with Tha Hour Kagarine ia published builder's business practices? the builder to go over the bid rry Friday by The Daily Herald When you feel comfortable with process you will have a good three to four builders, have them understanding of his personality Advertising give you a bkL Remember the low- and communication skills. GenerTo place cJassffied display ad est bid isn't necessarily the best ally all builders are professionals contact bid. Ail builders bids should be who enjoy their occupation and based on the same criteria; same desire to construct rhe high quality 5 Scon Murray specifkadons, quality of materials, home you want Make sure you 2 etc and the builder you pick work Echo Wrtght... Make sure you haw a copy of 6 together well. Rhonda Phare your contract. Have all changes Jimmy Zufeh is president of the 0 detailed on change order forms and Utah Vcdley Home Builders AssociCraig Shorts include any costs differences from ation. Frfctey prior to Dttdfew is noon. a builder for your perfect home they build. location and price ranges. Real estate agents know the neighborhoods and could direct you to. a builder who constructs 373-633- 10-ye- ar 5fe0fi!fy Hernia " On Building A Home homes in rhe styles you prcfer. kvestigaK the list of builders you have compiled aad are consid-crhs- g. Make sure the company is member of professional organizations such as the Utah Valley Home Braiders Association. Mem- bers of UVHBA subscribe to a code of ethics. Ask pasts c&et js of builders yoo are considering the following questions: Did the builder communicate well with you and were there any 6603-071- 344-252- 344-252- 344-253- 344-253- publication New floodlights introduced to the market By WOCHASDSH Oange Courtfy Register Tired of using landscape floodlights with ghat old black finish? Waal to try something different for the new year? Then consider fee cw, floodlight front intematk. For the record... it's . Ctesipiatrd ME- -. CL50SW and Jtsrs'at 20-a- a whhe-finis- ih 16 bu5. From the bottom of the retail price is $65.88. stake to the top of the unit, it meaThe third new light is a large, sures 13 inches. It has a suggested mushroom-st- y le unit The model retail price of S65L50. CL619W is to illuminate designed This new floodlight is one of larger areas such us borders, walkthree in white finishes being intro- ways and paths. Its suggested retail duced by Imermatic Another mod- price is $43 89. el is CL131W. Abo a floodlight, it Intermatic products are availfeatures a compact design so it can able through most hardware stores fit :HJ fihr qusrki7ts suggested and home centers. To pise rvnrs items contact KeviNnctorf To 344-256- 5 etotffied sd ca J73-445- ..Editor Kevin Norstorf. SeorULray.. EtfioWrt Css 09 Ss -.- .CassiW Account Executive cccrt Executive cheer! Markt to sm comp siona! home (subj other have Sc inclu that homi ; , listir Ir CM. com ath ing whi the . adj per of coi |
