Sumner Real Estate April.indd
Transcription
Sumner Real Estate April.indd
APRIL real estate 2014 SHOWCASE OF SUMNER COUNT Y quick fixes for big improvements around your home inside make sure your new home is ready for tornado season relocate your stress... hire a professional interior designer inside 2 Real Estate Showcase of Sumner County what happened in the housing market last month... and why By MELISSA LUMANPHILLIPS Last month’s economic reports showed a mixed bag of news. In the housing market, Existing Home Sales in February fell from January and came in 7.1 percent below last February. The National Association of REALTORS® cited the unusually harsh winter weather, tightening of credit and higher home prices as the cause behind the stagnant sales data. The harsh weather was also blamed for the weak Housing Starts reading for February, which declined for the third straight month. In addition, the National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Market Index came in at 47 for March. Readings below 50 indicate that more builders view conditions as poor, rather than good. On a positive note, Building Permits, which are a sign of future construction, surged by 7.5 percent. It will be important to see if readings improve once the weather becomes milder around the nation. In other positive news, research firm CoreLogic reported that home prices in January rose compared to last January and marked the twenty-third consecutive month of year-over-year price gains. After falling for two months, Retail Sales rose above expectations in February, as consumers purchased a variety of goods despite the harsh winter weather. This is important because Retail Sales make up about one-third of consumer spending, which is the main driver behind economic growth. If consumer spending can continue to expand, economic growth could go beyond the recent 2 percent levels we have seen the past few years. This will be good news for our economy. Finally, the Consumer Confidence Index rose in March to come in well above expectations and at the highest level since January 2008. Americans surveyed were more positive on future job prospects. After all the reports, the bottom line is that now remains a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance, as home loan rates remain attractive compared to historical levels. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you. What do political tensions have to do with Bonds and home loan rates? We live in a global economy. That means bonds and home loan rates aren’t only impacted by financial news on the home front, but also by news from across the pond. What’s happening? Last month, tensions in Ukraine heated up after the U.S. intensified sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle in an ef- fort to pressure his government to back off annexing the country. The U.S. sanctions ban certain individuals from entering the U.S., freeze any personal assets they may have in the U.S., and bar them from doing business with any U.S. company or financial institution. Why does it matter? Negative news and uncertainty often benefit Bonds – and, therefore, home loan rates. Here’s why: Whenever we have positive economic news, investors tend to put more money into Stocks. That’s because Stocks are more risky, but they generally offer higher returns. To do this, however, investors must remove some of their money from less-risky Bonds. This includes Mortgage Bonds, the type of Bonds on which home loan rates are based. This decreased demand in Bonds causes Bond prices to worsen, which causes home loan rates to rise. Inversely, when the economy is sluggish or when there’s uncertainty in the world, money managers tend to remove money from higher-risk Stocks and put it into less-risky Bonds. When that happens, the demand for Bonds increase – which means Bond pricing and home loan rates improve. What does this mean? If tensions escalate, we could see Bonds push higher, meaning home loan rates improve. Exactly how Bonds react may be tempered by other economic news stories. I will continue to watch global developments to see how they impact Bonds and home loan rates. Melissa Luman-Phillips is a senior mortgage loan originator at Reliant Bank Mortgage Services and can be reached at 711 East Main St, Ste. 105, Hendersonville, TN 37075. Direct: 615-590-6407; Fax: 615-537-3302; Cell: 615476-6099. Reliant Bank NMLS# 430177; Personal NMLS# 171023. www.ReliantBankMortgage.com “The WBT Guarantee” 9 Loan Decisions in 3 Days 9 Close On Time 9 No Surprises Member FDIC Conventional • FHA • VA • THDA Construction • Rural Development March 2014 3 Make sure your new Hendersonville home is ready FOR TORNADO SEASON By STEVE ERNST Now that spring is well under way in Middle Tennessee, we’re starting to see warmer weather, blooming flowers, and the allergies that come along with them. Those aren’t the only hallmarks of spring in the South, though – homeowners are also starting to brace themselves, hoping there won’t be a wave of tornadoes and severe storms that could cause major damage to their homes, lead to big insurance claims, or injure their loved ones. We’ve had our fair share of storms in recent years, including deadly tornadoes and historic flooding in the Nashville area. When you’re picking a place for your family to live, you’re no doubt concerned not only about having a comfortable place to enjoy now and years into the future – but also having a home that will keep everyone safe and secure in the event of such dangerous storms. Peak tornado season in the South is generally from March through May, so we are right in the heart of it now, and as we all know from years past, severe weather could wreak havoc at any time. But if you take some steps now – whether you already live in your new home or are in the process of building – you can be sure that your home is as safe as it can be in the event of a tornado, flooding, or other severe weather. 1. Consider a generator: You can get a small portable generator, fairly inexpensively, that can be used to keep some basic necessities running during severe weather. However, if you’re willing to spend a few thousand dollars on your generator, you can install an automatic standby generator that will kick on when the power goes out. It must be connected by a licensed electrician, but will prevent food from spoiling, keep a sump pump from flooding your home, and keep air circulating to avoid mold growth. Installing such a generator may also save you money on your homeowners’ insurance. 2. If you are building or buying, make sure your home is constructed with the proper fasteners that meet the current building codes. If you are in the process of remodeling, take the opportunity to have areas reinforced with proper fasteners to strengthen your home. Although you may not need to comply with the current code requirements on the rest of your house, this would be a good time to do so. 3. Select quality windows: some newer glass is even impact-resistant, making it much less likely to shatter in a severe storm. Go for the strongest windows you can find when building a new custom home, or consider updating your existing windows. 4. Plan trees very carefully: On the one hand, tall trees around your property create a natural windbreak if high winds come up and threaten your home. On the other hand, they can create another hazard if they’re not properly maintained. Consider removing trees that are close enough to fall on your house in the event of strong winds. Be sure to trim trees and remove broken branches when the weather is calm, and clean your gutters so that they’re not weighed down by leaves if they have to handle a lot of rain. 5. Choose the right insurance: Most homeowners’ insurance doesn’t automatically cover flooding or sewage backup, but you can add these to your policy. Plan for both when you apply for insurance for your new home. Flood insurance takes some time to kick in, so planning ahead could save you a headache in the event of a flood right after you move in. Be sure you also create an emergency fund to pay for anything your insurance doesn’t cover, or to help pay your deductible. And don’t forget to keep an updated inventory with photos of everything in your house in case you need to file a claim. You can keep it in an email folder or a cloud-based server for easy access from anywhere, so you don’t have to worry about filing paperwork or keeping a computer safe. 6. Consider a storm shelter: Many families in Tennessee are now opting to install a storm shelter in their home, rather than relying on an interior room or closet for protection. You can have an underground shelter installed in your backyard, or add a fortified closet, known as an “in-residence shelter,” to the interior of the home. There are extra precautions you can take inside the home as well. Put together an emergency kit with a battery-operated radio, flashlight, and extra batteries. Prepare for storms with extra groceries, especially nonperishables, and bottled water. Look into purchasing a NOAA Weather Alert Radio or signing up for alert services such as The Weather Channel’s at weather.com/notify. Learn how to turn off the electricity, gas and water to your house and do so before leaving the house in a storm. Remove loose items like gardening tools in your yard, and don’t store flammable or hazardous materials under the house. Whether you’re buying an existing home or building a new, custom house, taking steps to protect it from the day you move in will ensure that your home stays a safe haven for a lifetime. Steve Ernst is the owner and president of The Ernst Group, LLC, doing business as Arthur Rutenberg Homes Nashville, an award-winning custom homebuilding company offering more than 80 home designs in luxury communities or on owner lots. For more information, visit arthurrutenberghomes.com/nashville or call 615-822-1727. 4 Real Estate Showcase of Sumner County 1. Gradually introduce the concept of moving. Moving is a decision to be discussed with the whole family, even with young children who may not fully understand the process. Kids who are involved in looking at new homes or voicing opinions about which amenities they desire in a new neighborhood will feel empowered and in control. 2. Research potential new neighborhoods carefully. Finding a new residence is not entirely about buying a home that fits the family and its needs. It also is about finding a desirable neighborhood and community. A good school district is an important factor, as is proximity to recreation, local culture and transportation. Drive around a neighborhood during different times of the day to gauge how active it is. Investigating businesses in the area can also help gauge the personality of a given neighborhood. 3. Work with an experienced agent. A real estate agent who is familiar with a variety of communities is a great asset. A buyer’s agent will find homes and negotiate on the part of the buyer, having your best interests in mind. Because the agent will be paid a commission on a portion of the sale price, which doesn’t come out of your pocket, it is in the real estate agent’s best interest to help you find a home you can call your own. In addition, the agent will handle many of the tasks that may be overwhelming if you were doing them on your own, such as scouring available listings, waiting for inspections or filling out pertinent paperwork. With a real estate agent handling these tasks, families can remove some of the stress from the moving process. 4. Pack children’s rooms last. Young children who see favorite items disappearing into bubble wrapping and boxes may start to feel anxious. It’s not uncommon for preschoolers to act out or experience nightmares during the moving process. Maintain a sense of normalcy in the home as long as possible. Begin by packing nonessential items, only packing kids’ items when your moving date is right around the corner. Let children say good-bye to familiar haunts and even to their old home. 5. Plan a school orientation. Take advantage of any programs schools offer to acclimate kids to their new environment. Kids often leave friends behind when moving to a new home. The faster they get back to a normal routine, the better it will be for them. Schools are where children will make new friends and participate in social occasions, so tour their new schools before the school year begins, and meet with a few residents and current students to learn about special programs that may make a move less stressful for youngsters. March 2014 5 Relocate your stress hire a professional designer By VANESSA MCPEAK B uying and selling a home can be an exciting time for many people. Often, we look forward to the experience ahead, the thrill of new surroundings, and to change and growth. But, unfortunately the relocation process can also be fraught with stress and anxiety. Because we are busier than ever, it comes as no surprise that preparing a home for resale, and the subsequent move, can throw many into a tailspin. Days are filled with long work hours, social obligations, endless errands, and homework and after school activities, leaving little time for anything else. Hiring a Professional Organizer to handle relocation can help the process to flow in a smooth and efficient manner, thus minimizing stress and overwork for the homeowner. A professional organizer can help in two distinct areas when it comes to relocation. On the front end a PO can assist with preparing a house for the market. On the back end PO’s are enlisted for the moving process and to fully settle you in to your new home. A PO can step in where needed, or manage your entire project. Real estate agents often advise that a listing has only one chance to make a positive first impression. Critical to your sale is for a buyer to envision his life in your home. By working with a PO through the de-cluttering and stag- ing process you can achieve a tastefully minimalized atmosphere, allowing the beauty and potential of your rooms to shine thru. The de-cluttering process removes the distraction of extraneous possessions and allows you to reap some financial rewards as well. It is quite common to have unopened boxes from prior moves tucked away in an attic or basement. There is a high cost associated with packing, transporting and storing items that no longer have a place in your life. This cost can be so high that corporate relocation budgets often include hiring a PO to assist their employees with the discard and donate process. An organizer will help you determine what is important to keep and what is no longer conducive to your lifestyle. On the back end a PO can be extremely beneficial by being on site to handle all the logistics of a move. Working with crews to set up your new home, we ensure that furniture is placed to the owners’ specification, beds are made, kitchen is fully functional and ready for use, shirts are hung in the appropriate closet; every thing has a place and you can find it. If relocation involves downsizing or transitioning a loved one to a senior facility, organizers can assist with consigning, donating and removal of unwanted possessions. Our resources include affiliations with estate dealers and antique appraisers. We can aid with the breaking down and prioritizing of a lifetime of ac- cumulated possessions and memorabilia, which can be extremely difficult for family members. By letting a PO handle this work the family is available to assist in getting loved ones settled in to their new life. Occasionally, timing requires a stay in temporary housing. This can add another layer of stress and chaos. PO’s can arrange furniture rental and help determine which items are essential to move immediately. For items that will be held for a later date, PO’s can secure a storage unit and then coordinate the transfer into your new home. There is great value in adding a Professional Organizer to your team. We can be as engaged as the client wishes, from handling a single facet of a move to facilitating a turnkey operation. Hiring a PO to handle your relocation needs not only reduces your stress but it frees up your valuable time, which is better spent exploring your new community. Vanessa McPeak, Industry Member, NAPO and NAPO Nashville, is a professional organizer and the owner of Effective Organizing Solutions, 615-504-5693; vlm@organizingtn.com ; organizingtn.com. 6 Real Estate Showcase of Sumner County SUMNER PROPERY TRANSFERS April 3 through April 9, 2014 Bethpage Ronnie Inman and Teresa West to Geoffrey Howlett and Kimberly Odom, 556 Womack Road, Bethpage, $155,000. Melanie Branham to James Oldham. 1125 Rogana Road, Bethpage, $87,246.93. The Estate of Eugene Sadler to Jacob Scheid, 1025 Reese Road, Bethpage, $85,180. Castalian Springs Robert and April Ballachino to William and Misti Cook, 549 C Governor Hall Road, Castalian Springs, $165,000. US Bank National Assn. to Joseph Smith, 1014 Lynndale Drive, Castalian Springs, $89,900. Dale and Kristen Hix to Derek and Laci Boze, 1022 Meridian Drive, Castalian Springs, $130,500. Robert Helson to Timmy and Kelly Burkhart, 1217 Littleton Ranch Road, Castalian Springs, $79,900. Cottontown Raymond and Patricia Hoover to Kenneth Barcus and Ginger Lam, 101 Ben Albert Road, Cottontown, $169,900. Gallatin Jean and Virginia Murphy to Irva Byrd, 320 East Franklin Street Condominum #13, Gallatin, $162,000. Ole South Properties, Inc. to Michael Sullivan, 1016 East Sagewood Drive, Gallatin, $217,990. United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Nathan Wall, 131 Lynn Drive, Gallatin, $95,750. Samuel Grinder to Mark and Sheila Scull, 1032 Harness Circle, Gallatin, $256,000. Barry Shead to Charles and Kinsley Smith, 1015 Cabriolet Ct., Gallatin, $285,500. John and Brandi Pettis to Stephen Valente, 1562 Boardwalk Place, Gallatin, $875,000. Ole South Properties, Inc. to Keith and Diane Thomas, 814 Bauman Court, Gallatin, $285,000. Jim Sweeney Construction, Inc. to Velvet and Avery Vaughn, 962 Westbrook Drive, Gallatin, $270,000. Christopher and Jacque- lyn Poarch to Marcelo and Elisangela Defreitas, 164 Lori Lee Drive, Gallatin, $193,500. Goodall Inc. Builders to Jimmy and Thais Smith, 1035 Prestwick Lane, Gallatin, $268,330. The Guy Family Trust to Christopher and Jacquelyn Poarch, 2706 Cages Bend Road, Gallatin, $264,450. Thomas Cummins to Robert Seahorn, 1026 Monticello Place, Gallatin, $169,000. The Estate of Thomas Lloyd Scruggs to Chad Lawson and Johnny Williams, 158 West Hite Street, Gallatin, $40,000. James and Melissa Compton to Jon and Amy Kemp, 1158 Potter Lane, Gallatin, $740,000. Robert and Patricia Kirby to Brenda Howard, 825 S. Browns Lane #1401, Gallatin, $192,000. Goodall Inc. Builders to Timothy and Gail Yarbrough, 1067 Campbell Avenue, Gallatin, $192,900. Goodall Inc. Builders to Hollice Mangrum, 395 Devon Chase Hill #5101, Gallatin, $199,650. Goodall Inc. Builders to Richard Smith, 395 Devon Chase Hill #5104, Gallatin $183,965. Danny and Jennifer Johnson to Miller Properties, 1084 Pine Hurst Drive, Gallatin, $165,000. Ole South Properties, Inc. to Justin and Maritza Armistead, 1025 East Sagewood Drive, Gallatin, $210,155. Enrique and Megan Morales to Michael Oher, 1105 Thora Court, Gallatin, $513,000. Goodlettsville Brian Moore and Allan Thomas to Jimmy, Virginia and Amanda Moore, 1098 Williamson Road, Goodlettsville, $168,000. Clifford and Linda Jaebker to Scott and Kristen Stevermer, 128 Joshuas Run, Goodlettsville, $415,000 . Vishal Banker to Anish and Bhavika Banker and Janki Patel, 1014 Calebs Walk, Goodlettsville, $485,000. Goodall Inc. Builders to Judith Dickens, 100 Placid Grove Lane Unit 1605, Goodlettsville, $230,425. Gerald and Carolyn Davis to Melvin and Jennifer Brown, 106 Braxton Park Lane, Goodlettsville, $205,000. Hendersonville Fountain Brooke, LLC to Drees Premier Homes, Inc., 112 Fountain Brooke Drive, Hendersonville, $57,500. Hazel Path Partnership to SSI Hazel Path, LLC, Bonita Parkway, Hendersonville, $100,433.49. Centex Homes to Jim and Sue Claiborne, 1024 Lacebark Lane, Hendersonville, $261,728. Donnie and Shelia Reed to Steven Whitlow, 121 Hills Dale Drive, Hendersonville, $147,900. Steven and Becky McLaughlin to Mark and Andrea Pitt, 155 Bay Shore Drive, Hendersonville, $650,000. Angelo and Cynthia Bruno to Anna Smith, 102 Winding Way, Hendersonville, $134,000. Deborah Cross to Elizabeth Thor, 250 Donna Drive #7-C, Hendersonville, $55,000. Robert and Harriet Rees to Donna Whitsell, 103 Melanie Drive, Hendersonville, $175,000. Summit Investments, LLC to Florina and Mihai Sferle, 132 Captains Circle, Hendersonville, $215,900. Casey Sasser to Michal and Kelly Collins, 102 Blue Ridge Place, Hendersonville, $373,000 Bradley and Kathryn Wear to Paul and Kristen La Scola, 103 Indian Lake Court, Hendersonville, $850,000. Jack and Linda Mencer to Dongyu Wang and Lingli Ni, 353 Bonita Parkway, Hendersonville, $113,500. Drees Premier Homes, Inc. to Grover and Genela Hardin, 200 Carly Close E., Hendersonville, $405,000. Burnett Builders, Inc. to Lilibeth King, 116 Laurel Lane, Hendersonville, $184,400. Randy Frase to Chase and M. Chloe Clapper, 116 Cloverdale Court, Hendersonville, $198,900. DB Investments, LLC to Christopher Janes and Tricia Savage-Janes, 1038 Tower Hill Lane, Hendersonville, $322,612.07. DB Investments, LLC to Dorthy Ruby, 116 Shadowhaven Way North, Hendersonville, $241,408. Maury and Amanda Dugger to Suzan Starkey, 139 East Drive, Hendersonville, $190,000. Meadows of Indian Lake LP to Richard and Heather Alexander, 109 Clarendon Place, Hendersonville, $52,500. Kevin and Marilee Dunn to Kenneth and Judith Jackson, 106 Stonehollow Way, Hendersonville, $241,900. Larry Cox to Stone Peak, LLC, 171 Maple Drive, Hendersonville, $141,250. Daniel Dunn to Brian Hulse, 113 Hazelwood Drive, Hendersonville, $105,000. David and Kimberyn McCollough to Kevin and Kara Capps, 210 Vintage Circle, Hendersonville, $230,000. Jess and Rachel Rainer to Richard and Shandie Robertson, 207 Vintage Circle, Hendersonville, $214,000. Summit Investments, LLC to Abel and Stephanie Moreno, 136 McKain Crossing, Hendersonville, $239,300. Joey and Karrie Keen to Tiffany George, 129 Walton Village Drive, Hendersonville, $140,000. Glenn and Sara Wade to Daryl and Leilah Hayman, 152 Glenn Hill Drive, Hendersonville, $235,000. JP Morgan Chase Bank National Assn. to Vintage Properties and Development, LLC, 1002 Smoke Rise Lane, Hendersonville, $180,000. Shane Kville to Jeremy and Jennifer Wheeler, 116 Redbud Drive, Hendersonville, $185,000. Magnolia Tree Investments, Inc. to Glenn and Sara Wade, 118 Lake Terrace Drive, Hendersonville, $359,900. The Oscar and Mary Flem- ing Revocable Trust to David and Sherrie Seay, 115 Laurens Way N., Hendersonville, $200,000. Portland Patrick Suttle Construction to Charles and Alexis Moore, 117 Elise Lane, Portland, $178,802. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Daniel Cole, 113 Timberwood Drive, Portland, $97,500. Nancy Webster to Michael Jones, 310 Fowler Ford Road, Portland, $20,000. Floyd and Lindy Birdwell to Matthew Shirley, 149 April Circle, Portland, $99,900. 21st Mortgage Corp. to Susan and Aubrey Kiningham, 133 Breedder Road, Portland, $81,775. Charlotte Parks to Terry Taylor, 109 Golfers Circle, Portland, $205,000. JP Morgan Chase Bank to Betty Miller, 113 April Circle, Portland, $65,000. Leslie Will to Dennis and Chantal Hardison, 114 Buena Vista Drive, Portland, $154,000. Carrie Stark to Harvey and Rebecca Epps, 111 High Street, Portland, $94,800. Westmoreland Irene Holmes to Daniel and Chandra Wilkerson, 245 City Park Road, Westmoreland, $157,000. Thomas Poruchny to Kendon Duggin and Ashley Birchfield, 204 W. Garretts Creek Road, Westmoreland, $114,000. Le Maria Creasy to Joseph and Kirsty Powell, 3401 B Old Hwy. 31-E, Westmoreland, $122,500. White House Andrew and Heather Robertson to Chadwick and Hannah Hamsley, 105 Hunterwood Court, White House, $203,000. Roger and Sandra Richardson to Duston and Anita Watts, 765 McCurdy Road, White House, $225,000. Robert Brewer to Christopher and Tiffany White, 115 Chapman Drive, White House, $235,000. The Estate of Mary L. Smith to Kenneth and Edna Pulley, 301 Valley View Drive, White House, $120,000. Chase and Patricia Lyle to John Towe and Melissa Martin, 472 Fern Valley Road, White House, $189,900. The Estate of Mary L. Smith to Kenneth and Edna Pulley, 301 Valley View Drive, White House, $120,000. Chase and Patricia Lyle to John Towe and Melissa Martin, 472 Fern Valley Road, White House, $189,900. March 2014 7 5 quick fixes for big improvements around your home W hen it comes to home improvement, you don’t need to do a complete overhaul to make a big impact. A “less is more” approach may serve you better, say experts. “Sometimes quick fixes are the ones you need most,” says Lou Manfredini, host of “HouseSmarts TV” and home improvement contributor on NBC’s “The Today Show.” According to Manfredini, there are five small projects you can do yourself that can make a huge difference in your home: Clean the Disposal: Your kitchen sink and disposal work hard, but sometimes they can stink. Every few months, eliminate odor and freshen things up by pouring half a cup of general purpose disinfectant cleaner down the drain. Using a small nylon pipe cleaning brush or clean toilet brush, reach in between the sink drain assembly and scrub the sidewalls of the pipe below it, paying special attention to the underside of the rubber flap on the disposal. Patch in a Snap: Unsightly holes in walls can ruin the look of a room. Luckily, patching those holes doesn’t have to be time-intensive. For holes smaller than a dime, apply wall spackle with a putty knife. For larger holes, you may need to use a self-stick metal patch to cover it, and then apply spackle to smooth it out. “Achieving professional looking results quickly and on-budget requires the right products,” says Manfredini. Use a high-quality wall patch like 3M Patch plus primer spackle and primer in one, now available in a kit for holes up to three inches wide. It applies smoothly and has a built in primer, so once the wall is dry and sanded, you can paint immediately, cutting the repair time in half. More information can be found at www.3MDIY.com/patch. Peace and Quiet: Plagued by squeaky wood flooring? Try pouring baby powder over the noisy area. Then, wrap a block of wood in a dish rag and tap the boards down with a hammer to drive the powder between the tongue and groove of the flooring and tighten the nails holding it in place. “It may not work in all instances but I’ve had great success with this process,” says Manfredini. Accent with Paint: To update a room without investing much time or money, paint one wall an accent color. Half of all paint sold in the US is white, so why not add bold color to your home like blue, red or even tangerine? Prep by lightly sanding the entire surface. Patch any holes and then paint using a paint and primer in one. Two coats will give you the depth of color you want and should take only an afternoon. Light it up: To save money and help the environment, switch to LED light bulbs. With all the improvements in color, they can now mimic the warm lighting associated with incandescent bulbs, using two-thirds less electricity. You don’t have to spend lots of time or money to spruce up your home this spring. Small projects can go a long way towards make it look great. Article contributed by StatePoint 8 Real Estate Showcase of Sumner County Home improvement projects recouping more at resale In its annual Cost vs. Value Report that compares the cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale, Remodeling magazine found that the overall average cost-value ratio has improved for the first time in six years. Cost-recouped percentages increased for all 35 projects examined for the 2013 survey, a remarkable turnaround from just a year earlier, when only three of the 35 projects saw an increase in cost-recouped percentage. Replacement projects proved especially beneficial for homeowners, who likely also benefitted from a real estate market that finally started to stabilize after an extended period of economic uncertainty that heavily influenced both buyers and sellers. While an economy on the rebound no doubt benefitted homeowners looking to recoup as much of their home improvement investment at resale as possible, other factors likely contributed as well. For example, homeowners surveyed for the 2013 report who added a backup power generator recouped more of their investment than in previous years. That’s likely because heavily publicized storms, such as Superstorm Sandy in late 2012, have forced homeowners and prospective homeowners to place a greater emphasis on being prepared for such storms. Among the upscale projects surveyed, none recouped more of a homeowner’s investment than replacing existing siding with fiber-cement siding. Homeowners who financed such a project recouped 79.3 percent of the project’s cost, placing it just ahead of a garage door replacement, which recouped an average of 75.2 percent of its cost. After years of many home improvement projects recouping little of their initial costs at resale, the tide finally seems to be turning for homeowners. More information about the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report is available at www.remodeling.hw.net.