Kitchen Remodeling ROI – Return On Investment

The cost for your kitchen remodeling project should be based on the value of your home. Investing too much could lead to a poor return on investment or a home valued outside the local market expectations. 15% of home value is a good rule of thumb for a kitchen remodeling budget. Following 15% of home value, it is not inconceivable to get 80% to 90% or more return on investment.

Usually you can expect a lower return on investment for more major remodeling projects due to the increased cost involved in a major remodeling project. If a kitchen has been neglected or is dilapidated you can expect a lower return on investment because much of the cost is consumed by bringing the kitchen to a livable standard rather than actual improvements.

A 100% return on investment is possible. But rather than working designing towards that figure, consider livability as a major component in your kitchen remodeling project budget. Especially if you plan on living at the home for some time to come. You might even love your new kitchen so much that you forget about any notion of selling and moving out.

New kitchen appliances can often be all that is needed in a kitchen remodel project, and can be relatively inexpensive since there is no labor involved other than delivery and installation. Plus, since new, good quality appliances are pleasing to prospective buyers, they can have a favorable return on investment.

Your homes size and your neighborhood should be considered too. If your improvement or remodeling project are extensive compared to the rest of the neighborhood or size of the home, then a high expectation of return on investment may be unrealistic.

You can also consult a local real estate agent to get a good idea of how extensive of a kitchen remodeling project to fund. A good real estate agent with knowledge of your neighborhood should be able to give a good indication of your remodeling project ideas effect on the value of your home. Even if your remodel project is for your own satisfaction, and you have no intent on selling and moving, a real estate agent will usually have a good idea of how much previous clients spent on their kitchen remodels, and the resulting increase in home value. Consider offering the agent a flat fee for their opinion if you have no intent on selling.

To summarize, a kitchen remodeling project can greatly increase the value of your home, and make it sell faster. Return on investment may, or may not be important to you depending on if the project is for your own satisfaction or for selling the home. But do be carefull that your project does not price your home out of the neighborhood.

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6 Ideas For a Green Kitchen Remodel

With the global push for finding and using renewable, eco-friendly resources, the construction industry has been able to adapt and create eco-friendly building products. While the materials may cost more than traditional building materials, they will reduce the impact on the environment and reduce the carbon footprint of your home. A great place to make a significant impact is in the kitchen. With the amount of materials and electricity used in the average kitchen, a few changes can make a significant impact. Here are 6 ideas on how to use Eco-Friendly products in your kitchen remodel.

Appliances must be Energy Star. Energy Star appliances consume 10-50% less energy than standard models, so if you’re adding new appliances, make sure you get the most efficient ones available. It will not only make an impact on the environment, but it will also help reduce your monthly energy bill.

Use recycled or fast-renewing flooring materials- cook and bamboo are two great options when it comes to fast renewing materials with a low impact on the environment. Other options included recycled materials just as rubber tiles, and even glass or ceramic tiles that have been recycled.

Use low- or no-VOC paints. Green paints are becoming easier to find, although they will cost a little more. These paints are better for a home’s indoor air quality. It eliminates the fumes associated with traditional paints, and still provides an attractive finish to any room of the house.

Use green cabinets and fixtures. Eco-friendly cabinets can be expensive, since there are not a lot of manufacturers on the market as of yet (but that is rapidly changing). While there are a lot of manufacturers claiming to be green manufacturers, it is important to check where the product is coming from, where the materials are sourced, and all of the steps in-between.

Add more green insulation. If you’re doing a renovation, it may be time to add more insulation to capture the energy efficiency benefits. This is a great place to use recycled materials to help prevent heat loss and cold air from getting in. There are a wide variety of recycled insulation materials on the market, so consult a professional to find what would work best for you.

Use energy efficient lighting. It’s easy to swap out incandescents with CFLs, but if you’re doing a major remodel, consider going with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Some LEDs are super easy to install, such as the CREE LR6, and have a warm light tone. Do the research.

While this article revolved around kitchen renovation, many of these ideas and materials can be applied to the rest of your house as well. So the next time you are getting ready for a remodeling project, consider the green alternatives for your home, and help save the environment.

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Sold! How a Kitchen Remodel Can Get Your Home Off the Market

Across the nation, house prices, overall, are still at all-time lows. The industry is seeing signs of picking up in some regions, however, hinting at the potential for an widespread upswing in the near future. For instance, it was recently reported that Western Washington housing prices were stabilizing and that Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, housing prices were leveling off. What can homeowners who are looking to sell their homes do to maximize their selling prices in this down economy? It all starts in the kitchen.

According to a recent The Salt Lake Tribune article titled “Selling your house? Spruce up the kitchen,” a kitchen remodel is “the advice of vendors at 33rd annual home improvement show.” The event of which the article speaks is the Home Remodeling & Redecorating Show in Sandy, Utah.

One expert cited in the article pointed out that “kitchen improvements are most likely to make an impression on prospective home buyers,” thereby driving up the price they are willing to pay. Another source asserted, “The kitchen and master bath are what are going to move the house.”

Sure, remodeling the kitchen can be an expensive proposition, but it can also reward the homeowner with a great return on investment. If you’re in the market to sell your home and your kitchen isn’t up to snuff, a kitchen remodel might just pay for itself and more by getting your home off the market more quickly and onto the radar of buyers with higher-priced mortgage approvals.

Now that you’ve been convinced to make the investment, transforming the room with a complete kitchen makeover can prove daunting to the average homeowner. An online kitchen remodeling super center can assist you in managing your remodel, estimating your cost and, should you choose to do so-and you should-selecting a design professional who can advise you on everything from measuring for new appliances to picking out an elegant faucet.

If your existing kitchen has good bones and just needs some updating with a new look, an online kitchen remodeling showcase can help here as well. A fresh coat of paint, new wallpaper or changing the window treatments can go a long way in refreshing the style of your kitchen, and you’ll find recommendations for all of these kitchen features in its gallery.

Finally, by providing kitchen remodeling ideas and links to leading manufacturers for cabinets, countertops, hardware, appliances and so much more, a Web-based kitchen remodeling showcase will infuse you with sales-inducing design inspiration. Even the most utilitarian items can inspire the style of your kitchen, like a stainless steel range hood or a granite sink.

Why is all of this important? If you know your home is going to appeal, for example, to homeowners with multiple children, a six-burner gourmet stove or enough seating for several individuals might just be the ticket to inducing potential buyers into slapping a SOLD sticker over your for sale sign. Regardless of your targeted buyer, an online kitchen remodeling inspiration guide can help you design the super kitchen of someone’s dreams.

www.LKNcabinets.com