2011-2012 Cost vs. Value: Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off the Most?
On January 25, 2012, in Helpful Tools, Remodeling Adviser, by Melissa Tracey
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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
When tackling home remodeling projects, you’ll find some projects pay off more than others at times of resale. Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, recently released findings of its annual Cost vs. Value report for 2011-2012, revealing which remodeling projects offer the biggest bang for your buck.
Overall, the trend right now is replacement over remodeling–swapping out the old for the new rather than doing a total gut job, which can be much more costly.
This year’s Cost vs. Value report found that exterior replacement projects–such as new garage doors and a new entry door–offer some of the best returns at resale, allowing home owners to recoup close to 70 percent or more of the costs of the project at times of resale.
The following are the top, mid-range projects from this year’s report, based on what home owners stand to recoup at time of resale:
1. Replacing the entry door to steel
Estimated cost: $1,238
Cost recouped at resale: 73%
2. Attic bedroom (converting unfinished attic space into a bedroom with bathroom and shower)
Estimated cost: $50,148
Cost recouped at resale: 72.5%
3. Minor kitchen remodel (including new cabinets and drawers, countertops, hardware, and appliances)
Estimated cost: $19,588
Cost recouped at resale: 72.1%
4. Garage door replacement
Estimated cost: $1,512
Cost recouped at resale: 71.9%
5. Deck addition (wood)
Estimated cost: $10,350
Cost recouped at resale: 70.1%
6. Siding replacement (vinyl)
Estimated cost: $11,729
Cost recouped at resale: 69.5%
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Kim's Yummy Chile
2 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
2 Tbl spn sugar
1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb hot spicy ground pork
2 onions, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic
1/2 lemon juiced
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
4 beef bouillon cubes
2 cups water
1/2 cup chili powder
2 tbl spn cumin
2 tsp oregano
1 tbl spn basil
2 tsp sea salt
1 tbl spn black pepper
1 tsp white pepper
16 oz beans cleaned and soaked over night or according to directions.
I used black eyed peas for New Years chile. Also pinto or black beans.
Saute the pork and beef in nonstick skillet until brown. Transfer to a large stockpot.
Add onion, garlic, bell pepper and jalapeno to skillet and saute until the onions are slightly translucent. Add to stock pot.
Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, bouillon cubes and 2 cups of water to the stock pot.
Mix together the spices in a bowl then add water to create a thin paste. Add to stock pot.
Drain and rinse the beans. Add to the chili.
Simmer for 3-4 hours.
Serve with Fritos, scallions, cheddar cheese and sour cream
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
2 Tbl spn sugar
1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb hot spicy ground pork
2 onions, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic
1/2 lemon juiced
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
4 beef bouillon cubes
2 cups water
1/2 cup chili powder
2 tbl spn cumin
2 tsp oregano
1 tbl spn basil
2 tsp sea salt
1 tbl spn black pepper
1 tsp white pepper
16 oz beans cleaned and soaked over night or according to directions.
I used black eyed peas for New Years chile. Also pinto or black beans.
Saute the pork and beef in nonstick skillet until brown. Transfer to a large stockpot.
Add onion, garlic, bell pepper and jalapeno to skillet and saute until the onions are slightly translucent. Add to stock pot.
Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, bouillon cubes and 2 cups of water to the stock pot.
Mix together the spices in a bowl then add water to create a thin paste. Add to stock pot.
Drain and rinse the beans. Add to the chili.
Simmer for 3-4 hours.
Serve with Fritos, scallions, cheddar cheese and sour cream
Friday, January 27, 2012
Dallas Home Prices to Climb in 2012
After almost five years of declines, Dallas-Fort Worth home prices will edge up in 2012, according to a new forecast. The D-FW area will be among the top 10 home price gainers this year, according to a report by California-based housing analyst Clear Capital.
Overall home prices in D-FW should rise 5.8 percent by the end of 2012, Clear Capital predicts. That's higher than the nationwide forecast of a 0.2 percent price gain. About half of the 50 major U.S. cities in the Clear Capital forecast are expected to have price gains this year. "Our projections show that the current balance the market has found will continue through 2012," Clear Capital research director Alex Villacorta said in the report.
The largest price increases are forecast for Orlando, Fla., and Bakersfield, Calif. - both over 11 percent. Those markets have been among the hardest hit during the housing downturn.
Along with D-FW's increase, Clear Capital also predicts a 3 percent price gain in Houston. Major declines of home prices are forecast this year for cities including Atlanta, down 14.4 percent, and Los Angeles, down 10.3 percent.
Home prices in the D-FW area have been falling since mid-2007, down about 9 percent since then. Nationwide, home prices are down more than a third. "Dallas hasn't fallen very far and is hanging in there," Villacorta said in a recent interview. "The positive year [2011] you have is outperforming the nation."
Through the first 11 months of 2011, the median price of homes sold in North Texas through real estate agents' multiple listing services was flat compared with the same period of 2010.
Ted Wilson of Residential Strategies said that since the supply of homes on the market in North Texas is falling, it makes sense that prices would inch up. "The tighter supply of housing should help to boost prices," Wilson said. Local data shows that prices in D-FW are rising slightly in affluent areas. But prices were still falling in 2011 in low- and moderate-price neighborhoods that have seen large numbers of home foreclosures.
Clear Capital estimates that in the fourth quarter of 2011, more than 28 percent of the homes for sale in North Texas were previously foreclosed properties. That was higher than the nationwide rate of just under 25 percent of distressed properties on the market.
North Texas home prices will be negatively affected if large numbers of additional foreclosed homes hit the market, said Dr. James Gaines, an economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. "2012, though, will generally be an up year, but the up won't be all that remarkable and still not what we might call a full-on recovery," Gaines said. "That will take several more years to get to."
By STEVE BROWN
STEVE BROWN The Dallas Morning News
Real Estate Editor
stevebrown@dallasnews.com
Published: 09 January 2012 06:46 AM
Overall home prices in D-FW should rise 5.8 percent by the end of 2012, Clear Capital predicts. That's higher than the nationwide forecast of a 0.2 percent price gain. About half of the 50 major U.S. cities in the Clear Capital forecast are expected to have price gains this year. "Our projections show that the current balance the market has found will continue through 2012," Clear Capital research director Alex Villacorta said in the report.
The largest price increases are forecast for Orlando, Fla., and Bakersfield, Calif. - both over 11 percent. Those markets have been among the hardest hit during the housing downturn.
Along with D-FW's increase, Clear Capital also predicts a 3 percent price gain in Houston. Major declines of home prices are forecast this year for cities including Atlanta, down 14.4 percent, and Los Angeles, down 10.3 percent.
Home prices in the D-FW area have been falling since mid-2007, down about 9 percent since then. Nationwide, home prices are down more than a third. "Dallas hasn't fallen very far and is hanging in there," Villacorta said in a recent interview. "The positive year [2011] you have is outperforming the nation."
Through the first 11 months of 2011, the median price of homes sold in North Texas through real estate agents' multiple listing services was flat compared with the same period of 2010.
Ted Wilson of Residential Strategies said that since the supply of homes on the market in North Texas is falling, it makes sense that prices would inch up. "The tighter supply of housing should help to boost prices," Wilson said. Local data shows that prices in D-FW are rising slightly in affluent areas. But prices were still falling in 2011 in low- and moderate-price neighborhoods that have seen large numbers of home foreclosures.
Clear Capital estimates that in the fourth quarter of 2011, more than 28 percent of the homes for sale in North Texas were previously foreclosed properties. That was higher than the nationwide rate of just under 25 percent of distressed properties on the market.
North Texas home prices will be negatively affected if large numbers of additional foreclosed homes hit the market, said Dr. James Gaines, an economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. "2012, though, will generally be an up year, but the up won't be all that remarkable and still not what we might call a full-on recovery," Gaines said. "That will take several more years to get to."
By STEVE BROWN
STEVE BROWN The Dallas Morning News
Real Estate Editor
stevebrown@dallasnews.com
Published: 09 January 2012 06:46 AM
The Spice of Life
All those spices and herbs in your spice rack can do more than add a little extra kick to your meals — they can rev up your metabolism and improve your health at the same time. Many spices are considered superfoods because they are full of antioxidants! Consider adding two to three spices to all your meals to make them not only taste great, but also help detoxify your body at the same time. (Don’t you just love nature!?) Here’s a list of some of the herbs and spices that will give a healthy (and flavorful) boost to your foods.
Basil is rich in antioxidants like vitamins A and C.
Black pepper increases the hydrochloric-acid production in your stomach, aiding digestion.
Cayenne pepper is a cardiovascular booster.
Crushed red-pepper flakes contain capsaicin, a potent anti-inflammatory.
Cumin primes the salivary glands and improves digestion.
Curry powder combines all the benefits of cumin and turmeric in one quick pinch.
Dill is a potent antioxidant and a good source of calcium.
Fennel boosts levels of vitamin C and contains anethole, a phytonutrient that can prevent cancer.
Garlic can help regulate the number of fat cells in your body and protect your cardiovascular system from disease.
Lemon and lime brighten up the flavor of plain water — and boost your intake of vitamin C.
Mint can help fight cancer.
Nutmeg can help you get sleepy at night.
Onion offers similar cardiovascular benefits as garlic.
Oregano is, pound for pound, one of the most antioxidant-rich foods around.
Paprika is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Rosemary may be a weapon in the fight against cancer by preventing carcinogens from binding to cells.
Sage contains the same cancer-fighting compounds as rosemary.
Tarragon can aid digestion and help improve heart health.
Thyme is a relative of mint and a potent antioxidant.
Turmeric has been shown in several studies to have anti-inflammatory properties — and could help protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
Vanilla is not only a sweet flavoring but also a stellar antioxidant.
All those spices and herbs in your spice rack can do more than add a little extra kick to your meals — they can rev up your metabolism and improve your health at the same time. Many spices are considered superfoods because they are full of antioxidants! Consider adding two to three spices to all your meals to make them not only taste great, but also help detoxify your body at the same time. (Don’t you just love nature!?) Here’s a list of some of the herbs and spices that will give a healthy (and flavorful) boost to your foods.
Basil is rich in antioxidants like vitamins A and C.
Black pepper increases the hydrochloric-acid production in your stomach, aiding digestion.
Cayenne pepper is a cardiovascular booster.
Crushed red-pepper flakes contain capsaicin, a potent anti-inflammatory.
Cumin primes the salivary glands and improves digestion.
Curry powder combines all the benefits of cumin and turmeric in one quick pinch.
Dill is a potent antioxidant and a good source of calcium.
Fennel boosts levels of vitamin C and contains anethole, a phytonutrient that can prevent cancer.
Garlic can help regulate the number of fat cells in your body and protect your cardiovascular system from disease.
Lemon and lime brighten up the flavor of plain water — and boost your intake of vitamin C.
Mint can help fight cancer.
Nutmeg can help you get sleepy at night.
Onion offers similar cardiovascular benefits as garlic.
Oregano is, pound for pound, one of the most antioxidant-rich foods around.
Paprika is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Rosemary may be a weapon in the fight against cancer by preventing carcinogens from binding to cells.
Sage contains the same cancer-fighting compounds as rosemary.
Tarragon can aid digestion and help improve heart health.
Thyme is a relative of mint and a potent antioxidant.
Turmeric has been shown in several studies to have anti-inflammatory properties — and could help protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
Vanilla is not only a sweet flavoring but also a stellar antioxidant.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Incredible Spinach and Artichoke dip (served warm)
Whenever I take this fabulous dish to a party I always come home with an empty bow.!
2 cups (8oz) Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup Parmesan grated
3 Garlic Cloves crushed
14 oz Artichoke Hearts chopped and drained
16-20 oz Cream Cheese
10 oz Spinach - frozen and thawed
6 oz Feta Cheese, crumbled
Black Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine 1 1/2 cup Mozzarella, Sour Cream, 2 T. Parmesan and rest of the ingredients in large bowl and stir until well blended.(if does not blend well put in oven for 5-7 minutes). Spoon mixture into 2 qt baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Mozzarella and 2 T Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Serve with tortilla chips, bread or pita chips.
2 cups (8oz) Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup Parmesan grated
3 Garlic Cloves crushed
14 oz Artichoke Hearts chopped and drained
16-20 oz Cream Cheese
10 oz Spinach - frozen and thawed
6 oz Feta Cheese, crumbled
Black Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine 1 1/2 cup Mozzarella, Sour Cream, 2 T. Parmesan and rest of the ingredients in large bowl and stir until well blended.(if does not blend well put in oven for 5-7 minutes). Spoon mixture into 2 qt baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Mozzarella and 2 T Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Serve with tortilla chips, bread or pita chips.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Winter care for Swimming Pools
SWIMMING POOLS
Residential Service companies do not cover pool equipment if damage is caused by freezing.
When the air temperature drops below 32 degrees and ice forms on the tile and surface of the pool, additional steps are necessary. Remember that ice expands larger than the water it comes from.
Place sealed plastic containers that float in the pool, to help keep the surface from freezing.
Break up ice as soon as it starts to form to prevent ice expansion damage.
Don't backwash a filter during freezing conditions.
Keep skimmer and skimmer doors clear of ice.
Maintain water levels (evaporation of water is normal even during the cold weather months). If water gets low in the pool, the bearings could fail and the pump could draw air or dry up - that is bad!
If you run your heater during low freezing conditions, this may cause damage to the heater.
Run the heater with discretion in the winter.
Circulate pool water for a minimum of 6 hours a day, especially during the coldest time: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Residential Service companies do not cover pool equipment if damage is caused by freezing.
When the air temperature drops below 32 degrees and ice forms on the tile and surface of the pool, additional steps are necessary. Remember that ice expands larger than the water it comes from.
Place sealed plastic containers that float in the pool, to help keep the surface from freezing.
Break up ice as soon as it starts to form to prevent ice expansion damage.
Don't backwash a filter during freezing conditions.
Keep skimmer and skimmer doors clear of ice.
Maintain water levels (evaporation of water is normal even during the cold weather months). If water gets low in the pool, the bearings could fail and the pump could draw air or dry up - that is bad!
If you run your heater during low freezing conditions, this may cause damage to the heater.
Run the heater with discretion in the winter.
Circulate pool water for a minimum of 6 hours a day, especially during the coldest time: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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