Don’t Move. Improve!
2011, November 30th
I was recently in a local bank, waiting in line when I saw the bank’s newsletter in a rack beside me. I picked one up and was immediately drawn to a headline that said, “If you can’t move, it may make sense to improve.” Now that’s what a remodeler likes to see- the local bank encouraging their customers to use his services. The article went on to point out some interesting ideas that I’ll summarize here.
First, create a wishlist of things you would like to change about your home. Make these things that you’ll not only enjoy, but will increase the value of your home such as increasing square footage (expanding into an unfinished attic space) or improving the home’s energy efficiency (insulation or replacing the ancient furnace with a high efficiency one).
Next, call your local contractor, like Mac-Bo, and talk about the feasibility of what you are doing. We will be able to tell you if you need an architect and what building permits may be required. Don’t be afraid to tell us what your budget is. Doing so lets us tailor solutions to what you can afford: there are as many remodel options as there are budgets. We can also tell you approximately how long the project will take and what you can do to prepare for it.
Once you know what it is going to cost, your bank can offer you options to pay for it such as refinancing and taking cash out, opening a home equity account, or finding a personal loan or line of credit. The good news about financing today is that interest rates are at historic lows. Remember that applying for financing and getting approval takes time, often three weeks or more to process an application. Take this into account when you map out a remodeling project on your calendar.
Let Mac-Bo be your guide through this process. We will be happy to help you plan your remodel and ensure that it is a pleasure before, during and after construction.
