Jim Guido's Blog

When Buying and moving into your new home it is usually a stressful process. It can also be a fun process for many homeowners. A new home in a new location offers the perfect opportunity for homeowners to reclaim their space and personalize it by using objects, furniture and themes that are important or meaningful. The experts at Ryland Homes offer some tips to help you find your inner decorator and personalize your home so that it suites you for years to come. Check out their suggestions below and good luck in making your new home yours.

Be true to you. Your home tells a story about you, so fill it with objects that you enjoy. Decorate for you – not for others.

Tread cautiously with trends. Trends are great, but not always practical for your lifestyle or your pocketbook. Ask yourself if the design you implement today is the one you’ll want to look at years from now.

Think of others. When planning your space, imagine it with people in the room. Often, homeowners try to decorate their homes like pictures they see in a magazine. But those are for photo shoots – not for real life. Instead, focus on what’s comfortable and functional for you, your family and your guests.

Focus. Find an inspiration around which to focus your design, whether it be a piece of furniture, art or a meaningful antique. By planning your design around your most prized items, you can maintain focus and stay true to your style.

Wow ‘em with white. Nothing brightens a room like a touch of white. By simply adding a white throw pillow or towel to a room, you can make it feel cleaner, brighter and more luxurious.

Think in 3-D. Don’t forget that every room has three surfaces to consider: the walls, floor and ceiling. Each helps establish the mood.

Cast the best light. Even the best design can look shabby in poor lighting. Choose good lighting to maximize your surroundings.

Look ahead. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades tend to offer the most return on investment when it comes time to sell your home, so don’t overlook upgrades like tile and cabinetry.

In todays Real Estate Market Do you remodel and stay……. or sell? How do you know if your remodeling dollars are well spent and how much can you expect to recoup from your investment? Well according to the 2009 / 2010 survey published by Remodeling magazine, here’s how it breaks down:
For a mid-range priced home, you can expect the average cost and recoup for the following projects:
Average Cost vs Expected Return on your investment
Bathroom Remodel $19,000
Recoup 60% of your costs

Bathroom Addition $48,000
Recoup 56% of your costs

Garage Addition $72,000
Recoup 63% of your costs

Convert a Bedroom to a Home Office $32,000
Recoup 47% of your costs

Major Kitchen Remodel $65,000
Recoup 72% of your costs

Minor Kitchen Remodel $24,000
Recoup 76% of your costs

Window Replacement (vinyl) $13,000
Recoup 74% of your costs

Backup Power Generator $17,000
Recoup 75% of your costs