Palmetto Construction and Renovations
Q: What are the popular renovation projects your clients seem to be asking for this summer?
A: Kitchens and master suites continue to be big in terms of adding to the value of a home. Also, very popular is the addition of an outdoor living area. This has really become an extension of the home and often includes outdoor kitchens with full cooking capabilities, as well as fireplaces for year-round enjoyment. Add some accent lighting, a few nice fans, and you have the perfect spot for entertaining or spending quiet evenings with the family.
The Art of Real Estate
Q: What is a “Seller’s Market”?
A: A seller’s market is a market where there is less than a two-month supply of houses for sale. With low interest rates and a surge of employees able to work from wherever they choose, there are more buyers than homes for sale. Whether you are a buyer or a seller in a seller’s market, having a REALTOR represent you through the process is a valuable asset.
Woodley’s Garden Center
Q: Can anything really be turned into a planter?
A: You can upcycle just about any item around your home and turn it into a living work of art. Old furniture, shoes, buckets, bathtubs, typewriters, tires, miscellaneous cookware, and more. With a little bit of imagination, nearly any object found around your home that can hold soil and has drainage can be used as a container garden!
Casual Living
Q: What kind of wood is best for outdoor furniture?
A: Tectona grandis is a dense hardwood grown in Indonesia. Its common name is teak, and it is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to rot. Teak used outside is unfinished and will fade to a silver grey but will always retain the natural brown tone under the exterior layer of weathering and, thus, can be restored to the original color. Unlike those woods which are sold as “teak-like,” teak will last decades in the weather.
Ace Glass
Q: What are my options for partitions to protect customers and employees against the spread of COVID-19?
A: One option is a simple plexi shield with a stand. These can be customized to your space, can include pass-through for money transfer, and are easily transportable. Another option is metal framing and tempered glass permanently installed in your business. Both are great options that will help keep everyone safe.
Palmetto Tile
Q: How do I infuse personality into my tile selections?
A: Using color or playing with unique shapes is a great way to infuse personality into any space. Dynamic colors and shapes are being introduced in tile. You can be as bold or subtle as you like. It’s all about balance: if you choose a bold color palette, install it in a traditional pattern. If you choose neutral tiles, be brave using unexpected shapes like an elongated hexagon. Enjoy the space you’re in. Be intentional yet fearless with your design.
Paradime Construction
Q: Is now a good time to build a custom home?
A: The short answer is — yes. Interest rates are at an all-time low. Lumber and other building materials are at an all-time high. It will cost you more to build now than anytime in the past. That statement will pretty much ring true always. Yes, lumber is a commodity and fluctuates with supply and demand, but I don’t believe that if lumber goes back to normal pricing the cost of homes will drop by significant amounts. All building materials go up over time, and we have seen other materials rise more than normal this past year, but I have never received a letter from a supplier saying that there will be a drop in cost — ever. This is why I tell people who ask me this question — Yes, it is a good time to build.
Capital Kitchen and Bath
Q: How much will my kitchen renovation cost?
A: There is no simple answer to this question. Each project is customized to the needs of the homeowner, and costs vary based on design and materials used. Find a local licensed general contractor who offers turn-key remodels and builds, professional design, quality products, and skillful installation. Be sure to ask for a no-charge job site visit and estimate. This will give your contractor insight on what they feel the project will cost, based on a range of what clients typically select. The rule of thumb for homeowners looking to remodel a kitchen is that you will spend 5 to 15 percent of your home’s value.
Top Hat Sweepers
Q: When buying a house that has a fireplace, is a separate inspection of that fireplace and chimney needed outside the one performed by a home inspector?
A: Great question! When you purchase a home, you expect to get a clean house with clean kitchen, clean floors, and a clean toilet. Having a clean chimney is not something you should take for granted but it is something you should include in your purchase plans. Although some home inspections do not cover fireplaces and chimneys at all, some inspectors recommend sweeping and inspection but often this is not noticed. You have the right as a homebuyer to ask for a swept chimney but be aware that this does not always include an inspection, which should be based on the National Fire Protection Association standards. Requesting an inspection and sweeping if indicated by a qualified chimney sweep is definitely recommended.
