remodeling

Today's Market Ready post on NYTimes.com is all about trying to sell a house with a less-than-desirable layout. Should you remodel it first, or leave it for the buyer? Their advice is spot-on, and is even something Metamorphosis has done before: get some plans drawn up to show potential buyers the possibilities.

Sam's at it again - she'll be hosting two FREE educational classes in March and April at Natural Built Home in Minneapolis. Learn about selling your green home in today's market, or the pros and cons of remodeling your basement or attic. More info on our Event page.

Green Real Estate - March 22, 2012, 6:30-7:30pm, at Natural Built Home (4020 Minnehaha Ave, Mpls).

Your Green Remodel: Basements and Attics - April 19, 2012, 6:30-7:30pm, at Natural Built Home (4020 Minnehaha Ave, Mpls).

Even the White House needs a revamp every once in a while...but did you know in 1948 it was in danger of completely falling apart? "By the time Truman became president, the decay could no longer be ignored... Engineers declared the whole house to be in imminent danger of collapse.” It took three years to completely remove and replace the interior of the White House, while the president lived across the street.

More fascinating photos at Retronaut.com.

Do you subscribe to Mpls+StPaul Magazine? Look for us in this month's issue in the Building Beauty, Creating Value section, their feature on NARI's 2011 Contractor of the Year award winners. See the full feature on our Media page.

Did you miss Sam's spot on MPR's Midmorning with Kerri Miller today, where she discussed "Winter home repair help" with John Trostle, FHA-certified home inspector? Listen to the broadcast archive below, and visit our Media page to find past broadcasts. Visit MPR.org to read the live chats.

Samantha Strong will be making another guest appearance on MPR's Midmorning with Kerri Miller this Friday, January 27, from 10:00-10:45. John Trostle, an FHA-certified home inspector, will be joining her again as well and they'll be answering listeners' questions on winter home repair.
Be sure to tune in Friday at 10am, or keep an eye on our Media page to listen to the broadcast's archive.

We're proud to show off these photos of a recently completed kitchen remodel near Lake Nokomis. Click here to read all about it and to see more stunning before & after photos.

Wondering what the hottest color to put on your walls next year will be? Color experts have already narrowed it down to their top three: Bold Blue, Vibrant Green*, and Magestic Violet - all colors inspired by nature.

(*Looks like Morph was ahead of the trends?)

Via Styled, Staged & Sold, a blog hosted by REALTOR® Magazine.

This great infographic by One Block Off the Grid does a great job comparing the upfront costs, savings and payback times of various 'green' home upgrades. Obviously, solar, geothermal and other large-scale projects have the highest up-front costs and longest payback times, but there are a few winners when it comes to low investment and quick returns: high-efficiency shower heads, programmable thermostats, and sealing & insulating air ducts. These small upgrades start saving you $200-$300/year, each!

Click to see larger.

Introducing Morph Experts: A weekly blog feature where a "Morph Expert" answers some tough questions about their field. Everything home related - real estate, leasing, construction, and design!

How much should my kitchen project cost?
by Morph Expert: Samantha J. Strong

I get this question a lot. "How much should I budget for my kitchen?" That is a loaded question, since everyone's situation is different. It's not a question of if you have the money, it's how you should spend it. In this market, with the volatility we've seen, the last thing I'd suggest to do is sink more in to your house than you can reasonably expect a return on. Generally speaking, a kitchen renovation will recoup 80% of your expenses. Obviously, a DIY project will recoup much more, while a project done by a company charging high Profit & Overhead will recoup less (and that's a whole different conversation, to be addressed later).
The first question I ask is, "How long are you going to stay in this home?" Of course, life happens and no one knows for sure, so unless I hear an adamant "They'll be taking me out of here in a box!" then we approach the project more conservatively. A really basic budget guideline for a kitchen renovation is about 10% of your home's value, or what I call The 10% Rule, give or take a few thousand. If you want to go out and splurge on the best of the best, go right ahead. But remember, when you go to sell (you're not in your last house, right?), the next buyer likely won't be willing to pay much more for that honed slate countertop or Viking range.
So this 10% Rule is just a measure to help guide your decisions.

On the flipside, a kitchen done by a contractor will cost more than doing it yourself, and probably more than you thought it would. There will be a lower limit of what it costs to get new cabinets, countertops, flooring, electrical, plumbing, and even heating. If the number still is too high, maybe it's time to revisit the scope of work (do you really need to open that wall?) or look for more affordable appliances (black is an attractive substitute for stainless and shows less fingerprints).

We do a little calculation of our own here. On every project, I do a "gut check". If the numbers and the results don't make sense for the value of the home, it's time for a heart-to-heart with the homeowners. Maybe it's time to reduce the scope of work, or even consider moving as the best long term plan. You see, I can't sleep at night if we're only helping you get yourself into a resale nightmare. We want to work with you again and again, each time making smart, attractive improvements to the biggest investment of your life.

By Morph Expert: Samantha J. Strong, EcoBroker® & General Contractor.

Do you have a question for a "Morph Expert"? Submit it here.