Jodi Danziger Kansas City Realtor

6 Most Popular Projects Home Owners Target With Remodeling

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Kitchens and bathrooms remain the top jobs home owners are taking on in remodeling projects, according to a new survey by the National Association of Home Builders.

The top remodeling projects of home owners, according to the latest survey of remodelers, are:

1. Bathrooms

2. Kitchens

3. Window/door replacements

4. Whole house remodels

5. Room additions

6. Handyman services

The report’s finding of the main motivation behind home owners’ decision to remodel is not too surprising: To repair and replace old components and to upgrade amenities.

But more than 20 percent of remodelers surveyed said they’ve been noticing a drop in the number of customers who are remodeling to try to increase their home’s value.

The survey is yet another indication that more home owners are happy staying put–at least for now–and instead are looking at how to enhance what they already have.

Nearly half of the remodelers surveyed said they’ve been seeing an increase over the last year in the number of home owners who are undertaking remodeling projects so they can avoid moving.

“Home owners are repurposing spaces and making more efficient use of their home’s square footage,” says NAHB Remodelers Chairman George “Geep” Moore Jr. “Whether it be young families or couples aging in their homes, people want to let their house adapt with their needs as they change over time.”

According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, home remodeling is expected to post its best year this year since 2006.

But while home owners want to enhance, they also want to save.

“Before it was curb appeal, showiness and keeping up with the Joneses,” Duo Dickinson, author of Staying Put: Remodel Your House to Get the Home You Want (Taunton Press), told USA Today in a recent article on remodeling trends. But now more home owners want their homes to reflect who they are. “The house is the most direct mirror of your personal values. When people renovate to change their lives, they waste money.”

These more “me-centered” remodeling projects may include livening up outdoor spaces, creating “livable kitchens” that are multi-purpose and make the kitchen serve as a room for more than just cooking, and smaller master baths (like removing that luxurious spa tub for a larger shower)

Also in saving a buck, more home owners are looking at doing more of the work themselves. According to a new report from Bank of America, 70 percent of home owners are taking on home improvement projects that they once hired out in order to cut costs, tackling everything from plumbing to painting.

Moving Fido: 5 Useful Tips to Remember

At the Move Advocate we think of our pets as an extension of our family. Chances are many of your clients think the same way. So when they are preparing to move cross country it is only natural that Fefe or Fido would be joining them. We need to remember that moving isn’t just stressful for us; it is stressful for our pets too. So where do our furry friends fit in the mix of all the mayhem of moving?

When it comes to moving pets, pre-planning is very important as animals can be very sensitive to changes in their surroundings. Here are five top things to keep in mind as a pet owner moving with pets.

1. Make Friends with the Travel Crate
Whether you travel by car or by air, the crate your pet travels in will be his “home” during the trip and it’s crucial that your pet feels comfortable in it ahead of time. This is the most important step and as soon as you know you’re moving, it’s a good idea to get a crate if you don’t already have one. This way, you can start getting your pet used to their new home well in advance. This will help your pet’s stress levels on your move date. If you are unsure how to crate train many pet stores offer training classes. Additionally you can try feeding your pet in the crate on a daily basis to help ease the transition.

2. Pick a Frequent Fido Flier
Why should you get extra leg room for yourself but not for your pet? Select an airline that offers first-class accommodations for pets traveling in the cabin or under the plane. There are many pet-friendly airlines that keep pets in climate controlled conditions throughout the flight which ensures that every pet will arrive safely at its destination. In fact there is even a pet only airline called PetAirways.

3. Arrange a Jet-Setter Check Up With Your Vet
If you’re making a trip across state lines or international borders, you’ll need a health certificate issued the week before the flight. Most states require pets to be current on their rabies shots. For international trips, the documentation for importing or exporting pets can be even more complex. Planning ahead and consulting a professional pet relocation company can ensure that your trip goes smoothly.

4. Say No to Sedatives
Because we love them so much we want our animals to feel comfortable, but giving them a sedative is more for our peace of mind, not theirs. Your pet is much more likely to deal better with their anxiety without medication. The truth is giving your animal a sedative prior to travel can be very dangerous. The most common tranquilizer, H-acepromazine has very serious consequences for traveling pets: it relaxes the respiratory muscles which makes breathing more difficult, it could lead to over-exertion just for breathing, which will lower blood sugar, and it alters the body’s temperature control mechanism.

5. Packing for Your Pet
Packing for a pet is not unlike packing for a child you do not want to over prepare. Just the essentials. Make sure your dog has tags that list your mobile number, or better yet get them microchipped. If your pet is traveling in the car with you measure out their everyday kibble in serving-sized bags and bring two portable bowls and plenty of water for the road. Other must haves include an extra leash, an ample supply of your pet’s regular medications and supplements and plenty of biodegradable bags to pick up after your pooch during rest stops and walks.

No matter if your move is big or small it is important to do your research and make plans accordingly when moving pets. This can make all the difference, resulting in a well transitioned pet and a less stressed pet owner. Contact Move Advocate today for more information and for help in moving your clients and their pets safely.

(courtesy www.moveadvocate.com)

Kansas City is not one of the 10 largest metropolitan areas in the country (not even close — 27th), but it does boast one of the nation’s largest urban parks. That’d be Swope Park, which at 1,805 acres is more than twice the size of New York City’s 843-acre Central Park.

True, Kansas City is also not Manhattan. But it’s easy to forget just how many attractions can be found inside Swope: the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theatre, Lakeside Nature Center, Kansas City Community Gardens, Southeast Community Center … not to mention (OK, we will) park amenities like golf and disc golf courses, a pool, ball diamonds, soccer fields and various trails. Get out and explore.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/20/3564081/50-things-every-kansas-citian.html#storylink=cpy