This list is pretty extensive and will continue over several days. You may want to check out my previous entry on this topic:
- Bathrooms and kitchens sell houses and add value. Why then would you build a bathroom that is too small and awkward to get around in? And, be sure to use appropriately sized fixtures and fittings. Don't put a small sink in a huge bathroom, and likewise don't use up small space with over sized vanities, tubs and toilets.
- Don't ignore the lighting sources in your room. If you have a small, dimly lit room with small windows or no windows they you won't want to paint the room a dark color.
- Another mistake a lot of people make is choosing the latest and trendiest products without taking into consideration their longevity. Have you ever spent a ton of money on something you loved so you would be in style only to wear it once and then it's out of style. I used to have a pair of suede peter pan boots, platform shoes, 6" stiletto heels and a mini skirt (ok, that was a long long time ago) and I seem to recall spending a lot of money on, at least the boots, but they weren't in style for very long. The same goes for decorating your home. Keep in mind how long the style will be around and perhaps accent your room with inexpensive touches rather than spend a lot of money decking out your whole house in something that won't be in style next season.
- When you are planning your door ways be sure you keep in mind the whole floor plan and not just that particular room. Keep in mind traffic patterns and in high traffic areas that the door ways are wide enough for two way traffic, and rooms have adequate ways to get in and out of them. Also keep in mind the furniture you have or plan to purchase when you are planning your openings so that your items can be easily moved in and out of rooms.
- Probably one of the least expected things when you are renovating your home is chaos. Depending on the level of your renovation you'll have several trades people coming in and out of your home and you may not be able to use certain areas of your house. A friend of mine recently had a kitchen addition added to his house and they have not been able to use the dishwasher or the stove for three weeks. Now, for a busy family of 4 that could be a huge deal. When I had my kitchen renovated in my old house I planned for it to be done while I was on vacation so that I wouldn't have to deal with the chaos. However, best laid plans didn't go the way I wanted to and when I came home I found the kitchen cabinets in my living room and the kitchen only partially finished because of some other issues that couldn't have been foreseen prior to the renovation starting.
- That last statement brings us to another mistake people often make and that is not budgeting for contingencies. Once the old kitchen had been removed and the wall opened to put in new windows the contractors found termite damage. In fact, the only thing holding up the back wall and roof of my house was some old 1920's clabbord siding (that was too hard for the termite to eat), the window and the asbestos siding. The entire back wall of my house had to be replaced and treated for termites.
Stay tuned as I continue the series about renovation mishaps!
Between now and December 31, 2008 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's who enter into a contract to purchase a home closing in January to February. This is a $350 value. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent. Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.
June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.
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