The # 1 construction project for homeowners in Toms River NJ

The # 1 construction project for homeowners inToms River NJ!!!

Kitchens get a lift with revitalized cabinets and countertops

Move aside, bathrooms! Step back, master bedrooms. For the first time since 2008, kitchens have become the #1 remodeling project for homeowners, according to the "Fall 2012 U.S. Remodeling Sentiment Report" from RemodelorMove.com.

A renovated kitchen enhances your client's living experience by modernizing and beautifying the heart of their home. And, it adds value to their house while delivering one of the top amenities buyers search for when house hunting. But before your clients dive into a complete renovation project, revitalizing the cabinets or upgrading countertops is sometimes all that's needed for remarkable results.

Though it's tempting to discard existing appliances when giving a kitchen a facelift, rethink the idea. If the appliances are workable, clients should keep them and save an average of $1,000 to $5,000, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Also keep the present location of major fixtures, appliances and utilities relative to the plumbing, gas and electrical outlets as rearranging plumbing, wiring and jacks can be very expensive.

Homeowners should consider the following, more affordable, alternatives to create enticing kitchens to prospective buyers:

Give Cabinets Cachet

• A popular option is to reface the cabinets, which involves applying a new wood veneer to the cabinet bases and installing new doors and drawers. There are many companies that specialize in this and it improves the look dramatically. When it comes to refacing kitchen cabinets, it's usually cheaper and quicker than buying new. However, this may only be a good option when the current cabinets are of higher quality (they are of solid frames, doors, and drawers are fully self-contained with closed backs and reinforced corners). Many companies offer refacing services with a plethora of design and color choices — and this usually takes only one or two days to thrust a tired kitchen into the twenty-first century.
• Painting the current cupboards is another option if they are of quality, well-constructed wood. Professional painters can do the job or homeowners can easily — and affordably — transform the entire look and feel of their kitchen cabinetry with several new, DIY products such as Rust-Oleum^® Cabinet Transformations^® coating system. Their innovative coating system completely changes the look of old, worn cabinets without stripping, sanding or priming.
• Whether you opt to reface or paint cabinets, nothing adds more pizzazz than kitchen jewelry: knobs and handles. These pieces of hardware can make cabinets assume a new identity just by through choice of style or finish. Though knobs are easier to install over handles, because only one screw is needed and the spacing therefore does not need to be exact, either way a new set of hardware makes all the difference. Door handles and/or knobs should match the finish of the appliances and other kitchen features. When buying hardware, homeowners should pick up a couple additional pieces in case any need to be replaced in the future. And, when choosing the finish for your hardware, homeowners should think about what style will look best in their home. If the style is traditional, brushed finishes, polished brass, nickel or pewter will complement the décor. If they have a more contemporary décor, they should choose finishes with an enameled or high-gloss-metal shine or theme hardware to blend with the overall look of the kitchen.

Make Countertops Count

While granite and marble remain the most popular choices for kitchen countertops, young homemakers are opting for a surprising number of chic, new countertop choices. The hottest countertop materials available today include:

• Poured Concrete — Stain resistant when sealed, they are relatively inexpensive and can be tinted to any color. Appearance improves with age, but while the concrete is heat-resistant, the sealer is not. It requires trivets under hot pots and cutting boards for chopping.
• Butcher Block — Elegant yet casual and environmentally friendly, butcher block requires monthly seal
• ing and oiling to prevent drying or cracking. Its soft surfaces require cutting boards, but cleanup demands only mild dish detergent and a l
  ight cloth or sponge.
• Reclaimed Wood — Salvaged from older homes, reclaimed wood is attractive, sturdier than newer wood, and saves trees. It requires the same maintenance as butcher block.
• Cork — Dense, sturdy and lightweight, cork is a sustainable option with sound-cutting properties. It is resistant to water and heat and has antibacterial properties.
• Stainless Steel — Elegant, sleek and classy looking, these counters are water, heat and germ resistant. Susceptible to dings and scratches, they show every fingerprint, but maintenance requires only washing and polishing.
• Soapstone — A natural stone quarried like granite, soapstone is a softer surface that is sturdy but not impervious to dents and scratches, which may be sanded or oiled away. The color is naturally gray and darkens with age, offering a smooth, matte feel.
• Recycled Glass — Like reclaimed wood, this is a 'greener' choice, available in many beautiful colors and patterns. With a life expectancy of 50 years, it is easy to clean and care for. This option is a bit cheaper than granite.
• Pewter — Offers a less clinical look than stainless steel, but is softer and susceptible to nicks and dents, although a hammered, antique look can mask damage. This muted, dark silvery color looks good in any kitchen.
• Slate — A natural, fine-grained rock, slate is softer than granite but harder than marble. Resists bacteria and cleans with soap and water, but is not entirely heat-proof.
• Quartz — An extremely scratch-resistant mineral, easy to care for and clean. Needs no sealing and has a long lifetime and more unique look than granite.
• Surface Restoration — There are companies which specialize in surface restoration — be it laminate, tile, solid surfaces, or cultured marble — these specialists offer an endless variety of colors and finishes at a fraction of the cost to replacing existing countertops.

No matter which materials are chosen, designers suggest that if you are making updates to your kitchen in an effort to appeal to prospective homebuyers, it’s best to choose neutral colors for cabinets, countertops, walls and appliances. Not everyone likes sunshine yellow cabinets or magenta quartz countertops!

The #1 construction project for homeowners in Toms River NJ is a post by Tony Busanich is a loan officer with TD Bank, a portfolio lender from Maine to Florida. You can trust TD Bank to deliver a superior mortgage experience. Whether you’re purchasing or refinancing, we provide straightforward, easy-to-understand products and advice, allowing you to make smart borrowing decisions that meet your needs today and tomorrow. My web site at www.tdbank.com includes mortgage rates updated every morning. You can run different scenario that  include monthly payments, different programs and closing cost. Please contact me at 908-300-6660 or by email at anthony.busanich@td.com and on my web site at www.tdbank.com