In these economic times fewer homeowners are starting complete kitchen remodeling projects, but a lot are still replacing their countertops and re-facing cabinets. And, according to a recent home remodeling and repair report by servicemagic.com, they are also investing in more energy efficient home improvements.

All for good reason: Money is tight, lending standards remain strict and in this sluggish housing market you might not get back as much of your home remodeling investment when you sell.
It’s totally different than the days when home-equity lending was plentiful. Nowadays, before doing anything, people are carefully considering how they should spend their money.

Here are some trends on the home remodeling front:

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling

Some homeowners are still going through with full kitchen or bathroom remodels these days, but that’s not the norm. A lot of people are making do with what they have, or choosing to spruce up a few things instead.

Re-facing cabinets and updating the cabinet hardware have always been options for home remodeling on a budget.  A lot of consumers are still gravitating toward granite countertops, but other less expensive countertop materials that are still attractive are available.

For those considering resale values, it might be best to go for minor repairs and upgrades. Doing all the high end remodeling may not get you the return on your investment that you were looking for because right now you really don’t want to be the most expensive house on the block in this market.

Energy Efficient curb appeal
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2008-2009 Cost vs. Value report, some of the best bets for recouping money when you sell are replacement projects that improve curb appeal.

Upgrading windows also can make a home more energy efficient. ServiceMagic has seen more interest in projects including insulation and solar-panel installation, which cut energy bills and are likely eligible for government tax credits, according to the company’s report.

And some homeowners are investing in home energy audits, for a comprehensive view of what can be done to increase efficiency.

For more information on home remodeling projects in today’s housing market, contact Acclaim Renovations, the home remodeling/renovation experts of The Woodlands Texas today at (936) 271-0507.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 2:27 pm and is filed under Home. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.