The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing from the California Association of Realtors about the value of a remodel.

A recent resurgence of several big ticket projects including attic bedroom and basement remodels with average prices tags of $49,438 and $62,834, respectively, shows that consumers are signaling confidence in the value of remodeling.

What are their home remodel projects of choice?

Attic Bedroom Remodel:

72.9% remodeled their attic bedroom in 2013.

84.3% remodeled their attic bedroom in 2014.

Deck Addition:

77.3% built a deck addition in 2013.

87.4% built a deck addition in 2014.

Home Office Remodel:

43.6% added a home office in 2013.

48.9% added a home office in 2014.

Bathroom Remodel:

65.2% remodeled their bathroom in 2013.

72.5% remodeled their bathroom in 2014.

Basement Remodel:

70.3% remodeled their basement in 2013.

77.6% remodeled their basement in 2014.

Check out our great home redecorating tips you can do to your home today. Comment on the blog and let us know which redecorating tip you are going to take advantage of:

• If you’d like your nightstands or end tables to be a little less crowded, replace table lamps with floor lamps when redecorating. They are portable. Table lamps are attractive but take up a good bit of the limited space a table has. There are many elegant choices that you can enjoy while adding the light you need to spruce up your home.
• Mount your TV on the wall. It can free up quite a bit of space. If you follow the directions, this redecorating tip will take a minimal amount of time.
• If you are redecorating your bedroom, consider purchasing furniture that is freestanding. Custom made furniture may look nice but you cannot resell them or take them along when you are moving. Free-standing furnishings also give you more options for redecorating, as they can be moved from room to room, refinished, or sold.
• Painting is an affordable way to give a room a fresh look quickly and easily. Visit a home improvement store to study a variety of paint chips. Choose the ones that appeal to you and have fun. If you wind up not liking the results, you always have the option of painting over it!
• Give your kitchen a personalized appearance. Create a uniform look in the kitchen with attractive containers for all those items on the kitchen counter like flour, sugar and pasta; add a matching tray for oils and vinegars. If your kitchen doesn’t have an island, redecorating with a movable trolley with a big slab of stone or butcher block on top of it.

No matter what your home redecorating project is, be sure to keep everything in perspective. Think hard about the reason for any given project, and consider how it might make your life better or easier. You need to be committed to making home improvements, and it’s important you are putting your time to good use.

Is your home in the perfect location but the layout isn’t quite what you would picture as “ideal”? The Lawhead Team has some helpful remodel tips.

If you bought your home at the right time, chances are renovations made to your home will only make your value go up. Remodel efficiently by modifying existing space where it is feasible or building up rather than out. Check out some tips to remodel your home the smart way:

1. If you don’t have a first floor restroom in your two-story home, you may be able to fit in a half bath in a small four by four foot area. Do you have a large coat closet or under stair cubby that you don’t necessarily need? That might be the best spot for your extra half bath.
2. Your master bedroom may not be so “master” to you. The remodel solution is to steal another bedroom to expand your bath, closet, or main part of your bedroom.
3. Expand your home by building a remodel over the garage. This may not be the least expensive of choices, as you will need to remove the roof, beef up your structure, and then build a whole new roof on top of your new room. It does, however, save you from digging a whole new foundation if you were to add a room on the ground floor.
4. If you are in need of an extra bedroom, this may not be as costly as you imagined. An extra bedroom remodel does not require plumbing, tiling or appliances other rooms do. If your attic is large enough, this may be the best place to make your new extra room!
5. Is your kitchen too closed off or small? Since the kitchen is the main hub of a home, a kitchen remodel will likely pay off if done correctly. Try removing the wall between the dining room and the kitchen which can make room for a peninsula or island.

The Lawhead Team came across some helpful tips on home improvement from US Bank.

When looking to make home improvement projects to your home, knowing what projects will be the most cost-effective and valuable will help benefit you in the long run if you decide to sell.

Update your home and take away that dated look. The renovation of dark or dated kitchens is one of the most profitable home improvement projects you can make.

Refinance your mortgage and take advantage of the low rates. If interest rates are lower now than when you closed on your current mortgage, you may be able to save money by refinancing.

Updating your bathroom is a great home improvement project that is both profitable and easy. Another great idea is to add a second bath as this is a significantly profitable home improvement.

If you are planning on making the following home improvement projects, see how long they last:

• new chimney: 100 years or more
• asphalt shingles: 15 to 30 years
• a wooden deck: 15 years
• ceramic tile or terrazzo: 100 years or more
• vinyl flooring: 20 to 30 years
• oak or pine floors: 100 years

If you have to buy new appliances, see how long they generally last:

• refrigerators: up to 20 years
• microwave: 10 years or more
• stove: 15 years or more
• washer and dryer: about 13 years

Spending a little extra on something such as an energy efficient refrigerator, will end up saving you money over time with the lower electricity bills.

What types of home improvement projects have you made on your home? Please comment on our blog and let us know!

We know that your home is your haven and a place you want to keep looking its best as it is a reflection of who you are.

We have found a few simple and easy solutions to making the best of your space in your home however big or small it may be.  Check out our tips:

If you’d like your nightstands or end tables to be a little less crowded, replace table lamps with floor lamps. They are portable. Table lamps are attractive but take up a good bit of the limited space a table has. There are many elegant choices that you can enjoy while adding the light you need to spruce up your home.

Mount your TV on the wall. It can free up quite a bit of space. If you follow the directions, this will take a minimal amount of time.

If you are remodeling your bedroom, consider purchasing furniture that is freestanding. Custom made furniture may look nice but you cannot resell them or take them along when you are moving. Free-standing furnishings also give you more options for redecorating, as they can be moved from room to room, refinished, or sold.

It is possible to inexpensively clean up the look of worn kitchen appliances. Stainless steel is very popular, do not get rid of your refrigerator because you do not like it. It is actually possible to purchase inexpensive spray paint for appliances that can transform their look. This can quickly update your kitchen’s look.

Painting is an affordable way to give a room a fresh look quickly and easily. Visit a home improvement store to study a variety of paint chips. Choose the ones that appeal to you and have fun. If you wind up not liking the results, you always have the option of painting over it.

Legitimate contractors have insurance – avoid any that do not. If they cause damage to your home without having insurance, you must take them to court in order to get your money. Any reputable contractor will be able to show you proof of insurance on demand; don’t hesitate to ask for it.

No matter what your home improvement project is, be sure to keep everything in perspective. Think hard about the reason for any given project, and consider how it might make your life better or easier. You need to be committed to making home improvements, and it’s important you are putting your time to good use.