Now Is A Great Time For Home Improvements
November 25th, 2009 categories: Personal Notes, Seller Resource
Now it is a great time for home improvements. You may ask…Home Improvements…isn’t that a summertime thing? Typically, it may be, but I have a few reasons why now is a great time to undertake such tasks.
MATERIALS COSTS: It seems that every time I walk through Lowe’s or The Home Depot, prices keep coming down. Everything seems to be discounted; from energy efficient compact fluorescent lights, to big ticket items such as washers and dryers, and even necessary items like roofing materials. If you want to replace a front door, or some windows, this could be a great time to buy materials. We find that high end products, such as travertine tile, granite countertops, and high end appliances are seeing larger discounts than more necessary items.
CONTRACTORS MAY HAVE “WINTER RATES”: This is a slow time of year for many contractors. With that said, we know some that offer “winter rates” because they have fewer jobs, and more competition. The contractors know the value of each job, and they also know that time spent making money is better than time spent giving bids on jobs that are not competitive. They also know that a job well done will likely lead to referrals.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: With the unemployment rate, there are fewer contractors, and they are usually eager for new customers and new work. Also, with a higher level of unemployment, demand for goods and services is down, so the contractors have fewer opportunities for jobs. This could work in your favor, and help the local Sonoma County economy as well.
TIME: If you plan to undertake some of these tasks yourself, it may make a lot of sense. Since the night comes earlier and earlier now that we have moved our clocks back, I find myself to be in earlier than in the summer. All of this inside time may be a perfect time to undertake some interior home improvements. I stress interior home improvements, as I think it is a bad idea to do outdoor tasks in low light, especially if you are using power tools or working with electrical items. It is better than sitting on the couch watching TV right? If you are looking for something as simple as repainting a room, or replacing a bathroom cabinet, these could easily be done by the average do it yourselfer.
We think these suggestions are great for the typical homeowner who wants to add value, and also for the seller who wants to put a premium product on the market. In this current market of multiple offers, we think this could really pay off when it comest o higher offers.
If you have any questions about Sonoma County Real Estate or if you need a referral to a quality Sonoma County contractor, please feel free to contact us here or visit the Wine County Business website.
