PDX Renovations

Category: Blog

  • Portland is the Place to be??

    Portland is the place to be??

    Portland is hot. Not literally, but it is a popular destination for relocation. According to United Van Lines, during 2013 Portland saw 42 percent more inbound moves than outbound during the peak summer moving season, placing it second in the nation for net migration. That was back then, now it is estimated that 400 people move to Portland each week. This places it as the #2 most popular destination for movers. A thriving tech industry is considered the primary catalyst for this trend. While the tech epicenter remains Northern California, companies and workers are fleeing cost-prohibitive Silicon Valley in increasing numbers. Millenials and retirees alike are also being lured to the Rose City by its green spaces, expansive mass transit and vibrant arts community.

    “The Portland metropolitan area grew by 111 people a day from July 2014 to 2015, the Census Bureau estimates” – Metro News.

    We are reaching the 2.4 million dollar mark and it’s not stopping any time soon.

    When homebuyers are vying for such a small supply of available homes, it is not uncommon for a couple to show serious interest in a home one day only to discover that it has been snatched up the next. Thus, some are looking beyond Portland’s borders, where inventory is a bit larger. Let’s face it, our area is growing whether we like it or not.

     

     

  • Update your home

    Update your home

    What to do first?

        Depending on your situation, there are a few different ways to go when updating your home to 2017 standards. Obviously, if you plan to stay there for 10 to 15 more years, you can space out what remodels you really want to do to make it a better place for you and your loved ones to live. Perhaps each year with your tax returns you tackle a different room. Or use your work bonus to spruce up the house every couple of years. Doing major remodels and renovations is much different than just changing the wall color or refurbishing the deck. Major remodels take time, money and plenty of patience so it’s important to pick and choose wisely. Of course, you’d love to update your home, but do you have the time, money and patience? Sure, everyone would love a modern 2017 kitchen or a luxurious bathroom.

         Now, if you are looking to sell your home and need to do some updates, there are a few things you should be aware of. What makes your home more valuable? Quartz, Granite, tile, new kitchen, stainless steel appliances, new vinyl windows…we could go on and on.  Do you realize that most homes built today are already updated to today’s standards. Chances are if you bought a house even just ten years ago, your cabinets, floors and woodwork are all out of date.

        So why do you think your house is worth just as much as the new one being built down the street. It’s simple. You take pride in your home and what you have done to it. It’s perfectly normal to have this misconception, but when it comes time to sell, many of us will be disappointed that we can get as much money as the house across the street with the granite kitchen and new hardwood floors.

        All it takes to update your home is money. Sounds easy, right?  Now you have to find the right contractors who will not only keep on budget, also keep on your precious time-line as well. And then think about putting it on the market, after all that time and money you spent sprucing it up? There’s other options out there and a quick visit with one of our acquisition team members can help give you the best options for you and your family when it comes to selling. Perhaps you can keep that extra money in your pocket and save yourself the headache of updating your house yourself.

       Please give us a call today and see what we can do for you. We won’t ever waste your time.

     

  • Spring is in the air

    Spring is in the Air!

     

    It’s time again for spring cleaning so let’s talk clean air!

     

    Most of us don’t even think twice about our furnace, chimney, air ducts, carpets, etc. But for the millions of people who have allergies, asthma or other chronic breathing conditions, taking good care of the air around you is very important, not only for your family, but for visiting friends and relatives.

     

    Getting your furnace updated, ducts cleaned and chimney swept will also help keep your house cleaner and more appealing to buyers (if you are intending on selling, of course) Knowing the house has been well maintained is a big deal to a lot of potential buyers and they will be happy to see proof and documentation of just that.

     

    Leading HVAC specialists recommend these maintenance steps for better efficiency and cleanliness:

    Change your filter at least once a year, twice is better.

    Have your ducts cleaned and inspected once a year.

     

    ** Educate yourself about duct cleaning by contacting some providers and asking them for information.

     

    Did you know that the government gives breaks for energy efficiency? This actually isn’t breaking news, it’s been going on for a decade, but it’s worth your while to do your homework and find out what kind of tax breaks you can get for various updates in your home. Maybe take some of the tax return money you received this year and put it into something that will give you a break next year.

     

    Carpeting? Do you think it’s time to upgrade to hardwood floors? Everyone is doing it. Hardwoods are cleaner and much more sanitary than carpet. For allergy prone individuals, hardwoods are the way to go. Today there are many options in any price range.

     

    Got pets? Do you know fleas hibernate? Even in the winter, they are there, even though you may not see them. Spring is a good time to bomb the house and the yard for a fresh start to the warm weather season. Also, maybe it’s time to get the couches cleaned and dander free!

     

    Cleaning out the chimney. Do this every spring to prevent house fires and creosote build up in your chimney. Most companies charge a fairly minimal fee so save yourself the hassle and call a professional.