PDX Renovations

Category: Blog

  • Housing crisis What’s Next? PDX Renovations Can Help!

    Housing crisis

    Not again? Experts are now saying that Supply is the Next projected “Housing Crisis” in America.  The Housing market has gone completely in the opposite direction as the last crisis in which millions of Americans found themselves upside down in homes and mortgages.

    Truly that was more of a “Bad financing” crisis than what’s happening today.

    First-time homebuyers are being crowded out because the number of “Starter” homes on the market has declined 43.6% in the past four years.

    It’s simple. The homeowners who want to take the next step into something bigger or better just can’t afford to get to the next level. The number of “trade up” homes on the market is also down about 40% in the same time period.

    “Meanwhile, mortgage lenders (despite record low rates) are still reluctant to extend credit to less than superb borrowers.” Myles, Udland, Business Insider

    What does this mean to you, or the first-time homeowner? Down payments are difficult to save and people just aren’t committed to staying in one area.

    When the economy is bad, people feel the instability and that means not wanting to commit to a mortgage a lot of the time.

    Why buy a house and move when your job could be eliminated or a lay-off could occur any day. There are plenty of reasons to fear an unstable economy and being a homeowner can be scary.

    Is Portland feeling the pinch of this new crisis? Or Vancouver for that matter? Ask your friends and family who may be looking for a home in the area? There are just not enough houses at the right price points to go around.

  • Air Quality in your home | Call Us Today Here At PDX Renovations LLC

    Air Quality in your home

    Air Quality in your home. Spring is in the Air! It’s time again for spring cleaning so let’s talk clean air! How is the air quality in your home?

     

    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. The Air quality in your home may have a huge factor in your health.

     

    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 carpets. 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.

     

     

     

  • Renovation Estimates

    Renovation Estimates

     

    Just like anything else in life, unless you are educated and knowledgeable in specific areas, you truly don’t know everything. And subsequently, sometimes you don’t know the true cost of things. For example, getting your car’s brakes done. Do you know how much the markup on pads and rotors is? Or when ordering wine at a restaurant, do you know it’s a 200-300% markup on your favorite wines and spirits?

    It’s the cost of doing business. Everyone does it.  Now, imagine the big picture. Big dollars…maybe you need new drywall in your living room because a pipe bursts or your roof leaks. Your electricity goes haywire. Until you get a few different estimates, you truly don’t know how much it will cost you and how different each bid can be.

    For example. Getting a concrete bid. Sure, each company will probably tell you a set amount that is very similar to the next guy’s as far as how much the concrete will be, but the contractor will then add in delivery fees, labor, mileage, etc. And each estimate you get can vary by hundreds of dollars.

    It’s always a wise idea to get 3 to 5 bids whenever doing any kind of home repair job.

    Don’t feel bad for having them come out and give you an estimate. It’s their way of marketing themselves and keeping prices down for the public. Besides, if they want your business, they will work for it. It’s not a monopoly by any means. Getting estimates is also a good way to get comfortable with someone in your space with your family and belongings.

    Now, you’ve got your estimates and compare costs, labor, timing, etc. You can go even further and use the internet for reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and anything else you might need to know. When you pick the right contractor, the real work begins.

    Make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. We all joke about the famous “two weeks” Sure, it could take two weeks, but more times than not, something will come up, and it will take a bit longer. Is the hired contractor going to bump up your bill and inflate it for the extra time they put in?

    What if something happens beyond their control? Who pays for mistakes or do-overs? Do they offer a warranty on their product and services? These are important things to think of as well.

    Of course, your network of friends and family can always give great reviews and referrals, so don’t just pick up the phone and hire the first company you talk to.

    You’ll save money and headaches down the road by doing it right and getting a few different estimates first!

    PDX Renovations – Portland Oregon