S&P/Case-Shiller: Home prices continue to fall
Home prices continue to weaken, as eight cities hit their lowest levels since the peak in 2006 and 2007, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices.
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http://www.sgc-ecms.com/ecms/redirect.cfm?LID=380346&SID=2991711
Industry icon Mark Richardson’s inkprint will be spreading to Professional Remodeler Magazine – read all about it
No more McMansions, just added space that is functional, well appointed, and cost effective. That is the result of our informal survey of Phoenix area homeowners. Rather than move to a newer and larger home, “ just make this one work better”.
What types of added space are most often mentioned? Here are a few:
1. Home office
2. Larger laundry area with function cabinetry and work platforms.
3. Informal eating areas close to kitchen
4. Guest suites that include an added bedroom and bathroom.
5. Storage Storage Storage
6. Game rooms or play areas for the kids
7. Outdoor kitchens
In a time of fiscal awareness, function is the keyword. Additions must have a purpose that solves an issue. Whether it eases the storage burdens of a growing family, provides a bit more productivity as with a home office or laundry room, or grants the in-laws and/or guests more comfort when they visit, homeowners are once again asking for functionality and value, and rejecting massive and meandering square footage.
For more information on this topic from Better Homes and Gardens, click on this link
http://bldr-media.com/portal/wts/cemceFa-DTibaCru-feQ8ka-yQ4Fgb
Here is an interesting article about some of the thought process used when planning a room addition to your home. More articles can be found at http://www.additioncompany.com/Arizona_Addition_Company/Blog/Entries/2010/12/21_Room_Addition_Considerations.html
Room Addition Considerations
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Why build a room addition? There are many ways that this simple question can be answered. You love your Phoenix neighborhood and you want to stay put for a while is probably a part of the the answer. The kids are growing up and need their own rooms, you need an area to entertain, the in-laws want to get out of the snow and visit more often… Whatever the reason, simply put, you need a room addition.
Now that you have the hard part figured out, how do you get started? Well, there are many things to consider when planning for a home addition. Generally, one of the first things that you want to think about is the lot that your home is built on. The jurisdiction that you live in will usually put limitations on how much space you can take up of your lot, and where on the lot you can take up that space. These restrictions usually come in the form of a percentage of lot coverage allowed, and building setbacks. Any requested deviations from these rules often require a zoning “variation,” which can be a lengthy process, taking months to complete.
If you live in a neighborhood of Phoenix that has a homeowner’s association (HOA), they will have a set of rules that you will need to abide by as well. Typically an HOA is mostly concerned with the architectural features of your addition. Ideally, they would like for the room addition to have features that match and blend with the existing house, all while improving the value of the neighborhood. Such features may include the stucco, paint colors, window color & style, roof line, roof type (shingle/tile/flat), etc.
These are just a couple of the many topics that will need to be addressed while planning for your room addition. A little research into these subjects will certainly yield the answers and help to give some planning direction.
http://www.additioncompany.com/Arizona_Addition_Company/Blog/Entries/2010/12/21_Room_Addition_Considerations.html
Tagged addition builder, design, remodeling, Room addition, Scottsdale contractorsIf you could waive your magic wand and add another room to your house, condo, or apartment, what type of addition would that be? How would that room be used. Storage? Office? Home entertainment?
AP Builder recently announced that it would offer free roof inspections to all homeowners during the month of June.
Rain is infrequent here in AZ, and it is easy to forget that the sun is taking a heavy toll on flat roofs, shingles, and tile roofs alike. Homeowners can make certain that their roof is ready to protect them by taking advantage of the free roof inspection. Call 480-985-3287
More info at http://www.ap-builder.com/site/service/10
It is a long held belief that the term “Bid” just doesn’t work well in our business. When someone seeks a bid from us, he is usually without a set of specifications or any other non-verbal means to define the project.
The term ”Bid” places a focus on the dollar amount of a project, oft times foreshadowing an indifference to the quality of the design, the materials, and intangibles that create the lasting value of a project.
A “Proposal”, on the other hand, indicates the existence of a thought process, a communication stream, where creativity and planning converge with budgetary considerations. The “Proposal” suggests value well beyond the purview of a “Bid”.
Its still a few months away, but we need someone to be a volunteer organizer for this year’s ALS Walk.
I propose we dedicate the event this year, and every year hereafter, to the memory of our dear friend, Jim Marino.
Jim lost his battle with ALS last October, but the memory of his infectious laughter, side splitting story-telling, and generous heart will live on forever.
Please help in organizing and recruiting walkers and donors. The goal is to raise enough money to assist the researchers in ending this terrible disease.
In a May 10, 2010 press release, the valley’s two leading roofing suppliers announced a buyout agreement.
Read more at http://www.abcsupply.com/Media/Default.aspx?id=3932
AP Builder, a design/build remodeling firm located in Mesa, Arizona recently announced a new dealer relationship with Medallion cabinets. This deal results in a broader cabinet product offering to AP Builders customers, and opens up a relationship with Medallion’s parent company, Elkay.
Elkay will also be a primary supplier to AP Builder of plumbing fixtures, closet organizer cabinetry, and bathroom vanities.
AP Builder VP of Operations, Ty Vance, declared that “this arrangement will make it possible for AP Builder to offer its’ remodeling and building customers access to the industries leading products at very attractive price points.”