Vinyl Siding Tricks

Here are two tricks to make an inexpensive vinyl siding job look high-end:
1. Side the corners in a contrasting color to the siding.  We recommend a color other than white - our suppliers can provide the aluminum stock for the casings around windows in off-white, so the corners and casings can match.  This will make the siding job look closer to a regular paint job.
2. Although you can't usually paint vinyl in a darker color (due to its potential to warp), you can get away with painting a small amount in a darker color.  After a siding job is done, we often go back and paint the top and bottom J-channel (the 3/4" molding that transitions between the siding and window casing) in a dark, contrasting color.  For a gray sided house with white trim, as in the photo, we paint the J-channel red or brown.  For a sage-sided house with off-shite trim, burgundy or brown is a good choice.
These small details make the difference between a siding job looking 'budget' and boring, or high-end and creative.  We also provide color consultation on painting existing siding jobs (painting the trim has the biggest impact and is the easiest to do if you plan colors carefully and make sure to stay in the same range of brightness.)

New Development Project

We're excited to have things slowly getting underway on our new development project, a 3 family in Somerville that we'll be converting into condominiums.  The property is in great shape - its been in the same family for 60+ years, and although it is 100 years old, it had many of its systems replaced in the 1980s.  What's most exciting about the project, though, is that the property has been under-occupied for years.  So we're actually adding housing stock to the local market, and by condo-converting, we're lowering the cost of home ownership in that area.  Look for updates on the process and our progress in the coming months.

LEED Green Associate

I signed up for my LEED Green Associate training today and hope to take the exam within 3 weeks.  This is the first step of several in the LEED Credentialling program. (LEED stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" by the way.)  We've always tried to use sustainable building practices (renovating existing buildings rather than demolishing them, using bamboo instead of hardwood flooring, reusing material when possible, and donating useable products to friends or reStore are just a few examples) and to maximize the energy efficiency of our renovations.  With LEED Credentials we'll be able to participate in a rating system that demonstrates and documents our commitment to green building principles.

Inexpensive Frameless Shower Doors

Many clients are against installing shower doors. Some don't like the look (they think of the gold-and-frosted-glass shower doors from the 1980s), while others just prefer the look of shower curtains. But shower doors have gotten a lot more attractive in recent years. There are high-end looking frameless glass doors available for as low as $250 per pair.  They install quickly, look amazing, and glide smoothly for years.  Regardless of personal preference, I always recommend installing them - especially in a small bathroom.  Glass shower doors make the space appear larger and more modern, and they never get moldy.  Sure, some of your buyers will prefer curtains over doors.  But none of them are going to decline to buy your home because you have modern-looking glass doors instead of a shower curtain, while a bathroom that appears small or outdated can easily kill a deal.  

Kitchen Staging Brainstorming

A small amount of time and materials could make a huge difference in this kitchen. The uneven lines and unusual layout of the cabinets, combined with the clutter, outdated fan, paint color, and mismatched appliances are make this kitchen seem underwhelming. Here's what we'd do to make it shine:
-- Move the cabinets to align across the top, and add a wine rack under the small cabinet on the left. (We'd use the cabinet above the table to make the wine rack.) Add inexpensive knobs for a more finished look.
-- Paint the walls a neutral light gray to bring out the warmth of the cabinets.
-- Use heat-safe black enamel spray paint the stove to match the microwave.
-- Replace the ceiling fan with a modern multi-light fixture from one of our discount retailers.
-- Hide away the countertop appliances and clutter (when selling your home, you should have no more than 1 large or two small appliances out on the countertop.)  We'd also put the water cooler in storage (a Brita pitcher in the fridge works just as well) while the house is on the market. These minor inconveniences are a small price to pay for a quick sale - just remember, it's temporary.  As soon as the home is under contract, you can bring them all back out again.
-- We'd punch up the facelift with some red accents in the decor.

The total cost for this facelift would be around $650 in materials and labor.  The improved kitchen would add at least $4,000 to the owner's bottom line, and would help the home sell sooner.