Nips Tucks On The Home Front

Remodeling fever is running high in my neighborhood.

Two friends who live close by are having new kitchens put in. On a recent morning walk I spotted three new roofs going on, applications at separate addresses for, respectively, a 2-story residential addition, a new solarium, and a hot tub under a palm tree. Three homes had been stripped to their bare joists and are little more than carcases awaiting some “fleshing up”. Several yards were being relandscaped.

An increase in the number of people staying put and making improvements to their existing homes rather than looking for a new address is often a result of an uncertain property market.

If you’re planning to have work done on your home — whether as preparation for selling it or just to enhance your creature comforts, I highly recommend Angie’s List to source contractors. I have recently found an electrician and a decorator through the list and both provided impeccable, reasonably priced service.