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Many high-tech, high-priced home security products are available today. Fortunately, there are less expensive - but no less effective - ways to protect your Lancaster County, PA home, too.
Check out these smart home security tips!
Eliminate Hiding Places.
Keep all entry points to your house well lit.
Trim shrubs and trees that could provide cover for an intruder. Trim tree limbs that could enable intruders to gain entry via an upper-floor window or balcony and keep items such as ladders locked inside the house.
Don’t be an easy target.
Burglars want to hit the easiest target on the block so give them reasons to skip your house.
Home-security decals or “Beware of Dog” signs are good deterrents. Home security alarms are also good.
A subscription to a monitoring service is a good idea, but even the sound of an alarm is often enough to scare off a thief.
Lock windows and doors.
Department of Justice statistics report more than half of all burglaries occur with no sign of forced entry -- meaning a robber was able to enter the house through an unlocked door or window.
Use a heavy-duty deadbolt that is bolted to the door frame with three-inch screws.
Appear to be home.
When you’re away, have someone pick up your mail and newspaper or have them stopped for the duration of your trip. In addition, have someone mow your lawn. Also, use timers to turn specific lights on and off in the house to make it seem as if someone is home.
Know your neighbors.
Make sure neighbors know when you’re planning to be away and how they can reach you in an emergency. Leaving an extra key with a trusted neighbor is a good idea. It’s better than hiding one under a mat or in some other outdoor hiding place.
The new year is quickly approaching! In the spirit of change, we decided to put together a list of some of the kitchen remodeling trends that are in store for 2012. The general contracting we do here in Lancaster County, PA brings us into a variety of kitchens every year. We get to experience first hand these growing trends, and have decided to discuss the following topics - Design Styles, Appliances, Colors, Cabinetry, Countertops and Lighting.
Design Styles - A recent survey done by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has shown that remodeling clients really are looking for "a multi-functional space, which reflects their individual style. One component of this trend is the integration and concealment of appliances, which opens the kitchen floor plan, embracing adjoining areas of the home, rather than becoming an intrusion into them. The economy continues to encourage homeowners to consider products and designs that are affordable and deliver long-term value."
Traditional style remains the most popular kitchen design, although it has dropped slightly in popularity compared to last year. Shaker style, which is characterized by its simplicity, un-ornamented yet functional, finely crafted style, overtook 'contemporary' style in 2011 as the No. 2 most popular kitchen design style, and that trend should continue into 2012.
Appliances – Concealed appliances, such as warming drawers and steam ovens are more popular than ever. By hiding appliances away during your kitchen remodel, you allow more space to incorporate multiple guest functionality. Kitchens are fast becoming a warm gathering place for the clients family and friends.
Colors - Stainless steel will continue to be a favored choice for your kitchen appliance finish. It has been used in kitchens for over 100 years. This is due to its universal appeal, its ability to provide a sterile surface and its shiny appearance. All of this has helped forge its association with luxury.
The next most used color is currently black. It usually gives the space a more formal appearance in relation to the rest of the common areas of your home. The top 5 colors list is rounded out by grays, beiges, and bones.
Cabinetry - Maple cabinetry looks to be the front-runner in 2012. As for finishes, various shades of white/off-white hues, some finish distressing or glazes remain popular. Dark natural finishes also have been trending. Light natural and colored painted finishes also remained fairly common.
Any of these finishes can help contribute to a comfortable and relaxing kitchen many homeowners and buyers are looking for.
Countertops - Natural stone and quartz counters remain remodeling prospect favorites, but other renewable and recycled materials, such as laminate, concrete, paper, glass and stainless steel are seeing increased interest. Consider a low-maintenance surface to help cut down on cleaning and disinfecting time!
Lighting - LED energy-efficient lighting options continue to rise in popularity. Not only do they offer fresh, modern designs, they also help you save money and energy!
Thank you for reading our blog! I hope these trends will give you some fresh ideas to spice up the new year. If you have any questions or are thinking it is time to remodel your kitchen in Lancaster County, PA, please give us a call!
-Matt Blank
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
[717].[371].[5136]
At least that is the question a lot of homeowners we meet with ponder: Should I move to a new home, or remodel the home my family is in now? Well, since we at MBC do remodeling in Lancaster County, PA,
you should definitely remodel… JUST KIDDING!
With our housing market still down, you don’t want to rush into any decisions involving your largest asset. Does your family like the area and how long do you plan on staying in the home? You want to consider not only what your family will gain from your choice, but also the financial investment you stand to gain down the road. Your family’s well-being and overall happiness should always be at the heart of your decisions.
If your spouse, the kids and yourself love the neighbors and neighborhood, their school and your distance from work, changing the layout or adding space to your home by remodeling is probably a better choice. You will improve your enjoyment of your own home without losing your perfect location.
How long do you plan on staying? The investment in remodeling your home could take 5-10 years to fully appreciate in value, depending on what type of project you are planning. Spending $10,000 on remodeling will not add $10,000 to your homes value. There is no set percentage of gain from project to project or location to location. Kitchens and baths are always the best investments because people spend a lot of time there. Keep in mind you could always break down large projects into smaller sections, or lessen the scope, such as a kitchen re-facing versus a complete remodel.
Also, keep in mind that if your home is already the nicest in the neighborhood, putting on a room addition or renovating the kitchen will really not add much value to the home, only to your enjoyment of it. Now, if you are in a less valuable home, you can remodel to be average or above average with the other homes in the area. One example would be adding another bathroom if you currently have 2 but the others in the neighborhood have 3 to 4.
You must find a balance between Enjoyment & Investment Return to help steer your decision. Talk with an experienced contractor and real estate agent to get opinions and figures on the actual costs you are looking at. Take a look at this list Pro’s and Con’s to consider when you are thinking of remodeling or selling your home:
Remodel:
Pros:
• You will see at least some return on your remodeling investment when you go to sell your home.
• More functional home, plus you will increase everyone’s enjoyment of it.
• Makes your home fit your family’s lifestyle better.
• Stay in neighborhood/school district you like,
Cons:
• Certain projects pay off more than others.
• Don’t upgrade beyond what your neighborhood is worth – a $500,000 home in a $200,000 area won’t return the cost of remodeling. If your home is already the biggest and nicest around, it will not appreciate much more when remodeled.
• Remodeling is an invasive process.
• May take 5+ years to fully increase your home’s value.
Move:
Pros:
• The layout you are looking for is already there with no time or work to be done.
• Your budget is the only limit on the size, style and area you move to. Depending on lot size, etc, you may not be able to remodel your current home into the dream you envision.
Cons:
• Real estate fees– real estate commissions, taxes and closing costs; plus minor improvements in new home, furniture & window treatments, movers, etc
• Selling your current house.
• Cost of moving - time, money and energy spent moving
Free Resources:
Check out these free resources to help guide your decision whether to move, or to remodel.
Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value 2011 report.
This site compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale. Choose your state to display data for one of 9 regions; choose any one of 80 U.S. cities to download a PDF with local data.
RemodelorMove.com’s Cost Calculator.
Here you'll find home remodeling and moving cost comparison tools, articles with advice and tips on remodeling and moving and more.
Thank you for reading our blog. When the time comes for your home remodeling project here in Lancaster County, PA, please call MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC at [717] 371.5136.
Dreaming of your own fantasy island here in Lancaster County, PA? No, I don't mean the island with white sandy beaches, palm trees and sun... a kitchen island. They are increasing in popularity here; and with the interest both the attractiveness and innovations of kitchen islands continue to grow. Centrally located, islands are easily accessed and ideal for kitchen tasks such as food prep, cooking, clean up and entertaining. Here are the newest kitchen finds and options to consider when building or turning your fantasy island into a functional, stylish workspace.
Create Levels - Multi-level islands are becoming increasingly popular since most homeowners not only want a work area, but also an informal place for entertaining guests. With the kitchen as one of the main gathering areas in a home, your guests will be able to sit, chat or rest their beverage glasses on the high-top counter, while the lower tier of the island features an ample work area and storage area.
Be sure to incorporate enough drawers and shelves below the work area to keep key ingredients, utensils and your favorite cookbooks right at your fingertips.
If you love to entertain, consider adding a wine refrigerator to maintain proper temperatures for your reds and whites. You could also use the other side for seating like the picture above shows.
Turn Up the Heat - Installing cook tops as part of your kitchen island brings counter top burners within easy reach, while also creating room for amenities below, such as additional storage or warming drawers.
Easy Clean Up - Install a sink and faucet in your kitchen island to make food prep and clean up quick and easy.
Top It Off - Add character to your island countertop with a dramatic surface finish, such as granite, metal, solid-surface, marble and new custom, hand-applied finishes with unique designs, such as full circles and waves.
Finish off your counter with a thick butcher block, making it an easy spot for all your cutting needs.
With a few island innovations, you’ll make the most of your kitchen space and create your own, customized fantasy island! When it's time to do your kitchen in Lancaster County, PA, please contact MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC.
