How to Remodel Your Kitchen in Three Days (Really!)

How long does a kitchen remodel take? On average, four to eight weeks—long enough to become sick to death of takeout food options in your area. But it doesn’t have to be that way. These days, a kitchen remodel can be done in the far shorter time span of a mere three days. That’s right! Three. Days.

OK, maybe you can’t do a full gut renovation in that span of time, but you can certainly give your kitchen a whole new look over a long weekend. Here’s how, with renovation tips and cool products that are easy (and cheap) to install.

Give your cabinets a face-lift

Many homeowners love their kitchen layout, but they simply desire an updated look. Enter the cabinet makeover. Most existing cabinet boxes are in excellent condition; it’s just the exterior color that’s outdated.

By leaving these cabinet boxes intact and building off of them, homeowners get a whole new look in three to five days.

You can simply paint the existing kitchen cabinets. Or you can swap out just the doors.

Another option is the Home Depot Cabinet Makeover program. Here’s how it works: “The makeover keeps the base cabinets in a kitchen, but includes new custom doors, drawers, and drawer fronts, hinges, and glides,” says Eva Rich, Home Depot’s interior program merchant. “Existing cabinet boxes are refaced via a lamination refacing process.”

Give your kitchen cabinets a face-lift. Photo from HomeDepot.com

Meh kitchen cabinets before a quick makeover… photo from HomeDepot.com

The best part about all three options? You’ll have full use of your kitchen before and during installation.

HomeDepot.com

The cost: The average cost to repaint cabinet doors runs about $1,000. To buy new ones, prepare to spend around $70 to $100 per door. Ikea’s Bodbyn door costs $80 and has a beveled panel for a traditional look.

A cabinet makeover varies by layout and desired features, but the cost is typically only a few thousand dollars. (Remember, it generally costs $30,000 for new cabinets.)

Time it’ll take: Painting cabinets can take three days, a lot of which is drying time allowing for other kitchen work to get done. Swapping out doors takes a half-day. Plan on a few hours to meet with experts in your home in the beginning of a cabinet makeover. Then once the new doors arrive, installation takes about three to five days.

Upgrade your countertops

Don’t have the time or cash to replace your laminate countertops? Paint them instead! Or you can add adhesive onto your current countertops that looks just like real slab granite, only without the high price.

“It’s so simple, yet adds a realistic granite look that elevates your counters for a fraction of the cost,” says Sophie Kaemmerle at real estate site NeighborWho.com.

The cost: To paint countertops, you need to spend about $100 for sand paper, primer, paint rollers, a gallon of acrylic interior paint, and polyurethane seal. Granite adhesive typically costs $40 to $120, which is way more affordable than real slab granite. It’s also a breeze to install—almost the same as applying contact paper, but at a much higher level of quality.

Time it’ll take: About 2 hours for the work. Several days for the paint to cure.

Install new hardware

Photo by Elizabeth Lawson Design.

“Unscrew old hardware and take one knob or pull to your local hardware store,” says Megan Neugebauer of letspaintfurniture.com. Have a store attendant help you measure the length between the holes. This will ensure your new hardware will match up perfectly with your existing cabinet holes.

“You can add blasts of color by choosing knobs in the color du jour, like navy and dark green, or go whimsical and quirky with animal figures,” says Sayre Ziskin of SVZ Interior Design.

The cost: Small drawer pulls may cost as little as $5, although the price can rise depending on the size and finish. An 8-inch Edgecliff Pull in natural brass from Schoolhouse, for instance, costs $44.

Time it’ll take: Plan for six hours total. Shopping will take several hours, as will installation.

Add a peel-and-stick backsplash

HomeDepot.com

Adding a peel-and-stick backsplash is as simple to install as it sounds.

“It’s a great way to easily and quickly update your decor,” says Home Depot’s Matt Kunkle. Just make sure the tiles you select are heat- and moisture-resistant.

The cost: A 4-pack of Metro Campagnola Mosaic Wall Tile Backsplash that covers 2.20 square feet costs $26.95.

Time it’ll take: 2 to 3 hours.

Upgrade your lighting

Photo by Synergy Building Design.

“Changing a light fixture in your home can take less than 20 minutes and yet makes some of the biggest differences to a space,” says Mark Luongo, owner and project Manager at Luongo Electric.

Many older homes have small fixtures, leaving rooms feeling dark and gloomy.

By replacing them with a new, higher-output LED fixture, the color of your walls can appear different and the wood grain in your furniture can pop. Also replace old or broken plugs and switches.

“There is nothing uglier—and more dangerous—than broken counter plugs and stained cover plates,” says Luongo. For a couple of dollars a unit, replacing your plugs and switches makes your home safer and gives it a new look.

The cost: Price varies, but to give you an idea, an Amanda 3-Light Kitchen Island Pendant costs $153.99.

Time it’ll take: Plan for 20 to 30 minutes a fixture and about 10 minutes per outlet. Always hire a licensed electrician if you are not comfortable dealing with electricity.

Replace your faucet

Photo by Kitchen Kraft

“Hardware styles and even the metals used can date your kitchen today,” says J.B. Sassano, president of Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly company.

Bring your sink up to date with a new chrome, stainless-steel, brushed-aluminum, or even a dark nickel sink faucet. This small change will do wonders for your kitchen’s appearance.
The cost: A chrome Project Source pull-down kitchen faucet goes for $79.

Time it’ll take: 2 hours. Here’s more on how to replace a kitchen faucet.

Finally, floors

HomeDepot.com
Consider putting luxury vinyl plank, or LVP, flooring over a worn-out tile or hardwood kitchen floor.
The new LVP flooring looks just like wood but is 100% waterproof and scratch-resistant. It is also easier to install, so it’s less expensive than previous options.
Cost: The above Woodacres Oak flooring is available at Home Depot at $59.98 for a case that covers 20.06 square feet.
Time it’ll take: You can lay an LVP floor in a 10-by-20-square-foot room in 2 or 3 hours.
Contact The McLeod Group Network at 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com for ALL your Real Estate needs!
By: Realtor.com, Margaret Heidenry 

The Feeling You Get from Owning Your Home

We often talk about the financial reasons why buying a home makes sense. But, more often than not, the emotional reasons are the more powerful and compelling ones.
No matter what shape or size your living space is, the concept and feeling of home can mean different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent or a favorite chair, that feeling of safety and security you gain from owning your own home is simultaneously one of the greatest and most difficult to describe.

Frederick Peters, a contributor for Forbes, recently wrote about that feeling, and the pride that comes from owning your own home.

“As homeowners discover, living in an owned home feels different from living in a rented home. It’s not just that an owner can personalize the space; it touches a chord even more fundamental than that.

Homeownership enhances the longing for self-determination at the heart of the American Dream. First-time homeowners, young or old, radiate not only pride but also a sense of arrival, a sense of being where they belong. It cannot be duplicated by owning a 99-year lease.”

Bottom Line
Owning a home brings a sense of accomplishment and confidence that cannot be achieved through renting. If you are debating renewing your lease, let’s get together before you do to answer any questions you may have about what your next steps should be, and what is required in today’s market!

Starting the search for your new home? Let the professionals with The McLeod Group Network help you find your dream home! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com

By: KCM Crew

9 Surprising Things Everybody (Yes—You, Too) Forgets When Renovating Outdoor Spaces

I don't know about you, but once the thermometer ticks past 70 degrees, a lightbulb goes off in my head: Is this the year, I ask myself, that I can finally build the outdoor space I deserve?

Of course I can! And so can you. With a little work, you'll soon be grilling in your outdoor kitchen or reading in a hammock on your sunny patio.

But don't drop the ball: There are some elements commonly forgotten during an outdoor renovation that can ruin it all. Go through this list before breaking ground, to ensure your backyard space is up to snuff. And get ready to enjoy the summer!

1. Proper lighting

Photo by Native Son Design Studio 

You'd think being able to see at night would be an important patio requirement, but you'd be surprised how often lighting systems are skipped.

"Many homeowners spend time and money creating an outdoor space but forget about this key element," says Joe Raboine, the director of residential hardscapes at Belgard.

Consider first how you intend to use the patio. If you're hoping guests might linger over long conversations, provide low lighting around your seating nooks. And if your backyard BBQ plans involve lots of late-night drinking games (because, why not?), illuminate the entire space with string lights.

2. Electricity

Nothing is worse than planning your perfect patio layout—complete with a keg cooler, botanical garden-worthy lighting, and a show-stopping Christmas display your neighbors will never top—only to realize you forgot one essential element: electricity.

"Be sure to install a few electrical outlets for supplemental holiday lighting or just working on a laptop," says architect and interior designer Leslie Saul.

And no, you can't just add one outlet and be done with it. Will you want speakers? A fridge? A TV? Make sure everything has juice.

3. The position of the sun

Photo by Prime Design Tasmania Pty Ltd 

You can't bask in the sun if there is no sun. Before constructing the patio of your dreams, pay close attention to the trajectory of that big ball in the sky.

"The location of the sun relative to an outdoor area is one of the most important elements to consider when designing an outdoor living space," says Shaun Gotterbarn, an architect with Alisberg Parker. "Understanding the sun’s path throughout the day and studying the shadows cast by trees and neighboring buildings allows you to make sure you have your seating area in the perfect place."

4. Outdoor storage

Photo by Harrison's Landscaping 

Once temperatures dip, it'll be time to store away all the things that made your outdoor space an enviable destination to begin with. But unless you factored in storage space from the jump, you might find yourself shoving patio cushions into your kids' closets and gardening tools into your pantry.

"Lots of water-resistant outdoor storage allows for a beautiful, clean outdoor space," says patio designer and blogger Eric Clark. "You need multiple easily accessible areas to store outdoor cushions and throw pillows and protect them from rain and mildew."

Or, build your storage into your patio design. If you're adding an outdoor kitchen, leave plenty of cabinet space for your outdoor must-haves, or construct custom cabinetry that blends seamlessly with your siding.

5. Drainage

Here's a shocking secret: Your patio is outside. Where it rains. And rain loves to wreak havoc.

"When rainwater pools on your foundation, you’ll find yourself not only dealing with a safety hazard, but also eventually, you’ll need to redo the entire groundwork," says Robert Himmaugh, manager of Acadian Windows & Siding.

Prevent damage by installing a gutter around your patio roof—if it has a roof, of course—and by paying attention to drainage. Your patio should slope away from your home's foundation, and the ground should slope away from your patio base, as well.

6. Privacy and noise

Photo by Wolf Design Studio 

Plan on throwing raucous parties in your new outdoor space? Good for you—unless you've built it right next to your neighbor's backyard.

Alternatively, maybe your neighbor is the one throwing the ultra-loud parties. Consider building your outdoor living space on the opposite side of the property, allowing you to enjoy your evenings quietly reading, not growling about the sixth keg stand (so far).

Of course, in a tiny backyard, you might not have many options. Get clever about your construction to add privacy and reduce sound.

"Vertical gardens can double as fences, and water features can mask noises," Raboine says.

And Saul recommends adding trellises, on which you can grow beautiful climbers, like clematis. That's a two-for-one deal: privacy and style.

7. Utilities

Adding utilities, like gas lines for BBQs and water lines for your wet bar, can be a pain. But installation is significantly easier if done during construction.

"Think about their location before you start construction," Gotterbarn says. Even if you're not building a kitchen now, you might want to later, so make sure all necessary utilities are easily accessible.

8. That winter view

Sure, your patio offers a fantastic summer view. But what will you be staring at come winter?

"For those of us who live in northern climates, our patio may be shut down for half the year, although we will be looking at it all year long," Clark says. "Often we're staring at ugly furniture covers protecting mini-mountains of clustered furniture, half covered with snow."

To save your eyes this sadness, Clark recommends choosing decorative outdoor lighting (weather-resistant, of course), landscape rocks, and colorful all-weather chairs to "focus the eye on more interesting views, as you stare at the patio through the window while cooking dinner."

9. Future plans

Chances are, your gorgeous outdoor space is just a fraction of your eventual dream landscape, Saul says.

"It's always good to create a master plan, even if you don't plan to implement it all at once," she says. "Then you'll know what infrastructure to install early, so you'll be ready to go later, without all the mess."

Do you plan to turn your rocky sideyard into a gorgeous grassy expanse? Consider in-ground sprinklers. And if you're dreaming about a koi pond, water pipes can turn that fantasy into reality. You can design around the empty space, leaving it unimpeded for whatever your future brain cooks up.

Contact The McLeod Group Network for all your Real Estate needs! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com


By: Realtor.com, Jamie Wiebe

5 Things to Know So Your Septic System Won't Destroy Your Yard—and Everybody Else's

Just because you have a septic system doesn’t mean you need to be an expert on it. But the real septic experts wish you knew at least a few things. And not just for their sake, but for yours. A little knowledge can go a long way toward preventing massively expensive (and massively gross) issues down the line.

We talked with the pros who service septic systems every day to dig up the most important dirt you need to know.

1. Know how your system works (please)

“What you have in your backyard is your very own water disposal plant,” says Kim Seipp, who owns High Plans Sanitation Service, in Strasburg, CO, with her husband. “When you live in the city, [your waste] goes away and you don’t think about it. It goes to a municipal plant and all kinds of great things happen to it. With a septic system, all that happens in your backyard.”

To give you the basics, everything that goes into your tank naturally separates into three layers.

“Anything heavier than water goes to the bottom, anything lighter goes to the top, and there’s a nice, clear liquid in between,” says Seipp.

Over time, of course, the sludge at the bottom “gets thicker and thicker,” Seipp says.

And that’s why you need a good inspection—and pumping—every now and then.

“It’s like changing the oil in your car. You just have to do it,” Seipp says.

2. You can't put anything you want down your toilet—or garbage disposal

Correction: You can, but it’s not a wise idea.

Everything that goes down your toilets, as well as your shower and sink drains, makes its way into your septic tank. If it can’t physically travel through the pipes, you’ll have a major clog on your hands.

The list of what not to flush encompasses more than you might think. For instance, “you should not flush thick paper down the drain at any time,” warns Jack Pruitt, franchise business consultant and operations specialist for bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. That includes feminine hygiene products and baby wipes. “Doing so can cause costly repairs.”

Heavy use of your kitchen garbage disposal is also a no-no. Food waste, coffee grounds, and greasy or fatty foods will have a tough time breaking down in your septic tank. And the bacteria that grow as a result of these items stewing in your septic tank can prevent your system from working the way it should. (Hint: Toss food waste into a compost pail instead.)

3. Know the location of your septic tank so you don't crush it

“The septic tank and field lines are typically installed in areas near the home, and it’s very important that every homeowner knows where they are,” says Glenn Gallas, vice president of operations of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly Company. “That way, you can prevent driving over it with vehicles or equipment, which can crush them and prevent them from operating properly.”

You’ll also want to avoid planting trees or bushes over or near the area. Effluent—the wastewater that leaves your septic tank to be slowly dispersed underground—contains rich organic matter.

“The roots will seek out those nutrients,” Gallas says. And in doing so, those roots could easily wrap around the pipes of your septic system, setting the stage for disaster.

4. Using less water will help your system work better

Your septic system is responsible for distributing and disposing all of the water that flows through your household. To put that in perspective, Gallas points out, the average person will use up to 70 gallons per day.

If you can reduce that number, you’ll reduce the amount of wastewater your system has to deal with.

To do that, consider replacing your standard-issue toilets with high-efficiency ones. That's because regular toilets use up to 20% to 30% of the water your household consumes. High-efficiency toilets can cut that water usage in half, Gallas says.

You’ll also make a difference by waiting to run your washing machine or dishwasher until they’re full, and switching to low-flow shower heads and faucets.

“Reducing the flow even a little will save you thousands down the road in expensive septic repairs or replacements,” Gallas says.

5. Ignoring your septic system can wreak havoc on the environment

If you neglect to take care of your septic system, it’s not just your pipes (or your family) who’ll suffer. Failing septic systems can pollute nearby bodies of water and contaminate local drinking water. In fact, the second most-cited contamination source of groundwater is septic systems, Gallas says.

To make sure your system isn’t one of them, perform preventive maintenance regularly—and frequently, Gallas says. The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years and typically needs to be pumped every three to five years.

Contact The McLeod Group Network for all your Real Estate needs! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com 

By: Realtor.com, Stephanie Booth

Ready to Remodel? These Home Renovations Will Pay Off the Most (and the Least) in 2019

New year, new home renovations? Whether you're getting ready to transform your entire kitchen into a farmhouse-chic dream (hello, shiplap and apron sink!) or maybe just to add some new wood floor for the foyer, it pays to know what kind of return on investment your home renovation might deliver. According to Remodeling magazine's annual Cost vs. Value report, not all home remodeling projects deliver the same bang for the buck. Far from it, in fact.

So which projects give you the biggest return on investment these days? This year (like last), the No. 1 finisher was garage-door replacement. While not as fabulous as a full-kitchen remodel, this project essentially pays for itself, earning you a whopping 97.5% of your money back.

For this report, now in its 32nd year, researchers analyzed 22 popular home improvements in 136 markets nationwide. The magazine polled contractors on how much they charge for these jobs, as well as real estate agents on how much they think these features would boost a home's market price. They then used those figures to calculate what percentage of its cost each project might recoup—or not.

As it turns out, the price of a few key projects skyrocketed from the last year, while their value dropped, says Clayton DeKorne, chief editor of the JLC Group (which includes Remodeling magazine) and manager of the report. In other words, Americans might spend more on certain renovations and get back a lot less of the money they spent.

So what's going on?

According to DeKorne, President Donald Trump's new import tariffs on steel, lumber, and other building materials are destined to jack up renovation costs all round, leading to thinner margins on their return. Plus, as the housing market wobbles towards a peak in market prices, homeowners are less likely to renovate their homes, and real estate professionals predict that the renovation market will tighten.

"The economy is a little chaotic right now, and homeowners are holding their breath," says DeKorne. "People are very cautious to enter the market, which affects the willingness [of] people [to] pay for projects big and small."

Overall, the report found that in 2019, Americans should expect to make back 66.1% of the money they spend on renovations—a slight bump from last year's 65.8%.

And the report found that for some projects, the ROI is really worth it, especially those improvements that the whole neighborhood can see—in front of your house.

"The primary points of the evidence show us that curb appeal projects add to overall value of the house more than interior projects," DeKorne notes. "It's all about first impressions."

The chart below gives a full rundown of the top renovations, including how much they cost, their value at resale, and the percentage that can be recouped. After garage doors, the top finisher was manufactured stone veneer, with a 94.9% return on investment. Glamorous? No. Valuable? You bet.

A new project on the list this year speaks to another decidedly unsexy but invaluable trend: installing metal roofing. Compared with asphalt shingles, metal roofing costs significantly more, but offers much greater durability. And while metal roofs only yield a 60.9% ROI, DeKorne predicts their value will increase.

"This is the first year we've included metal roofing, and it's gotten a lot of interest," he says. "It's more expensive, but you'll get a better value over time than a common asphalt roof."

And if you're absolutely dying to renovate something indoors this year, DeKorne suggests keeping it in the kitchen. While most of the projects with the highest returns are exterior replacements, a minor kitchen repair cracks the top 10, with an 80.5% recoup.

"When buyers are looking at a house, they want to know the kitchen is something they can live with," says DeKorne.

A look at return on investment for popular home renovations. 

Remodeling magazine

A look at return on investment for popular home renovations.

Contact The McLeod Group Network for all your Real Estate needs! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com. 

By: Realtor.com, Allison Underhill