Idea Wednesday- Fireplaces | River Falls WI Contractors

Here's another idea for improving your home and home's value, add or update your fireplace. A fireplace is a great way to add some style and personality to your space. The fireplace that is pictured on the right is one that we created for a basement finish. It's a great get-away spot and focal point for the basement. This fireplace is composed of manufactured stone, which is a very popular look.

Below (right) we included a little more of a modern looking fireplace. This was done in a master bedroom adding a cozy feel to a modern space. Below (left) this fireplace was tapered for a unique look and we used a natural stone product. Another great way to bring the eye to your fireplace is to add lighting options.

I hope all these fireplaces and this post get you thinking of all the unique ways that you can add value to your home. The sky-is-the-limit! Contact us for a complimentary consultation and get your fireplace started today!

Idea Wednesday- Built-in Bookshelves | Hudson Wisconsin General Contractors

I thought I would try this new concept this week. It will be a weekly blogpost on construction, home ideas and design that will be a chance for me to share some great ideas for projects.

The first topic is going to be built-in bookshelves. Bookshelves are something that most (if not all) of us have in our homes. Why not save some space, create a unique look and add to the value of your home?! Built-in bookshelves can create some unique spaces. They can turn an area that could be considered wasted space (like a hall or stair landing) into a focal point and be a useful way to store all those books!

This is an example (photo above) of how I incorporated a small bookshelf into my own home. We decided to put it under the T.V. in our living room. We're thinking of also putting one in the basement when we finish it. That way we can have a reading nook to relax in! This type of book shelf can be less expensive than you might think, so call for a design consultation today!

- Bryant (715-760-5134)

Selling your home? These tips work!

I posted this story on my Facebook page about a week ago when it was originally reported on Channel 5. I know the housing market is something that has been looming over most of us and our economy. It really doesn't have to be too daunting though. Sometimes some hard work and careful planning when you put your house on the market can make a world of difference.

I'll start out with the tips that won't cost you anything, but can make your house more saleable.

-Cleaning you house from top to bottom from the windows to the corners of your kitchen floor can make a person feel welcomed and comfortable.

-De-cluttering your home can help a lot too. Pack a box and keep only about 3 items out on your end tables and maybe only one medium sized item on your coffee table. It should make sense, but be less to distract the buyer from the charm of your home. I know on the design shows they say to take all personal photos down, but I don't think it's a problem to have a few out. Just take down the shrine!

-In the summer months, keep your lawn mowed and maintained. This can really help your curb appeal.

-Fix the loose doorknobs and the adjust your doors. These little adjustments can make a big differences. When your house looks well kept, people will believe it's a good investment.

These tips are going to cost some money, but the payoff can be amazing!

-Paint! Fix all those little dings in the wall (we all have them)! and repaint. Choose a color that

shows your house well. Neutrals work well, you want a color that people can live with.

-Invest in a few dollars in some trendy home decor pieces. Bring in some textures with a couple couch pillows. Buy a new vase for the coffee table and wall art can really make a space inviting.

-New curtains or blinds. This may cost a little more, but sometimes you can even include them with the sale to sweeten the deal a little!

This last option is not for the faint of heart!

-Hire someone to come in and assess any updates or renovation that needs to be addressed. There are plenty of contractors and designers (like yours truly) who have a professional take and can give great tips to help your sale. You might also want to hire a professional stager or decorator to help (we can also do that).

*Think like the buyer you want to attract! If they are young and trendy, you might have to put a little into updating your home and decorating. If they are empty nesters, play up your homes low-maintenance features or the convenient options your home can offer.

*Play up your homes best assets. Sometimes buyers are willing to overlook a dated bathroom if the kitchen is what they want or it has a great outdoor living space.

-The best place to invest in your home that you will see a return is the curb appeal, the kitchen and bathrooms.

Really the market is not broken. I personally know a hand full of close friends who are scouring the market for their family home. The days of slapping a "for sale" sign on our homes without much effort and receiving multiple offers may be over. We just need to think like the mentality of the current home buyers. They want move-in ready and clean houses that stand out. They want to be romanced and be able to picture having a b.b.q. on that new deck or baking Christmas cookies in that awesome kitchen.

I am saying a lot of this out of first-hand experience. I think my home might be the best testimony of this approach to selling a home.

We sold our home a year and a half ago in the worst month on record for home sales! It was on the market for just over 4 weeks when we accepted an offer. Our heads were spinning and we had to scramble to find a place to live, because we closed two weeks later.

Our secret? We went through and de-cluttered our home, (if it's necessary, get a storage unit to get that garage to the bare minimum), painted and fixed all the items on that "honey do" list.

All those little details paid off and we received just under the price we put it on the market for.

Another thing to consider when you are selling, is what you are willing to sacrifice for the right buyer. We took a little less than what it was on the market for, but we in turn got a buyer who could move right in and there was no monkey business. We were then able to build our home to take advantage of lower lot prices and material prices that more than made up the difference that we lost.

Now, before you hyperventilate or go into a panic fit, we can help!

Call us for a complimentary meeting in your home. We can help you assess any areas you can improve on to sell your home. We can price out options or help you to decide where the best payoffs could be. This really works! I'm living proof!

Contact us at: bryant@pettabuildinganddesign.com or by phone at 715-760-5134

Our old home!