by Debra on Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Remodeling a ranch house seems to be common these days. People all across the country are taking these familiar houses and remaking them into something new and exciting. Some people are remodeling a ranch house for their own family to enjoy, others are renovating to sell the home and move to something else.
When you’re remodeling a ranch house with plans to sell it, it helps to know which areas of the home will bring you the most return on your investment (ROI). In nearly all cases, it is best to remodel the kitchen and bathrooms before heading to other rooms of the house.
If you can do some of the work yourself by providing “sweat equity,” you will save yourself a good deal of money. You will also be more familiar with what has actually been done in the home whereas you may not be sure if you use outside contractors. To be sure the plumbing and electrical systems remain working, it would be best if you left those elements of the remodel to the professionals.
Ranch Style Home Kitchen Remodel
You may not want to spend a fortune renovating a house just to turn around and sell it, but there are some things that you can do that can greatly increase your chances of interesting potential buyers. Starting in the Kitchen, here are some changes you can make:
- Update the counters. Ranch style homes of the 60s and 70s had Formica countertops which were state-of-the-art at the time. Now people would prefer something more durable than laminates. Look into replacing the countertops with soapstone, tile, stainless steel, or even concrete.
- Uncover the cabinets. It has been a common practice to paint over hardwood cabinetry. Strip the paint off the cabinets and it will give your kitchen an updated and desirable look.
- Replace sinks and faucets. Older sinks may have a certain charm to them but most people want sinks and faucets that are beautiful as well as functional.
Ranch Style Home Bathroom Remodel
Bathrooms are another area of the home that will give you back a good percentage of the money you spend in the renovation.
- Replace the tub. If you can afford it, replacing the bathtub with a spa or whirlpool will appeal to most potential buyers.
- Update the bath fixtures with something beautiful. Nickel and bronze are commonly used today in place of stainless steel and brass. Be aware that some of the bath fixtures can be quite expensive.
Don’t forget that one of the simplest ways of remodeling a ranch house is to paint each room, add new molding, and new flooring. Whether done in the kitchen or bathroom, remodeling a ranch house with plans to sell can be accomplished with the assurance that you will most likely recoup your expenses.
Home Staging: Creating Buyer-Friendly Rooms to Sell Your House
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by Debra on Monday, October 13, 2008
photo credit: finna dat
Despite the political upheaval of the era, the 1960s were considered to be a time of prosperity for many in the United States. It was during this time that larger homes were being built and mankind began his race to the moon. 1960s ranch style homes continued to be popular throughout the country.
Homes of the 1960s began to expand beyond the size of the 1950s ranch homes that were so plentiful across the country. Concrete driveways became a common sight around neighborhoods and new methods of applying wall surfaces were used. There were other changes among houses of this time, as well.
Rather than having several small rooms and closets like the earlier ranch homes of the 50s, 1960s ranch style homes had larger living rooms and the bedrooms actually had room enough to hang more than a few suits and dresses. Because entertaining friends and neighbors was done more often during this time, houses of this era had larger yards to accommodate groups of people. Many even had built-in swimming pools to enjoy during the extra leisure time families had.
Raised ranch houses and other split level homes became more popular during this time especially as the 1960s drew to a close. Whereas the ranch homes of the 50s may have had a full basement, the homes of the 60s capitalized on the space with many homeowners finishing the basement for additional living space.
On the outside of the home, more care was given to landscaping around the homes during these years. Covered back and screened porches began to be seen on 1960’sRanch Style Homes particularly in the Western states.
Within the home state-of-the-art materials were used. Kitchen cabinets were made with Formica. Other cabinets were made of hardwoods and included magnetic catches and ball bearing drawer glides. Electric stoves generally replaced gas stoves and the home was also furnished with a dishwasher.
As the 1960s ended, the ranch house began to lose popularity among builders and homeowners alike. Builders seemed to become bored with this type of house and their workmanship began to suffer for their lack of enthusiasm. Buyers wanted houses that were anything but ordinary and sought out designers who could provide them with something more eclectic.
Within the last twenty years, however, the ranch style house has been having a revival of sorts. Designers and architects are using the basic 1960s ranch style house as the beginning point for creating beautiful and spacious houses today.
Today’s homes have spacious kitchens that allow for plenty of natural lighting, an improved traffic throughout the house, and larger master bedroom suites. It is true that the 1960s ranch style house may not be as popular as it once was, but it is still the backbone of many of today’s most recognizable homes.
Click Here to watch a fun video on Ranch Kitchen Remodels.
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